Bio
I’m currently working as an independent consultant, addressing strategic challenges for private and non-profit companies operating in the intersection of technology and international development.
I recently left an amazing job at Google.org where I worked to develop a strategy to harness Google's resources to further the Internet environment in the world's least developed countries. As part of my work at dotorg, I co-authored "Best Practices for Liberia’s Internet Ecosystem," a white paper outlining to establish a strong foundation for the Internet in Liberia.
During the summer of 2009 I worked in the Liberian Government's newly formed Philanthropy Secretariat -- a small team coordinating private foundation support for the country. One of my primary responsibilities was determining how philanthropists can best support information and communication technology, which was incredible because it led to me interfacing with cabinet members on telecommunications policy. I also oversaw the development of the Philanthropy Secretariat's website: www.supportliberia.com.
Prior to the Kennedy School I spent nearly four years at Google working on strategic projects relating to building Google's business internationally: from launching its first sales offices in Latin America and Asia; to developing its mobile phone strategy in China, Korea, and Japan; to deciding where to locate engineering offices around the word; to launching YouTube internationally. It was a truly phenomenal experience that took me to more than twenty countries around the world on behalf of my work.
Earlier in my career I worked as a management consultant for Accenture, focused on the communications and technology industry. There I had an opportunity to gain a little bit of exposure to all things tech: enterprise software companies, hardware OEMs, broadband providers, Internet companies, and semiconductor manufacturers.
I hold a master's degree in Public Administration and International Development (MPAID) from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. Because of its emphasis on advanced economics, I'm convinced it's the best development degree out there. In fact so convinced it was the only one I applied to. My master’s thesis, written in collaboration with former SEACOM CEO Brian Herlihy and published on ICTworks, focuses on East Africa's broadband infrastructure and outlined policy recommendations for Tanzania’s national backbone.
In what feels like a former life at this point, I earned a BS from Berkeley in Engineering Physics, and even spent a summer working in Geneva at CERN, which houses the world's largest particle accelerator. My father and grandfather were both engineers. Being the only member of my generation in my family, following in their footsteps was the natural thing to do.
When I'm not geeking out on international development, most of my energy goes into raising my amazing little girl. With the little time left that I carve out for myself, I try to make it onto the yoga mat. I've been an Ashtangi since 2006 and even spent a month in Mysore, India practicing at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute with Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharath.
I recently left an amazing job at Google.org where I worked to develop a strategy to harness Google's resources to further the Internet environment in the world's least developed countries. As part of my work at dotorg, I co-authored "Best Practices for Liberia’s Internet Ecosystem," a white paper outlining to establish a strong foundation for the Internet in Liberia.
During the summer of 2009 I worked in the Liberian Government's newly formed Philanthropy Secretariat -- a small team coordinating private foundation support for the country. One of my primary responsibilities was determining how philanthropists can best support information and communication technology, which was incredible because it led to me interfacing with cabinet members on telecommunications policy. I also oversaw the development of the Philanthropy Secretariat's website: www.supportliberia.com.
Prior to the Kennedy School I spent nearly four years at Google working on strategic projects relating to building Google's business internationally: from launching its first sales offices in Latin America and Asia; to developing its mobile phone strategy in China, Korea, and Japan; to deciding where to locate engineering offices around the word; to launching YouTube internationally. It was a truly phenomenal experience that took me to more than twenty countries around the world on behalf of my work.
Earlier in my career I worked as a management consultant for Accenture, focused on the communications and technology industry. There I had an opportunity to gain a little bit of exposure to all things tech: enterprise software companies, hardware OEMs, broadband providers, Internet companies, and semiconductor manufacturers.
I hold a master's degree in Public Administration and International Development (MPAID) from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. Because of its emphasis on advanced economics, I'm convinced it's the best development degree out there. In fact so convinced it was the only one I applied to. My master’s thesis, written in collaboration with former SEACOM CEO Brian Herlihy and published on ICTworks, focuses on East Africa's broadband infrastructure and outlined policy recommendations for Tanzania’s national backbone.
In what feels like a former life at this point, I earned a BS from Berkeley in Engineering Physics, and even spent a summer working in Geneva at CERN, which houses the world's largest particle accelerator. My father and grandfather were both engineers. Being the only member of my generation in my family, following in their footsteps was the natural thing to do.
When I'm not geeking out on international development, most of my energy goes into raising my amazing little girl. With the little time left that I carve out for myself, I try to make it onto the yoga mat. I've been an Ashtangi since 2006 and even spent a month in Mysore, India practicing at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute with Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharath.
