FP Tech Forum @ UNGA78

Nathaniel C. Fick was sworn in on September 21, 2022 as the inaugural U.S. Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy.

Prior to joining the State Department, Ambassador Fick was a technology executive and entrepreneur. He was CEO of the cybersecurity software company Endgame from 2012 through its acquisition by Elastic in 2019. Thereafter, he led Elastic’s information security business globally. Ambassador Fick spent nearly a decade as an operating partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, working with management teams to build technology businesses. In 2018, he was named by Fast Company magazine as one of the “100 Most Creative People in Business,” and Endgame was selected by Forbes as one of the “100 Best Cloud Companies in the World.”

From 2009 to 2012, Ambassador Fick was CEO of the Center for a New American Security, a national security research organization in Washington. Earlier in his career, he served as a Marine Corps infantry and reconnaissance officer, including combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. His book about that experience, One Bullet Away, was a New York Times bestseller, a Washington Post “Best Book of the Year,” and one of the Military Times‘s “Best Military Books of the Decade.”

Ambassador Fick graduated with high honors in Classics from Dartmouth College and holds an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill was appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General as his Envoy on Technology in June 2022 and joined the Secretary-General’s senior leadership team as Under-Secretary-General in mid-July 2022. A thought leader on digital technology, Mr. Gill has a deep knowledge of digital technologies coupled with a solid understanding of how to leverage the digital transformation responsibly and inclusively for progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Before taking up the position as Envoy on Technology, Mr. Gill was the Chief Executive Officer of the International Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence Research Collaborative(I-DAIR)project, based at the Graduate Institute, Geneva. In 2018/19, Mr. Gill was Executive Director and co-lead of the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation. Between 2016 and 2018, he was India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. Mr. Gill holds a PhD in international learning from King’s College London, a Bachelor of Technology in electronics and electrical communications from Panjab University, Chandigarh, and an Advanced Diploma in French history and language from Geneva University. He is fluent in English, French, Hindi and Punjabi. He is married to Ashma, an educationist, and has a son and a daughter.

Brandon Wales is CISA's first Executive Director, serving as the senior career executive helping oversee execution of CISA operations. He is responsible for leading long-term strategy development, managing CISA-wide policy initiatives and ensuring effective operational collaboration across the Agency.

From November 2020 to July 2021, he was designated as the Acting Director of CISA. In this capacity, Wales oversaw CISA’s efforts to defend civilian networks, manage systemic risk to national critical functions, and work with stakeholders to raise the security baseline of the Nation’s cyber and physical infrastructure. 

Prior to serving as Executive Director, Wales directly supported the Secretary of Homeland Security from August 2017 to December 2019 and he has served DHS since 2005.

Wales' contributions have been recognized with an Exceptional Performance Award from the Director of National Intelligence, a DHS Secretary’s Award for Excellence, and two DHS Distinguished Service Medals.

From November 2020 to July 2021, he was designated as the Acting Director of CISA. In this capacity, Wales oversaw CISA’s efforts to defend civilian networks, manage systemic risk to national critical functions, and work with stakeholders to raise the security baseline of the Nation’s cyber and physical infrastructure. 

Prior to serving as Executive Director, Wales directly supported the Secretary of Homeland Security from August 2017 to December 2019 and he has served DHS since 2005.

Wales' contributions have been recognized with an Exceptional Performance Award from the Director of National Intelligence, a DHS Secretary’s Award for Excellence, and two DHS Distinguished Service Medals.

Ravi Agrawal is the editor in chief of Foreign Policy, a role he assumed in November 2020 after two years as the magazine’s managing editor. Before joining FP, Agrawal worked at CNN for more than a decade in full-time roles spanning three continents, including as the network’s New Delhi bureau chief and correspondent. Agrawal has shared a Peabody Award and three Emmy nominations for his work as a TV producer, and his writing for FP was part of a series nominated for a 2020 National Magazine Award for columns and commentary. Agrawal is the author of India Connected: How the Smartphone Is Transforming the World’s Largest Democracy. He is a graduate of Harvard University. Agrawal hosts FP’s Global Reboot podcast and is a frequent commentator on world affairs on CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and the BBC.

Dr. Mayesha Alam is vice president of research at FP Analytics where she oversees the research team and leads research development for clients and partners. She previously helped establish and served as deputy director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, and has also worked with the United Nations, World Bank, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and various nongovernmental organizations. Dr. Alam is the author of two books, Women and Transitional Justice and, with Robert Egnell, Women and Gender Perspectives in the Military, as well as reports on conflict, climate change, health, and gender. Her commentary has appeared in the Washington Post, CNN, NPR, Newsweek, and elsewhere. A nonresident senior fellow of the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research, Dr. Alam has taught at Georgetown University and New York University, and holds a Ph.D. from Yale University.

Allison Carlson is the Executive Vice President of FP Analytics & Events at Foreign Policy. She oversees FPA’s cross-cutting research at the intersection of policy, technology, and global markets as well as Foreign Policy’s global dialogues and convenings. Prior to these roles, Carlson led FP Analytics’ energy and technology team for more than a decade, evaluating evolving climate and emissions policies and identifying opportunities for advanced technology deployment internationally. Before joining FP, she led the Latin America program for a boutique consulting firm assisting European companies on investing in emerging markets’ energy and financial sectors. Carlson has presented her work at a variety of international conferences and before the U.S. Senate. She is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, where she received a master’s degree in international relations and international economics.

John Costello is deputy director and senior fellow at the Wadhwani Center for AI and Advanced Technologies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Mr. Costello joined CSIS from the White House, where he served as the first chief of staff and principal architect of the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), the first White House component created since 1988. Prior to his time at ONCD, Mr. Costello served as the deputy executive director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, where he led the commission’s work on cybersecurity, resilience, and supply chain security, as well as the commission's legislative efforts. Mr. Costello served as the deputy assistant secretary of intelligence and security at the Department of Commerce. In that capacity, Mr. Costello established the Commerce Department’s intelligence analysis capability and led the department’s information and communications technology and service supply chain analytical and regulatory efforts. Mr. Costello is a U.S. Navy veteran, serving his tours of duty at the National Security Agency as an intelligence analyst and operations officer. While at the National Security Agency, he specialized in foreign adversary cyber, electronic, and information warfare. John has a working professional proficiency in Mandarin Chinese and graduated with honors from the Defense Language Institute.

Teresa helps realize Microsoft’s mission by leading the company in their commitment to protect the fundamental rights of people around the world as Corporate Vice President of the Technology for Fundamental Rights (TFR) group.  Her team works to support people’s fundamental rights and address the challenges created by technology by promoting responsible business practices, using data and technology to expand accessibility and meaningful connectivity, and advance fair and inclusive societies. By partnering with organizations, community leaders, universities, and government agencies, they help to enable systemic change, uphold human rights and close divides.  

Over the years, she has held various other positions within Microsoft, including Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for the HR Legal Group. where she oversaw the immigration, employment law, and employment compliance practices. Before joining Microsoft in 2008, Teresa worked in private practice. 

Teresa's commitment to fundamental rights and an inclusive society extends beyond her role at Microsoft. She dedicates her time to pro-bono work in support of immigration and veterans' rights and is an active participant in the business community, partnering with local Seattle businesses and associations to highlight and advance important local issues like employment, racial equity, and community partnership.

Dr. King currently runs the Global Government Affairs and Business Development team for SAP. Recruited to SAP in 1999, Dr. King first managed executive communications for then CEO Hasso Plattner and went on to build the first global public affairs program at SAP, combining Government Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility.Dr. Caroline King was born 1965 in London. With liberal arts degrees from McGill and McMaster under her belt, she then took a big leap south of the border to complete a PhD at Georgetown University in Government. During an extended parental leave Caroline opened and managed the German office of the World Childhood Foundation founded by Queen Silvia of Sweden – a venture which is still close to her heart. She is located in Germany.

Maggie Lake is a veteran journalist with more than two decades of experience covering business, technology, politics, and international affairs. She started her career at Reuters, where she worked in both the New York and London bureaus covering economics and global finance. In 2001, she joined CNN International, where she served as a correspondent and anchor for the network’s flagship business shows. Over the course of her career, she has interviewed the world’s top CEOs, celebrities, and politicians and has been a consistent champion of economic inclusion and sustainable development. She has served as a weekly contributor for NPR and moderated events for the United Nations, World Bank, Council on Foreign Relations, and Global Citizen. She now runs the communications consultancy Maggie Lake Media and is a founding board member of the newly created Rutgers University Center for Women in Business.

TechPlomacy is a pioneering initiative elevating technology and digitalization to a crosscutting foreign and security policy priority of the Danish government. Anne Marie and her team have a global mandate and a physical presence in Silicon Valley, Copenhagen and Beijing, transcending borders and regions in rethinking the traditional understanding of a diplomatic representation.

Prior to her appointment, Anne Marie worked at the World Economic Forum in Geneva (2017-2020) where she led the World Economic Forum's work on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Global Public Goods. Her focus was on mobilizing technology companies, governments and civil society to collaboratively tackle the barriers that prevent emerging technology from scaling responsibly to help solve society’s biggest challenges.

Before joining the World Economic Forum, Anne Marie co-founded an innovation house for student entrepreneurship; co-founded Democratic Capital; worked as political advisor in the Danish Parliament; and served on the Board of Directors of Copenhagen Business School and The Danish Consumer Council.

Anne Marie Engtoft Larsen holds a M.Sc. in International Development from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in International Business & Politics from Copenhagen Business School and is a 2017 Global Leadership Fellow with the World Economic Forum.

Hodan Omaar is a senior policy analyst at ITIF's Center for Data Innovation. Her work covers U.S. policy in artificial intelligence across a range of sectors such as healthcare, education, and government. Previously, Hodan worked as a senior consultant on technology and risk management in London where she audited IT security and management controls at various firms. In addition, Hodan was an economist in Berlin where she developed a financial model for the storage of data on a blockchain database. She has an MA in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Edinburgh.

As Director of Technology Strategy and Partnerships, Michael Phillips lead’s AARP Digital Inclusion efforts, and supports the association’s social mission to empower older adults to connect and thrive throughout their longer, healthier lifespans. Michael has led internal and external technology initiatives at AARP for 20 years, including tech industry partnerships, community education programs, strategic planning, and AARP’s innovation prototyping lab. He is passionate about addressing the growing societal issues related to technology inclusion, ensuring that everyone has digital access, and advocating for inclusive design for all generations.

Golestan (Sally) Radwan (B.Sc., MBA, M.Sc.) is a Computer Scientist with expertise in AI and emerging technologies. Prior to UNEP, Sally served as Advisor to the Egyptian Minister of ICT, where she led the development and implementation of Egypt’s national AI strategy. During this time, she served as an expert and delegate of Egypt to several international organizations working on AI Policy and Regulation including UNESCO, WIPO, ITU, and OECD. She also championed and led two working groups within the African Union and League of Arab States to unify regional efforts around Responsible AI. Sally previously held several executive positions in the technology industry over 17 years, working in Germany, Austria, the UK and the US for companies including Novell GmbH, Avaya Inc. and NTT Data Europe. She earned a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering from Cairo University and an MBA from London Business School, as well as an MSc in Clinical Engineering and Healthcare Technology Management from City University of London. She is currently finalizing her PhD thesis, focusing on AI explainability and its ethical considerations in metagenomics at the Royal Holloway University of London.

Paul Scharre is the Executive Vice President and Director of Studies at CNAS. He is the award-winning author of Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. His first book, Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War, won the 2019 Colby Award, was named one of Bill Gates’ top five books of 2018, and was named by The Economist one of the top five books to understand modern warfare.

Scharre previously worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) where he played a leading role in establishing policies on unmanned and autonomous systems and emerging weapons technologies. He led the Department of Defense (DoD) working group that drafted DoD Directive 3000.09, establishing the department’s policies on autonomy in weapon systems. He also led DoD efforts to establish policies on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance programs and directed energy technologies. Scharre was involved in the drafting of policy guidance in the 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance, 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, and secretary-level planning guidance.

Prior to joining OSD, Scharre served as a special operations reconnaissance team leader in the Army’s 3rd Ranger Battalion and completed multiple tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a graduate of the Army’s Airborne, Ranger, and Sniper Schools and Honor Graduate of the 75th Ranger Regiment’s Ranger Indoctrination Program.

Scharre has published articles in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, TIME, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, Politico, and USA Today, and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, NPR, and the BBC. He has testified before the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and has presented at the United Nations, NATO, the Pentagon, the CIA, and other national security venues. He holds a PhD in war studies from King’s College London and an MA in political economy and public policy and a BS in physics from Washington University in St. Louis.

Kevin Wolf is a partner in Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP’s international trade practice.   He provides export control compliance and related advice to a wide variety of industries.  He is also a non-Resident Senior Fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET).  He is also a Special Compliance Officer for a State Department consent agreement with a defense contractor regarding alleged violations of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.  Mr. Wolf served for seven years (2010-2017) as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration in the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) at the Department of Commerce. In this role, his primary responsibility was leading the administration of the export control, licensing, and other functions of BIS. In addition, he was one of the primary architects of the Export Control Reform initiative.  He was also a Commerce Department representative to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). His professional focus for more than 30 years has been on all aspects of export controls, investment controls, and other international trade regulatory issues.