ALLISON BREMNER
@allisonbremner
Technology and public policy expert driving innovation in Africa.
What I'm looking for
I am H.E. Ambassador Philip Thigo, MBS, a dedicated technology and public policy expert serving as the Special Envoy for Technology for the President of Kenya. My mission is to position Kenya as a global leader in critical and emerging technologies, particularly in Artificial Intelligence. I work closely with the President and various stakeholders to ensure our strategies foster innovation while promoting a secure and inclusive digital future for all Kenyans.
Throughout my career, I have been recognized for my contributions to digital governance and technology advocacy. Notably, I was named one of the World's 100 most influential Kiswahili people in digital government by Apolitical in 2018 and listed among Africa's Top 100 Most Influential Leaders in Technology in 2023. My work with the United Nations and various global organizations underscores my commitment to ethical and inclusive technology development.
As a leader, I prioritize research and policy development to ensure that our approach to technology aligns with national development goals. I am passionate about fostering partnerships that drive investment and innovation, reinforcing Kenya's position as a hub for technological excellence in Africa.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Chairman
Mama Doing Good
Aug 2021 - Present (4 years)
Chairman of the Board of Mama Doing Good, a non-profit organization working towards empowering society through women economic-financial inclusion.
Special Envoy on Technology
Republic of Kenya
Jun 2024 - Present (1 year 2 months)
As Kenya's Special Envoy on Technology, my role centres on advancing techplomacy to position Kenya as a global leader in critical and emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and other frontier innovations. As an advisor, I work closely with the President, ensuring our strategies and policies drive innovation while fostering a safe, secure, inclusive, and trustworthy digital future f
Advisory Board Member
Swahilipot Hub
Nov 2020 - Present (4 years 9 months)
Advisory Board Member for Swahilipot Hub.
Executive Director
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Jan 2023 - Mar 2025 (2 years 2 months)
Led Thunderbird's Global Leadership Work in Africa, collaborating with African Governments, Private Sector, Academia, Innovators and Civil Society to shape Africa's leadership in the 4th Industrial Revolution.
High Level Advisory Board Member
United Nations
Oct 2023 - Dec 2024 (1 year 2 months)
Appointed to the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Body on AI to provide diverse perspectives and options on how AI can be governed for the common good, aligning internationally interoperable governance with human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Senior Advisor, Data and Innovations
Office of the Deputy President, Legislative & Inter-govermen
May 2015 - Feb 2023 (7 years 9 months)
Led initiatives on Innovations and Data, including the Kenya National Partnership on Sustainable Development Data. Served as Point of Contact for the Open Government Partnership Initiative (OGP) and Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data.
Information liaison, Africa
Foundation El Taller Africa Regional Office
Jul 1999 - Mar 2001 (1 year 8 months)
Managed information liaison for Africa, focusing on overall program development and mainstreaming of youth issues. Led policy development and negotiations related to youth.
Senior Director for Africa
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Jan 2019 - Feb 2023 (4 years 1 month)
Led the Africa Hub in Nairobi, bringing Thunderbird's Global Leadership on the 4th Industrial Revolution to Africa.
Technical Advisor for Data, Innovations and Open Government
Executive Office of the Deputy President
Jan 2019 - Dec 2020 (1 year 11 months)
Provided strategic support and leadership to the Presidency on Africa's Global Leadership on Data, Innovations, and Open Government.
Advisor to the Cabinet Secretary on Data & Communication
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
Nov 2016 - Jan 2018 (1 year 2 months)
Advised the Cabinet Secretary on Data & Communication for the Government of Kenya.
Executive Director
Infonet Africa
Jan 2014 - Dec 2016 (2 years 11 months)
Served as the CEO of Infonet Africa.
Director, Strategy and Partnerships
Infonet Africa Limited
May 2013 - Jan 2014 (8 months)
Directed Strategy and Partnerships for Infonet Africa Limited.
Associate, Strategic Partnerships
Social Development Network
Jul 2007 - May 2013 (5 years 10 months)
Managed strategic planning, overall development, and management of programmes. Served as point person for strategic private-public partnership initiatives and managed information systems including extensive relational databases.
Programs Consultant
Foundation El Taller
Jul 2007 - Aug 2010 (3 years 1 month)
Developed overall programs for the Foundation's regional offices in Asia, Latin America, and the Arab World.
Program Officer, Youth
Foundation El Taller
Apr 2001 - Jul 2007 (6 years 3 months)
Coordinated Youth Initiatives and integrated Youth Content and issues into the overall organizational framework. Developed educational programmes and integrated gender principles.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
Kenya Institute of Management
Systems Analysis, Management of Information Systems
1996 - 1999
Studied Management of Information Systems with a focus on Systems Analysis. Gained foundational knowledge in information systems and their application.
Tech stack
Software and tools used professionally
Availability
Location
Authorized to work in
Job categories
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