Afua Bruce is a leading public interest technologist who works at the intersection of technology, policy, and society. Afua is the Principal of the ANB Advisory Group LLC, a consulting firm that supports organizations developing, implementing, or funding responsible data and technology. Afua is an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University and an affiliate at Harvard Kennedy School’s Berkman Klein Center. Afua’s newest book, The Tech That Comes Next: How Changemakers, Technologists, and Philanthropists Can Build an Equitable World, describes how technology can advance equity.

As the Chief Communications Officer, Ernestine Benedict oversees and guides all aspects of the ZERO TO THREE’s communications functions, including digital communications, media and public relations, brand management and promotion.

Ms. Benedict brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing and communications strategy across multiple industries, including nonprofit, government, arts and culture, and technology. Before joining ZERO TO THREE, Ms. Benedict served as the Chief Communications Officer for the Campaign For Grade-Level Reading, a national effort to boost children’s early literacy and early school success. Previously, Ms. Benedict served as Chief of Communications for the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), the fastest improving school district in the United States. Prior to her role at DCPS, Ms. Benedict served as Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Reading Is Fundamental, the nation’s largest children’s literacy organization, where she created and launched Leading to Reading, an award-winning, bilingual website supporting early literacy learning for young children.

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Alexis Bonnell is the Chief Information Officer and Director of the Digital Capabilities Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. She is responsible to develop and execute the AFRL Information Technology strategy, leading the strategic development of highly advanced next-generation technologies and platforms for AFRL. Her focus includes catalyzing the discovery, development, and integration of warfighting technologies for air, space, and cyberspace forces via digital capabilities, IT infrastructure and technological innovation across the lab’s operations and culture.

She was one of the first employees of the Internet Trade Association, contributing to the early development and growth of the digital landscape. She has served in challenging environments, including warzones with the United Nations to support over $1B of critical DOD operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and many other operational theaters. She has contributed to dual-use technology and innovation culture across the DOD Innovation community including: AFWERX, AFRL, Kessel Run, NavalX, Marine Innovation Unit, Army Futures Command, DIU, Army Software Factory, DARPA and more. Prior to her current position, she was the Emerging Technology Evangelist at Google, driving the use of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, cyber security/zero trust, API First, Big Data, Cloud Computing, and others to drive efficiency and innovation within government organizations, including tackling digital transformation in defense, healthcare, education, COVID response, natural disasters, supply chain, system/process modernization, hybrid workforce and more.

Bonnell co-founded the Global Development Lab, the premier innovation lab of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), leveraging Global Allied Nation partnerships in Science, Technology, and Innovation, reviewing over 25,000 game-changing innovations and technologies, funding 1,200 of them. She served as USAID’s Chief Innovation Officer, receiving the first 10/10 for innovation in the Results For America Rankings. She was named in the Fed 100 in 2020. She also assisted with major platform and technology transitions, drove hybrid work adoption, countering malign nation initiatives and global cyber security programming.

Joel is the President and Founder of the Center for Open Data Enterprise (CODE), author of the book Open Data Now, and an internationally recognized expert on open data. Before launching CODE in January 2015 he conceptualized and led the development team for the GovLab’s Open Data 500 project, the first thorough study of the use of open government data by the private sector. Joel’s background includes government, journalism, nonprofit leadership, and consumer issues. He previously served as Chair of the White House Task Force on Smart Disclosure, and was Editorial Director and then Executive Vice President of Consumer Reports.

Laura is a technologist, lawyer and strategist with more than 15 years’ experience in aid and development. Laura focuses on principled, practical and impactful ways to use and govern technology in global social change work. She brings together deep knowledge of technology policy, practice and people across humanitarian aid and development, with applied research, software product management, and human-centered design. Laura currently serves as Senior Director, Digital Technology and Data Protection for the Regional Delegation for the US and Canada of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), where she advises on the impacts of technology on conflict, the conduct of hostilities and humanitarian action and leads related policy, learning and research initiatives.

With a background in the visual arts, and later an MSc in Political Science from the London School of Economics, André first started working in the aid sector with Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in 2006. André dedicated around 12 years to working with MSF on the frontlines and as Head of Programs in their UK headquarters. He was elected to MSF-USA’s Board of Directors in 2018. He was Country Director in a broad range of contexts including Syria, South Sudan, Yemen, Haiti, and the Central African Republic, and played a key role in the West Africa Ebola response. Andre joined the IRC as Field Director of the IRC's Ebola response in Eastern DR Congo in late 2019 and was appointed Director of the Signpost Project thereafter. Since, Signpost has grown its work from a proof of concept, operating in 3 countries, to a rapidly scaling global program, operating in over 20 countries in 15 languages on 5 continents. With over 11 million users since its start in 2015 and ongoing expansion, Signpost was awarded the prestigious United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Action Award in 2023 and was a finalist at South by Southwest Social Impact and Technology for its work in Ukraine.

Ebony Walton is a statistician at the National Center for Education Statistics. She directs the development and technical review of all reports for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)—also known as The Nation’s Report Card.  In addition to overseeing NAEP reports, data tools, and analysis, Ms. Walton directs communications that are targeted to the media, researchers, government officials, and the public.   Prior to joining NCES, Ms. Walton worked as a subcontractor to NCES researching and analyzing NAEP data.  She received both a Master in Public Policy degree and Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William and Mary.

Adele is Senior Digital Health Advisor at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) where she supports implementation of the USAID Digital Health Vision, the Agency's first policy covering its investments in digital technologies and data systems used to support country-based health programs. She also is co-author of USAID's inaugural Digital Strategy. Adele has 15 years of experience building and leading digital transformation initiatives for governments, civil society, multilateral organizations, and the private sector.

Jana Lynott is a senior policy adviser with the AARP Public Policy Institute where she is responsible for AARP's transportation research agenda. She is also the data team lead for AARP’s Livability Index, an online tool that scores every neighborhood and community in the United States against 61 indicators of livability. In this role, she ensures that all data points for the more than 80 datasets in the Index are accurate. She also oversees and performs analysis of the data to identify insights for publication and outreach.

Jana’s recent publications relate to the future of transportation and include Older Adults, New Mobility, and Automated Vehicles; Universal Mobility as a Service; and Modernizing Demand Responsive Transportation for the Age of New Mobility, the latter of which discusses the importance of open data standards for this sector. As a land use and transportation planner, Jana brings practical expertise to the research field.

Caroline Teti is a social scientist trained in Development Communications, Gender and Human Rights. She has 20 years experience working for non-profits in Africa in program design, implementation and advocacy. She currently works at GiveDirectly as the Global Director of Recipient Advocacy, based in Nairobi, Kenya. She leads the implementation of the organization’s recipients safeguarding and Advocacy pillar. On this role Caroline and her team explore lead on internal accountability for recipients safety and protection and the representation of their voices in relation to their interaction with unconditional cash. Among the focus areas are gender mainstreaming in cash transfer programming, recipient protection and safeguarding. Carolline’s role cuts across development and Humanitarian cash transfer programs. As a public speaker and advocate, she represents GiveDirectly in multiple forums and publications discussing diverse issues associated with unconditional cash and Risk mitigation. Before GiveDirectly, Caroline headed the Kenya national School Based deworming program under DewormTheWorld Initiative(One of GiveWell’s Top 5 Charities). She has worked for non-profits in East Africa and Europe and for the government of Kenya in various capacities. Caroline’s portfolio currently covers 10 countries in Africa as well as US and Humanitarian programs. In prior roles she worked in Gender and Human Rights, Parliamentary advocacy, HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health, NTDs, water and sanitation, and Microfinance.

Caitlin Augustin is the Vice President of Product and Programs at DataKind, a global nonprofit that harnesses the power of data science and AI in the service of humanity. As the Senior Director, Product, Caitlin is responsible for delivering DataKind’s core offerings, ensuring that high-quality, impactful data science interventions are delivered within the social sector. Caitlin also oversees DataKind’s Frontline Health Systems and Economic Resilience Impact Practices and is thrilled to work with and learn from so many members of the global digital health and inclusive growth communities. Prior to DataKind, Caitlin worked as a research scientist at a digital education company and as an engineering professor at NYU. A lifelong volunteer, she is a tutor with the Adult Literacy League and a leader of a community civic tech meetup. Caitlin holds a BSIE and a Ph.D. from the University of Miami.

Shadrock is a geographer, data analyst, and strategist with more than 15 years of experience in the humanitarian sector. He combines extensive experience implementing technology in complex environments, applied research, and software program management and his career has touched every point of the data lifecycle across a range of organizations in multiple countries and regulatory landscapes. He is a co-founder of USAID’s GeoCenter, where he established legal and technical workflows for community generated data and has worked on humanitarian AI projects since 2018. Shadrock is committed to ethical and practical use of technology and helping organizations build their capacity to ensure “no harm.” Shadrock currently serves as the Director of Global Data Protection and Privacy at Mercy Corps. He understands that data are never neutral and that technological advancement without change management is not a very good way to spend your time.

Heather Black serves as the Vice President for 211 System Strategy with United Way Worldwide. In this role, Heather provides strategic direction for the national 211 information and referral system and the National 211 Data Platform. Heather’s primary focus is on building partnerships with government agencies, private sector companies, and non-profit organizations seeking to improve the lives of individuals through equitable and efficient access to health and human services information. Heather previously served as Vice President at United Way of North Carolina where she led the NC 211 system and served as a key member of the leadership team for NCCARE360. During her tenure, the statewide NC 211 system experienced significant growth, including serving as the primary communication portal for the State’s responses to Hurricanes Matthew and Florence and the COVID-19 pandemic. Heather is a graduate of Meredith College in Raleigh with a B.S. degree in Business Administration and obtained a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Duke University in 2021. She has spent her career in public service working both in the non-profit sector in Washington, D.C. and in state government and non-profits in North Carolina. Heather is a member of the Blue Ridge Institute and serves on the Board of
Directors for the Blue Ridge Institute, Bess the Book Bus and Cardinal Opportunities.

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Sara Snyder is Director of Digital Programs in the Smithsonian's Office of Digital Transformation, where she leads priority pan-institutional initiatives and collaborates with museums and research centers across the Smithsonian to support their digital efforts. She has also worked in digital teams within the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery, and the Archives of American Art. She presents and publishes on a variety of topics, including digital strategy, user experience, linked open data, virtual reality, AI, and Wikimedia.

Elisabeth brings over 15 years of experience in digital communications, the nonprofit sector, and fundraising to craft and implement successful strategic communications projects, campaigns, and organizational strategies. Elisabeth also has specialized expertise in crafting communications strategies for issue advocacy sectors. Prior to joining Forum One, Elisabeth worked directly within the mission-driven sector in key roles at both the Nature Conservancy and the League of Conservation Voters. In her early career, she also worked at the United Nations in Paris and the Environmental Defense Fund. Elisabeth holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Columbia University—where she founded the Columbia Chapter of Engineers Without Borders—as well as a Master’s Degree in Global Policy Studies, International Energy, Environment, and Technology Policy from the LBJ School of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin.

As Forum One’s Chief Growth Officer, Kurt identifies and cultivates new client opportunities, and guides the expansion of Forum One’s product line to better serve clients. He leads the implementation of technology services with the overarching goal of helping clients increase their impact. He has a bachelor’s in English and Philosophy from Randolph-Macon College and a master’s in Information Systems Management from George Washington University. Kurt came to Forum One after serving as the acting CTO for the National Nonprofit Practice of Commerce One Global Services. Kurt also advises senior executives about technology, trends, investment planning, and execution.