Dr. Ott Velsberg is the Chief Data Officer of Estonia and a senior government official responsible for national data and artificial intelligence policy. He oversees the development of data governance, open data, and trustworthy AI, and leads initiatives that embed data and AI into public-sector decision-making and service delivery. Under his leadership, Estonia has gained a reputation as a trendsetter in data governance and artificial intelligence.

Miguel A. Porrúa is the Coordinator of the Data and Digital Government Cluster at the IFD/ICS Unit of the Inter-American Development Bank. Prior to this position, Miguel was a senior e-Government Specialist at the Organization of American States (OAS) where he managed the Organization´s e-Government portfolio. Previously Miguel was the Director of Government Relations for Latin America at the electronic government company govWorks, based in New York, where he oversaw various electronic government projects in the region. Prior to his arrival in the US, Miguel lived in Montevideo (Uruguay) where he managed projects related to the modernization of the public sector for the Spanish government (Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development, AECID) and the United Nations (UNDP).

EU Policy Officer at European Commission

Alex has over 30 years professional experience in a series of leadership roles that has consistently focused on building partnerships to address the world’s biggest development challenges. Alex currently serves in the Office of the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations specialized agency for digital technologies, where he is responsible for developing and managing key engagements between the ITU and its partners, including within the UN system. He also oversees several ITU wide initiatives such as Giga, Partner2Connect, and the Digital Infrastructure Investment Catalyzer.

Prior to joining the ITU, Alex worked in both the private and not-for-profit sectors. From 2018-2019, he served as President of CG/LA Infrastructure, a US based company that promotes and develops infrastructure projects around the world. From 2000 to 2018, Alex was a member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum, an international organization for public private cooperation with a mission to improve the state of the world, where he held several leadership roles including the development and rollout of the Forum’s Global System Initiatives; heading the ICT, Media & Entertainment, Basics, and Infrastructure industry teams and related projects; and heading the Center for Global Industries Geneva. From 1988-2000, Alex worked in a variety of professional roles at Accenture as a Strategy Consultant, General Motors as a Quality Control Engineer, and the US National Parks Service.

He is a licensed Professional Engineer with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University.

Ana Rita Pereira is an experienced business leader with over 25 years of expertise in consulting, technology, sales, and management, recognized for driving growth and innovation across diverse industries. Ana Rita currently leads Microsoft’s Public Sector Industries for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, covering 128 countries.

Previously, Ana Rita held senior roles at Microsoft, including leading the Education Business across EMEA, overseeing Government & Healthcare for Western Europe, and serving as Executive Director and Board Member of the Public Sector Operating Group in Portugal. Her career also includes successful tenures at Accenture and Ernst & Young in Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique, where she honed her skills in business strategy, planning, value-based selling, and people management.

Ana Rita holds a Master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Lisbon and has completed executive programs at AESE Business School and the Portuguese Catholic University. Passionate about community impact, she serves as Vice President for Corporate Partnerships at PWN Lisbon and volunteers as a mentor with Junior Achievement Portugal, Girls in Tech, and Banco Alimentar Contra a Fome.

Giulio Quaggiotto is the former Head of Strategic Innovation at UNDP. He was a Research Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is also an Honorary Research Fellow at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose. His career spans leadership roles at Climate KIC, Nesta, WWF, and the World Bank. Additionally, he managed the Jakarta Lab of the UN Global Pulse. His research interests include portfolio approaches to innovation and lead user innovation. Giulio’s passions include marsupials and Slavic philology, which make him the last person you want to be stuck in the elevator with.

Tamara Srzentić is a Montenegrin expert on digital transformation and innovation. She served as the Minister of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media in Montenegrin government and the cabinet of Zdravko Krivokapić, from 2020 to 2022, prior to which she was Deputy Director of the California Innovation Office.
With ~20 years of experience in government reform, policy & digital transformation leadership Tamara has developed a global reputation for introducing culture & practices of the digital era to help governments better serve the public. Over the past two California administrations she championed the course for the priority policy & digital reforms for the world’s 4th largest economy. Tamara built digital teams and led key open gov, data and digital service reform initiatives; her team was in charge of California’s digital response during a worldwide pandemic modeling radically human centered “test and learn” approach to public service delivery.

Micaela Sánchez Malcolm is a specialist in public innovation, digital policies, and communication. She holds a degree in Communication Sciences from the University of Buenos Aires, where she also teaches and conducts research, and a postgraduate degree in Public Policy Design and Evaluation from Pompeu Fabra University.

From 2019 to 2023, she served as Secretary of State for Public Innovation of Argentina, leading initiatives in digital government, connectivity, transparency, digital rights, and technology with a social and gender perspective.

She currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Presidency of the National Audit Office and is President of Géneras, the civil society organization that leads Women in Tech in Argentina and promotes the inclusion of women and gender-diverse people in STEM and technology sectors.

She is also co-host of CTRL X, a technology program by Corta, where she addresses issues related to artificial intelligence, digital culture, inclusion, rights, and public policy.

Chief Vision Officer, Serendipity tech

Mrs. Jana Krimpe is an internationally recognized digital identity and e-government visionary with over 15 years of hands-on experience implementing national-scale ICT solutions. She is the Founder and CEO of B.EST Solutions, an award-winning provider of Mobile-ID and digital signature technologies endorsed by the United Nations, OECD, NIST, and Google. Jana has been named among the Financial Times and Google “Top 100 Change-Makers,” One World Identity’s global “Top 100 Digital Identity Influencers,” Mastercard’s Women SME Leaders Award winners, and the “Top 100 Women of the Future” shaping emerging technologies worldwide.

She leads the Mobile-ID Consortium, serves as Advisor at the Global Trust Foundation, and Co-Chairs the Post-Quantum Cryptography Working Group. As founder of Femmes Digitales – Supporting Women in Tech, she is also a prominent advocate for women’s leadership. Jana is a sought-after speaker at global forums, contributing her expertise to the World Economic Forum, UN ESCAP, and multiple international reports.

Tiago C. Peixoto is a co-author of the Agentic State and the forthcoming World Development Report on artificial intelligence. He is also the World Bank’s lead on AI and Digital Services for the Western Balkans and Europe. Since joining the institution in 2010, he has worked with governments to design and implement digital solutions that improve public policies and service delivery.

He has been recognized as one of the 20 Most Innovative People in Democracy, and one of the 100 Most Influential People in Digital Government, and is a recipient of the Louis Brownlow Award from the American Society for Public Administration. His research has been published in the British Journal of Political Science, Public Administration Review, Journal of Information Technology and Politics, and UCLA Law Review. He holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Political and Social Sciences from the European University Institute, and an M.A. in Sociology of Organisations from Sciences-Po Paris.

Eddie Copeland is Director of the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI), the UK capital’s local government innovation team. LOTI helps London borough councils and the Mayor of London work together to bring the best of innovation, data and technology to improve public services and tackle big challenges such as climate change, homelessness and health reform. Over the past decade, he has worked with senior officials in the United Nations, European Commission as well as national and local governments around the world to support their digital, data and innovation strategies. Previously, he was Director of Government Innovation at Nesta, the innovation foundation. He is the author of seven think tank reports on government use of technology and data.

Managing Partner of Digital Nation

Eduard Mihalas is the Regional Adviser on Population and Data at UNFPA Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office. He leads UNFPA’s work on population and data, by advising governments in the region on building strong data systems and leveraging the potential of data in addressing the demographic shifts.

He previously served as a Resource Mobilization and Partnership Specialist with the Public Funding and Financing Branch in New York. In that capacity, he engaged with various donors and governments to position UNFPA’s mandate and the SDGs, successfully managing relationships with traditional partners and leading diversification efforts, particularly with emerging donors. He also led the resource mobilization efforts for the ICPD30 Global Dialogue on Demographic Diversity and positioned UNFPA’s work on demographic shifts with the largest donors of the organization.

Prior to this role, Eduard was a Population and Development Analyst for UNFPA Moldova. There, he spearheaded innovative programs that supported the Moldovan Government to take a robust shift in building demographic resilience and worked with the National Bureau of Statistics in moving towards a register-based statistical system. His work enabled Moldova to revise for the first time in 30 years the population estimates at national and sub-national level and, for the first time, to estimate international migration, in alignment with the Eurostat requirements. He also initiated strategic collaborations with the private sector to foster family-friendly policies and intergenerational solidarity.

Before joining UNFPA, Eduard was a prominent civil society leader, actively involved with the Open Government Partnership and the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum. As President of the National Youth Council, he launched groundbreaking initiatives to empower young people and established new youth policy frameworks across Moldova and Eastern Partnership countries.

Manuel Kilian is Managing Director of the Global Government Technology Centre (GGTC) in Berlin, a collaboration between GovTech Germany and the World Economic Forum. He previously founded and served as CEO of GovMind, a leading provider of GovTech intelligence, which he sold in 2024. Prior to that, Manuel worked as an Investment Manager in the FinTech space, as a Principal at Axel Springer’s technology consultancy and as Chief of Staff to the President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI). He also gained experience as a Guest Researcher at the UK Cabinet Office.

Manuel holds a Master of Philosophy in Public Policy from the University of Cambridge and completed earlier studies at Lund University, Maastricht University, and Sciences Po Paris. His career has focused on driving innovation and fostering technology adoption in the public sector.

Matt Houlihan is Vice President, Government Affairs, Europe at Cisco, where he leads the company’s engagement with policymakers across the UK and Europe. Matt and his team advocate for forward-looking technology policies that support Cisco’s mission to power an inclusive future for all. He currently chairs techUK’s International Trade group and serves on the Executive Committee of the Industry and Parliament Trust.

Prior to joining Cisco, Matt held several key roles in the UK government, including diplomatic postings in Paris and Brussels with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, a member of the Prime Minister’s EU team and in the UK interior ministry. Matt was also an advisor to the UK’s EU Commissioner.

Matt holds an MSc in European Politics and Policy and a BSc in Sociology from the London School of Economics, as well as a DipEcon from the Open University.

Pedro Tavares is Co-Founder and CEO of GovHorizon, an AI-powered platform that helps organizations anticipate regulatory changes, policy shifts, and governance challenges before they happen. The platform processes global large scale daily sources to provide early-warning intelligence for strategic decision-making across public and private sectors.

Previously, Pedro served as Portugal’s Secretary of State for Justice, where he launched Europe’s first GovTech program in the Justice sector and led digital transformation initiatives that contributed to reducing case backlogs by 25%. He also managed the BUPi Digital Land Registry project, using AI and satellite imagery to map over 30% of Portuguese properties in two years, helping to contribute to sustainable resilience and smart territories policies. Both initiatives were recognized by the OECD in its 2024 report on Portugal’s justice modernization.

Before joining government, Pedro worked in digital transformation roles at IT consulting firms, where he led enterprise modernization projects across public and private sectors.

Pedro is a founding member of the UNU AI Global Network. He holds a Master’s in Media and Web and is pursuing a PhD in Information Management at NOVA IMS, focusing on AI-enhanced strategic foresight for digital policymaking.

Estefanía del Azar is the Communications Manager at GSTC, she has a solid background in advertising and marketing, and is passionate about telling stories that inspire and connect. With an entrepreneurial mindset, she co-founded her own advertising agency, working for almost a decade with various agencies and media companies. Estefanía holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Antonio de Nebrija University, as well as an MBA and additional training in areas such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Team and Talent Management, and Online Marketing. She is a passionate learner about technology, innovation, and sustainable travel. In addition to her professional work, Estefanía volunteers in her community by leading its book club which celebrated its fourth anniversary this year. She is also an advocate for neurodiversity and inclusion, drawing on her lived experience as an AuDHD adult to promote visibility and understanding of invisible disabilities. She is based in the western mountains of Madrid, Spain where she lives with her family and beloved animals.

Angie is a Director at Public Digital who helps organisations build high-performing delivery teams and achieve digital transformation, with deep experience across the public sector, charities, and international development.

She has worked globally with clients including Bloomberg, the Inter-American Development Bank, the United Nations, NHSX, and multiple government bodies, leading major modernisation and data-driven initiatives. Previously a policy advisor in the Argentine public sector, Angie also serves as a trustee and charity officer, supporting community-focused organisations.

Désirée Heutschi is Co-CEO of Procivis and Head of Corporate Development at its parent company, Orell Füssli Ltd, based in Zurich. Before joining Orell Füssli in 2020, she served as CEO of Swiss Startup Factory, an innovation consultancy and venture-building firm in Zurich. Prior to that, she held various leadership roles at Microsoft Switzerland, focusing on digital transformation across different customer segments. From 2000 to 2004, she worked in business development and strategy at Genesys in San Francisco. Désirée holds an Executive Master of Business Law from the University of St. Gallen (HSG) and a Master’s in International Relations from the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Internationales (HEIP) in Paris.

State Attorney and Lead Counsel for Science, Technology, and Innovation for the State of São Paulo, Brazil. IDB Consultant for Public Procurement of Innovation in Brazil and Latin America. PhD and LL.M. at the University of São Paulo and Fellow in AI and Machine Learning at the World Economic Forum.

Johannes Mikkonen is a Senior Policy Expert at Demos Helsinki, where he works on the societal impacts of digital technologies and AI. He has conducted case studies on AI and automated decision-making in the Nordic public sector and has advised ministries, Prime Minister’s Offices, and EU institutions on digital transformation and AI policy. Johannes has also developed frameworks for non-discriminatory AI and contributed to several large European research initiatives on democracy and anticipatory technology governance. Previously, he served as an advisor on AI, data, and digital policy at the European Parliament. He holds a Master’s degree in Political Science.

Idoia is a recognized expert on govtech and advises local and national governments on govtech innovation ecosystems and public policies. She holds an MBA from MIT, a MA in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, and in 2019 was recognized by Apolitical as one of the world´s 100 most influential people in digital government.

Laman Ibrahimova heads up the newly established ASAN AI Hub, leading the digital platform’s efforts to bring together government, business, and academia on a unified digital platform to promote artificial intelligence (AI) innovation in Azerbaijan. In parallel, Laman serves as Advisor to the Director of Innovations Center, operating under the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. She has previously conducted independent research into Responsible AI Stewardship in the Public Sector through the University of Sheffield and the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

Under her leadership, the ASAN AI Hub is fostering open AI innovation by openly posting technical challenges on the platform, enabling users to submit solutions and compete for prize funds. Through this work, Ibrahimova is positioning ASAN AI Hub as a catalyst for responsible, collaborative AI innovation that connects public-sector challenges with diverse expertise across society.

Kelly Ommundsen is the Head of Digital Inclusion and a Member of the Executive Committee for the World Economic Forum. She combines her expertise in technology, policy, and partnerships with a deep commitment to social equity to drive meaningful systems change. Through several flagship initiatives she is leading, including the Global GovTech Network, EDISON Alliance, and the Global Regulatory Innovation Platform (GRIP), she champions public-private collaboration to modernize governance and ensure technology works for people.

Previously, Kelly served as the Chief of Staff to the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum for over 5 years and was responsible for creating the Forum’s pioneering presence in the metaverse. Kelly has previously led the Forum’s government and regional partnerships for its technology agenda and was responsible for the organization’s relationship with the U.S. Government.

Kelly has a diverse background in the public sector and civil society. She also holds a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan.

Secretari de Telecomunicacions i Transformació Digital de la Generalitat de Catalunya

As Head of GovTech at Heliad, Ibrahim is responsible for a dedicated GovTech & DefenseTech investment strategy. He previously headed the GovTech division at PwC and, as a venture developer and shareholder representative. He has also been involved in the GovTech Campus in Berlin since its establishment. Before focusing on venturing activities, he spent many years advising the public sector at KPMG & PwC at EU and federal level on strategic digitalization initiatives and the establishment of new organizations, e.g. in the area of digital sovereignty and security.

Dr. Libby Maman is a researcher, speaker, and consultant expert in trust, governance, measurement, and regulation. Her award-winning research has been published in leading political science and public administration journals, providing a rigorous foundation for her work with governmental bodies, corporations, and NGOs. She is a lecturer at ESADE and is the founder of Luminata Consulting.

Sandra Martigue is the Digital Business Development Director for EMEA at SICPA, where she leads strategic collaborations with governments, regulators, and industry partners across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In her role, she focuses on strengthening SICPA’s digital trust portfolio, including solutions in traceability, tokenization, data integrity, and advanced digital security.

Her work includes supporting key solutions such as SICPA Guardian®, which is dedicated to allocating social subsidies and shaping social welfare policies, and SICPA Detect®, which helps enforcement authorities protect regulated markets from illegal activities. Together, these solutions enhance authenticity, transparency, and resilience in critical ecosystems by enabling real-time monitoring, fraud prevention, and the protection of high-risk or high-value goods.

Sandra is passionate about advancing innovative, future-focused technologies that strengthen sovereignty and protect trust and public-interest infrastructures. She advises institutions on digital transformation strategies and promotes the adoption of trusted technologies to improve compliance, safeguard citizens, enhance operational visibility, and reduce risk. Working closely with SICPA’s leadership and regional teams, she helps build long-term partnerships and contributes to the development of digital sovereignty frameworks across EMEA.

Before joining SICPA, Sandra built over 20 years of experience in leadership roles at the intersection of technology, data, security, and innovation. She held senior business development and executive positions at global organisations including Dataminr, Nielsen, and Microsoft. In these roles, she led growth strategies, supported highly regulated sectors, and guided organisations through major technological shifts such as digitalisation, real-time intelligence, data-driven decision-making, and AI-enabled risk management.

Throughout her career, Sandra has worked closely with European agencies, national authorities, and international organisations on crisis management, digital security, and emerging regulatory frameworks. Her professional journey reflects a strong commitment to aligning innovation with the public interest.

She holds an Executive Master’s in Marketing Management and Business Strategy from HEC Paris, as well as specialised certifications in analysis and crisis management from the École de Guerre Économique in Paris.

Jaume Miralles is the Director General of Artificial Intelligence, Efficiency and Data in the Administration. He comes from the private sector, with more than 25 years of experience in ICT consulting, mainly at IBM, and specializes in artificial intelligence, data, and public sector digitalization solutions. He has also taught in various postgraduate courses and has written a book on AI projects.

PhD in Tourism. More than 25 years of experience in the tourism sector in the areas of strategy, market intelligence, tourism policy and innovation. Senior Director for Strategy & Knowledge Management at Turismo de Portugal and Chairman of OECD Tourism Committee. Vice-Chair of the UN Tourism Committee on Statistics.

Tourism Expert in several workgroups from international organizations such as EU, UNWTO, OECD, ETC and WEF.

Invited Professor at Nova School of Business and Economics, Nova Information Management School and Universidad Europea das Canarias.