Women in U.S. Commerce’s NTIA Leadership Making a Difference in Tech Equity
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As technology becomes more central to everyday life, policymakers are paying close attention to who is reaping the benefits of these advancements and who is being left behind. At the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), women in key leadership positions are working hard to secure our networks, close the digital divide and bring the next generation of technology online. NTIA is committed to ensuring all Americans have equal access to the digital economy, including people of color, rural communities and others who have been historically underserved. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director, International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Development Union Doreen Bogdan-Martin began her career at NTIA in 1989 as a telecommunications specialist. Today, she is the first woman to hold a top elected management position in the Evelyn Remaley: NTIA Acting Assistant Secretary and Associate Administrator for Office of Policy Analysis and Development In addition to serving as the Acting Assistant Secretary, Evelyn leads the Office of Policy Analysis and Development (OPAD). Under her leadership, OPAD works to strengthen the U.S. response to cyber threats, protect online privacy, and develop policies that connect Americans to broadband Internet. “NTIA has a vital role to play in the digital advancement of women in the United States and around the world,” said Remaley. “Alongside Commerce Secretary Raimondo, we are dedicated to expanding broadband coverage so that those hit hardest by the digital divide can have equal access to the digital economy. We celebrate the contributions women have made to the digital ecosystem and NTIA is committed to ensuring that all woman can experience the benefits of that digital ecosystem which has become so essential to our daily lives.” Dr. Sheryl Genco, Director of the Institute for Telecommunications Sciences The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) in Boulder, Colo., is the Nation’s Spectrum and Communications Lab. ITS is led by Dr. Sheryl Genco, the first woman to lead the lab in its 100-year history. ITS is on the cutting edge of communications research, and Dr. Genco is helping to cement the United States as a 5G leader. Dr. Genco emphasized that, “critical to our country’s success is a strong and vibrant engineering workforce and a commitment to promoting and supporting STEM education for women from elementary school through graduate programs. Creativity, curiosity, and excitement in state-of-the-art applied research is a foundation for our nation’s technical leadership for the next 100 years.” Jaisha Wray, Associate Administrator for Office of International Affairs NTIA is deeply committed to international engagement as well. Associate Administrator Jaisha Wray leads NTIA’s Office of International Affairs (OIA). Prior to her time at NTIA, Wray was the Director for International Cyber Policy in the Cybersecurity Directorate of the National Security Council. OIA represents U.S. interests before international bodies, encourages secure 5G systems, and promotes worldwide Internet connectivity. Through OIA’s efforts, the United States successfully supported Doreen Bogdan-Martin’s candidacy to lead the International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Development Union. “We must continue to support the advancement of women in fields like technology and telecommunications. It has been an honor to work alongside a team of bright female leaders within NTIA and to support Doreen Bogdan-Martin’s historic role within the ITU,” said Wray. Women in leadership at NTIA extend well beyond the policy and engineering operations to include Chief Financial Officer Maggie Mitchell, Chief Information Officer Catrina Purvis, Director of Budget and Finance Laura Pettus, and Chief Counsel Kathy Smith. These women are a critical part of fulfilling the NTIA mission. NTIA’s mission is to expand broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expand the use of spectrum by all users, and ensure that the Internet remains an engine for continued innovation and economic growth. In honor of Women’s History Month, we are proud celebrate the women leaders of NTIA and look forward to future generations of women who are positioned to use and shape the technologies of the future. NTIA will continue to work with its domestic and international stakeholders to help empower women in leadership positions and to ensure access to the transformative power of the Internet. Click here to learn more about NTIA and the important role they play in our Nation’s economic growth. |
