Omidyar Network is a social change venture that works to bring about structural changes that will fundamentally shift the systems that govern our lives. As Omidyar Network’s first Senior Vice President of Programs, Michele Jawando oversees the global mission of the program teams of its three Impact Themes: Responsible Technology, Reimagining Capitalism, and Pluralism as Omidyar Network attempts to tackle the biggest, most intractable challenges facing the planet in the decades ahead. Before joining Omidyar Network, Michele Jawando was the Head of US Strategic Engagement and Public Policy Partnerships at Google. As an executive leader and senior member of their Public Policy team, she was responsible for developing strategic relationships and partnerships with elected officials, think tanks, nonprofits, and thought leaders across the US. In that role, she helped to direct over $80 million of resources on issues related to elections, cybersecurity, gender equity, disability rights, and more. Prior to Google, Michele Jawando served as Vice President at the Center for American Progress, a think tank dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through progressive ideas and action. Building on the achievements of progressive pioneers such as Teddy Roosevelt and Martin Luther King, her work at CAP addressed 21st century challenges such as national security, climate, race and gender equity, economic growth and opportunity, civic participation, and health care. Michele Jawando has also served as General Counsel and Senior Advisor to United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Foreign Relations Chair, Congressman Gregory Meeks, where she spearheaded bipartisan legislative achievements on behalf of each of the members, including passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act ( DADT), and the confirmations of Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan among others. A regular commentator for international and US tv, print and radio, Jawando is an author, serial entrepreneur and afro-tech futurist who believes across our differences we can create and build the future we desire. Attorney Jawando, received her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law and her B.A. from Hampton University. She is the wife of Honorable William Jawando, Esq. of Maryland and the mother of four young children.