Geography: Sub-Saharan Africa

  • Kathleen McGrath

    Kathleen McGrath holds the position of Privacy and Data Policy Manager for the Centre for Information Policy Leadership in London. Her work focuses on a range of privacy and data related issues such as in Artificial Intelligence, protecting minors online and data governance. Before joining CIPL, Kathleen worked in Knowledge Management at a silver circle law firm in their data protection and cyber security team where Lovells where she was responsible for conducting long term research, in-depth global horizon scanning and discrete research tasks for lawyers across the world. She produced numerous articles for publications such as the Institute of Privacy Professionals, Privacy Laws and Business and others in global data policy, including UK data protection laws, artificial intelligence, cyber security, and international digital cooperation. She has also previously worked in-house in data protection compliance for large organizations in the auditing industry as well as in the financial industry, where she was responsible for creating accountability processes to ensure the business complied with data protection laws.

  • Julie Dawson

    Julie Dawson leads regulatory and government relations for Yoti digital age & identity platform, developing policy approaches for fraud prevention and safeguarding and liaising with national and sectoral trust frameworks, in conjunction with Yoti’s internal and external ethics boards. Julie is an authority in digital identity policy and governance, is CoChair of the Age Verification Providers Association and represents Yoti at fora including techUK Growth Council & Digital Identity working group, the Association of Digital Verification Professionals, WeProtect Global Alliance and the Online Safety Tech Industry Alliance . Yoti has a team of over 400 people, is headquartered in London and counts over 15 million instals of the Yoti app and over 800 million age checks.

  • Jessica Zucker

    Jessica Zucker is a senior technology policy leader currently serving as Director of Online Safety Policy at Ofcom, where she co-leads a 120-person team implementing the UK’s groundbreaking Online Safety Act. With over a decade of experience at the intersection of technology, policy, and safety, she has shaped global approaches to safety governance, content moderation, and platform accountability.

    At Ofcom, Jessica manages regulatory frameworks for major tech platforms, pioneered transparency reporting standards, and led crisis response during critical public safety events. Previously, as Head of Misinformation Policy for EMEA at Meta and the global Head of Health Misinformation Policy, she created global policies affecting 2+ billion users and managed high-stakes decisions during COVID-19, elections, and international conflicts.

    Her career spans leadership roles at Microsoft, where she developed cybersecurity strategies and trained over 1,000 election officials across the EU, and the U.S. State Department’s Cyber Policy Office. A Fulbright Scholar and Harvard Kennedy School graduate (M.A. Public Policy), Jessica began her career founding an education nonprofit in South Korea.

    Known for driving organizational transformation and building strategic partnerships, Jessica regularly testifies before Parliament, speaks at major conferences, and serves as a media spokesperson on safety and online harms.

  • Jessica Mills

    Jessica Mills is a digital policy specialist with expertise in data governance, cross-border data flows, and regulatory engagement. She has led global advocacy initiatives with governments and regulators, contributed to flagship policy reports, and coordinated multistakeholder forums on digital rights, child online protection, and telecom fraud prevention. Jessica has a strong track record of translating complex policy issues into actionable strategies and is passionate about building inclusive, rights-respecting digital ecosystems.

  • Jennifer Reed

    As Head of the Policy Impact Unit at UCL, based within the Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP) Jen oversees a broad portfolio of tech policy projects from neuromorphic computing to AI.

    Her primary area however is technology-facilitated abuse (tech abuse) in relation to domestic abuse, and gender-based violence. Jen is the policy adviser for the UCL Gender and Tech Research Lab.

    She has 15 years experience working in public policy, including roles within the UK Civil Service and Parliament.

  • Hyeona Kim

    I’m a mission-driven Policy & Program Manager with a global track record across tech, public affairs, and regulatory compliance. At TikTok, I’ve led governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) efforts in monetization, streamlining policy operations while navigating complex global regulations.

  • Hannah Swirsky

    Hannah is the Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which works to make the internet a safer place and prevent the spread online child sexual abuse imagery globally. Hannah and her team work to positively influence policy makers, both nationally and internationally, to create and implement legislation and policy that effectively prevents and combats child sexual abuse online.

    Hannah previously worked as Public Affairs Manager for Samaritans and was named one of the 30 To Watch: Politics Awards 2023 by MHP Group. She has worked on several advocacy campaigns and began her career working in the UK Parliament as a Researcher to an MP. She holds an MSc in Human Rights from LSE.

  • Gaia Marcus

    Gaia Marcus is Director of the Ada Lovelace Institute. Prior to joining Ada, Gaia was Deputy Director (Advanced Analytics and Local Capabilities) at the Spatial Data Unit within the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). In this role, she led on ensuring that data and data-driven analysis were used to support policymaking and service delivery.

    Gaia has extensive experience of leadership roles across the civil service and the non-profit sector. In government she has held roles as Deputy Director (Strategy for the Integrated Data Service) at the Office for National Statistics, Head of Engagement for Civil Service Reform at the Cabinet Office, and Head of National Data Strategy at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

    In the non-profit sector, Gaia specialised in data strategy and participatory approaches to research, innovation and policy. This included roles at Parkinson’s UK, Centrepoint and the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. She also serves on the Samaritans’ Board of Trustees.

  • Felicia Anthonio

    Felicia Anthonio is GlobalCampaign Manager – #KeepItOn at Access Now, an organisation which campaigns to promote digital rights and freedom of expression. The #KeepItOn Campaign is global campaign of over 345 organizations that fights against internet shutdowns. Felicia leads the coalition strategic advocacy and campaigns to mobilize and engage various stakeholders to end internet censorship around the globe. Felicia has authored and co-authored several publications on internet shutdowns and hosted the Kill Switch Podcast. Felicia is also an Advisory Council member of the US-based Open Technology Fund (OTF) and a board member of the World Expression Forum (WEXFO), in Norway.

  • Elise Soucie Watts

    Elise is the Executive Director of Global Digital Finance (GDF), board member, and also board advisor to several firms on policy & regulatory issues. She is also the co-host of the podcast The Outside Context which considers how technology is impacting the future of civilisation.

    Previously, she was at the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME), leading Digital Assets and Data Strategy work, and prior to that she worked at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), across both their Technology, Resilience and Cyber Division. and International Division.

    Named ‘Next Generation Leader of the Year’ at the 2022 Women in Finance Awards UK, and part of the Innovate Finance Standout 45 on the Women in Fintech Powerlist 2024 as a Regulatory and Policy Expert, Elise’s dual public and private sector experience positions her to lead both regulatory advocacy and contribute technical knowledge to support the growth of the digital finance ecosystem.