Introductory Address
Sally Wentworth is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Society and Internet Society Foundation, leading both organizations in building and protecting an Internet for everyone. Passionate about the Internet as a resource for social and economic development, and with her people-first approach, she engages with the community on critical issues affecting the Internet and showcases the life-changing impact the organizations’ work has on people across the world.
Since joining the Internet Society in 2009, Sally has focused on building coalitions among developed and developing countries and Internet stakeholders and leading the Internet Society’s work in the development, engagement, and promotion of global public policies that support and enable a globally connected Internet. Sally is particularly passionate about building bridges between Internet technical experts and policymakers.
Sally came to the Internet Society from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where she served as Assistant Director for Telecommunications and Information Policy from 2007-2009. There, she represented and advised senior officials and built multi-agency consensus around complex technical and regulatory Internet policies. She had responsibility for the government-wide coordination and implementation of policies related to Internet governance, cybersecurity, telecommunications policy, intellectual property and patent reform, privacy, and other information technology policies.
From 1999-2007, Sally served as the Economic Bureau Foreign Affairs Officer at the U.S. Department of State. As a policy advisor on Internet policy issues, she organized international public diplomacy campaigns and advised senior diplomats on complex negotiations on technology issues. She represented the U.S. on a wide range of foreign policy and technology issues in dozens of international negotiations, including for the UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Sally joined the State Department in 1999 as a Presidential Management Fellow.
Sally holds an M.A. in International Political Economy from the Claremont Graduate University (Claremont, California) and a B.A. in Political Science from Westmont College (Santa Barbara, California). She is based in Dayton, Ohio (United States).
John is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago International Finance Centre and is responsible for leading the company as it executes its mandate of driving digital financial services adoption across all sectors so Trinidad & Tobago can become a premier location for FinTech-enabled services and maintain its position as the Financial Hub of the region.
He has over 10 years of senior management experience and has worked for firms such as EY, and Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC). He has supported both public and private sector institutions with strategic guidance, fintech strategies as well as the modernisation of public financial management systems for various Governments throughout the region.
During his career, Mr. Outridge has amassed a wealth of expertise and experience in the areas such as -but not limited to – Digital Transformation, Payment Systems & Electronic Funds Transfer Implementation, and Strategy and Digital Operating Model Design for state enterprises and financial services organisations.
He holds a Master of Small and Medium Enterprise Management (distinction) from the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, Diploma from The University of Cambridge Fintech & Regulatory Innovation program, Diploma in Governance and Public Innovation for Leaders of Latin America and the Caribbean from The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill School of Business, and lectures on programmes relating to digital and technology management for the University of Bedfordshire.
John is also the Deputy Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAMTT), Digital Transformation subcommittee. This committee is focused on supporting national policy development for Trinidad and Tobago as it relates to enabling technology to facilitate both the ease of doing business as well as enhancing citizen service delivery.
Panelists
Ajmal Nazir is a renowned cybersecurity expert with over three decades of industry experience, celebrated for his profound contributions to cybersecurity, governance, and digital transformation. His extensive expertise and leadership have earned him a place on the board of directors for the ISC2 Caribbean Chapter, where he plays a pivotal role in advancing cybersecurity initiatives across the region.
Ajmal began his career with a degree in Information Systems Engineering, which launched him into the heart of London’s financial district, working for leading investment banks. He later transitioned into the networking and ISP sectors, building a strong foundation for his specialization in cybersecurity. As Chief Technology Officer at Green Dot, a major telecom provider in the Caribbean, Ajmal was instrumental in developing and implementing advanced security frameworks that utilized cutting-edge RF communication and broadcast technologies.
Ajmal is highly certified, holding credentials such as CISSP, CISM, ISO 27001 Lead Implementer and Auditor, COBIT Design and Implementation, and multiple MiTRE ATT&CK certifications. These qualifications highlight his commitment to maintaining the highest standards of cybersecurity and compliance. His expertise extends to modern software development and AI integration, enabling him to design and implement advanced security solutions while driving efficient digital transformation strategies.
Beyond his technical achievements, Ajmal is a passionate advocate for ICT advancement in the Caribbean. He actively collaborates with regulators, such as the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT), and serves as Acting Chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Internet Exchange (TTIX) and a director of the Trinidad and Tobago Multistakeholder Advisory Group (TTMAG). His work in these roles has significantly contributed to enhancing internet infrastructure and technology adoption in the region.
Ajmal Nazir’s depth of knowledge, leadership, and dedication make him a leading voice in the cybersecurity field. His efforts not only strengthen cybersecurity practices but also drive innovation and technological growth across the Caribbean.
Dr. Letetia (pronounced Le-tee-see-ya) Addison holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics and is an award-winning lecturer, statistician, and researcher at The University of the West Indies (UWI), with over a decade of experience, currently teaching at both the St. Augustine and Five Islands Campuses.
Leading her team, Dr. Addison spearheaded the AI4SIDS proposal for an AI-driven platform for climate resilience for Small Island Developing States, which won the 2024 AI Innovation Grand Challenge at COP29. She also led the 2022 Growth and Resilience Climate Data Challenge, developing a flood risk prediction prototype for the OECS. A Senior Fellow of Advance HE and recipient of the UWI/Guardian Premium Teaching Award (2024), she champions diversity and data literacy as the Women in Data Science Trinidad and Tobago Ambassador.As the leader of an AI in Climate Research Cluster within the TTLAB Data Science Group, Dr. Addison drives innovation at the intersection of AI, data science, and sustainability. Her work focuses on developing data-driven solutions for climate resilience and disaster risk prediction, establishing her as a leader in applying AI for sustainable development.
Dr. Andrew Hunte heads the School of Humanities and Education and is a Lecturer of Mathematics and Mathematics Education at the Five Island Campus – U.W.I. He is also a former Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Programme Leader for Foundations and Prior Learning at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. He holds a BSc and MPhil in Mathematics from the University of the West Indies (UWI); a MSc. in Mathematics and PhD in Curriculum and Instruction of Mathematics from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC).
Dr. Hunte is a Fulbright scholar and serves as an Assistant Chief Examiner of Additional Mathematics (CSEC) at the Caribbean Examination Council. Currently, he also serves as an Associate Editor of the Caribbean Educational Research Journal (CERJ) based at UWI, Cave Hill Campus.
Dr. Hunte has over twenty (20) years’ experience teaching at the tertiary level in the US and Trinidad and Tobago and has presented his research at several international mathematics education conferences such as the Psychology of Mathematics Education North American Chapter (PMENA), International Congress of Mathematics Education (ICME) and the American Education Researchers Association (AERA). He has received several international awards for his research and excellence in teaching.
Lev Gonick is an educator, technologist, and smart city architect. He has been teaching, working, and living on the Net for more than 25 years.
Lev Gonick is Enterprise Chief Information Officer at Arizona State University. Enterprise Technology at ASU leads the design and agile management of all enterprise infrastructure, applications, products, services and analytics. Lev also chairs the Sun Corridor Network, Arizona’s Research and Education Network.
In 2023, Lev has been recognized by the ORBIE Awards as Arizona’s top large Enterprise CIO. In 2022, EdScoop named him as a Top 50 Educational Technology influencers and leaders.
Before joining ASU in 2017, Lev Gonick was co-founder and CEO of DigitalC, the award-winning non-profit organization enabling and celebrating innovation, collaboration, and productivity through next generation broadband networks, big open data solutions, and IoT for public benefit
Lev was CIO at Case Western Reserve University from 2001-2013. He and his colleagues were internationally recognized for technology innovations in community engagement, learning spaces, and next generation network projects. Lev’s innovations, including the Case Connection Zone catalyzed national projects, including US Ignite and Gig.
Inside Business Magazine named Lev one of their Power 100 in 2015. In 2011 Government Technology awarded Lev one of their “Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers in Public-Sector Innovation.” In the same year Crain’s Business Cleveland named Gonick one its “10 Difference Makers” in Northeast Ohio and Broadband Properties honored him with their Cornerstone Award for “using fiber to build an inclusive society and empower individuals.” In 2010 he received recognition as “Visionary of the Year” from NATOA. Lev has been recognized by ComputerWorld as a Premier 100 IT leader and honored by CIO magazine with a CIO 100 Award.
