As AI continues to reshape industries, the focus must shift toward creating systems that uplift human dignity and creativity. Michelle Jawando, president of the Omidyar Network, emphasizes that “technology at its highest zenith should dignify labor, augment human creativity, and center humanity.”
Learn how organizations can harness AI to empower workers, build trust, and support human flourishing — ensuring technology becomes a tool for shared power, equitable prosperity, and expansive possibility rather than a force for exclusion or displacement.
Episode Guest
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Michele Jawando
Michele L. Jawando serves as president at Omidyar Network, where she oversees a multimillion-dollar portfolio and spearheads the organization’s efforts to make technology work in the service of society. She seamlessly integrates emergent issues, narrative development, inclusive investment strategies, and policy work across all initiatives of this philanthropic organization, which has committed more than $1.94 billion to organizations that share its vision since its inception.
Drawing on her legal expertise, Michele brings critical perspectives on open source systems, digital infrastructure, standards development, and internet governance, ensuring that cultural inclusion and digital rights inform the work at every level. Under her guidance, Omidyar Network has built a significant portfolio in responsible technology development and AI governance, supporting more than 100 organizations, including Pop Culture Collaborative, Partnership for AI, Anthropic, Digital Cooperation Fund, and BIA, among others.
Prior to joining Omidyar Network, Michele served as the U.S. Head of Strategic Engagement and Public Policy Partnerships at Google, where she managed cross-departmental strategic relationships with political leaders, nonprofits, and think tanks. She co-led the 2020 Global Election Integrity team and created innovative global digital strategy initiatives. Her extensive public service experience includes roles as Vice President at the Center for American Progress, General Counsel and Senior Advisor to U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Counsel to Foreign Relations Ranking Member, Congressman Gregory Meeks.
A recognized thought leader in law and technology policy, Michele serves on the Aspen Institute’s AI Elections Initiative Advisory Council and as an advisory member to Paradigm, a research-driven crypto investment firm. Her board affiliations include Hampton University’s Board of Trustees and the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy Advisory Board.
As an attorney, author, and futurist, Michele consistently shapes global conversations at the intersection of technology, innovation, and social change. She is a regular commentator for international and US media outlets, bringing her insights on AI and tech policy, law and governance, social impact, democracy, and philanthropy to a global audience.
Michele holds a J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law and a B.A. from Hampton University.
Episode Transcript
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