Vera Zakem is an accomplished leader that seeks to achieve impact at the intersection of technology, global policy, growth, democracy and human rights, and social impact. She is a recognized expert on building societal resilience in emerging markets, democracy and human rights, cybersecurity, corporate social responsibility, and responsible innovation.

 

Vera is currently serving as the Senior Advisor for Technology and Democracy at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where she leads digital democracy to ensure technology supports democracy and human rights globally. Previously, she was the Founder of Zakem Global Strategies, a mission driven consultancy that worked with government, civil society, and emerging technology companies to address digital threats to democracy. Vera was also a Senior Technology and Policy Advisor at the Institute for Security and Technology and a Non-Resident Senior Associate with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Most recently, Vera was a  member of the Task Force to Strengthen Democracy and Counter Authoritarianism globally, co-leading the the technology and democracy policy agenda. Beforehand, she spent many years leading foreign policy strategy, research, private sector engagement, CSR and social impact, and policy development for various organizations. 

 

As a working mom, she is an ardent champion of diversity and inclusion in industry and public institutions, and is passionate about elevating women from all backgrounds in all sectors of society.