Mario Maniewicz began his second term as Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau (BR) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023.
He first took office in January 2019, following his election at the at ITU's 2018 Plenipotentiary Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and was re-elected at the 2022 Plenipotentiary Conference in Bucharest, Romania.

Mr Maniewicz is an electronics engineer specialized in telecommunications. He has been with ITU for over 30 years, holding various management positions in the Radiocommunication and Development Bureaux as well as in ITU Regional Offices.

Ms. Bernadette Lewis was appointed as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation in August 2020. This is a historic appointment as she is the first female Secretary-general in the 120-year history of the CTO. This is indeed a major accomplishment that should encourage women everywhere to strive for the mastery of whatever profession they may choose and especially in science and technology.

Breaking the glass ceiling is not new to Ms. Lewis; she was also the first female Secretary-General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and she is credited for making the CTU the foremost information and communication technology (ICT) inter-governmental institution in the Caribbean.

A national of Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Lewis brings to the CTO a wealth of experience in public and private sectors and is knowledgeable in national and regional ICT issues. The 4th Industrial Revolution, the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated financial contagion, is changing the world irrevocably, ushering us into an environment of unprecedented uncertainty. For the CTO, surviving, indeed thriving in this environment will necessitate innovative leadership, a deep understanding of ICT and faith and courage to deviate from the beaten paths of 20th Century thinking to build a 21st century organisation that is relevant and serves its members with integrity and excellence. Ms. Lewis brings these qualities to the CTO.

David Willis is Group Director for Spectrum, responsible for leading Ofcom's work managing the UK's airwaves.
Prior to joining Ofcom in 2022, David spent 5 years with the Canadian spectrum regulator with roles leading the research lab, engineering team and international work. Prior to that held a variety of product leadership roles with telecom equipment vendors.

Olivia Trusty was nominated to serve as a Commissioner of the FCC by President Donald J. Trump. She was confirmed by the United States Senate in June 2025.
Prior to joining the Commission, Commissioner Trusty served as a Professional Staff Member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services under the leadership of U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker. She previously served as a Policy Director on the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and a Legislative Assistant in the Office of U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker. Before her tenure as a Senate aide, Commissioner Trusty served as a Professional Staff Member on the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce and a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Congressman Bob Latta. Commissioner Trusty began her career in the private sector.
Commissioner Trusty received her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her M.A. from Georgetown University.

• Co-Chair of the RSPG Working Group delivering a long-term vision for the upper 6 GHz band.
• Previously, Co-Chair of the RSPG Working Group, Peer Review.
• Since 2014, German Representative in the RSC and ECC.
• From 2010 to 2014, responsible for planning, concept development, and design of Internet access in the "Networks of the Federal Government," including firewall systems, malware protection, content filtering, and botnet detection.
• From 1999 to 2010, Project Manager at Verizon Business for Voice, Data, Internet, and Security Services.
• Prior to that, I worked for a German Mobile Network Operator.
• I have a diploma in Electrical Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences Gelsenkirchen.

Vice chair of Electronic Communications Committee (ECC), which develops spectrum management policies to enable digital connectivity for all. Experienced policy advisor. Coordinator International Affairs at the Spectrum management department of the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure (former Radiocommunications Agency). Educated in economics (MSc) and technics (BSc). Expert in government policy using standardisation, conformity assessment and accreditation, and enforcement policies.

Charley Lewis (PhD, MComm) has extensive experience across the wide field of ICT sector policy and regulation, covering broadband and telecommunications, broadcasting and the Internet. Covering a wide variety of key areas, his expertise ranges from universal access and service, through the digital divide, consumer protection, quality of service, statistics and indicators, to spectrum management and the 4th industrial revolution and 5G.
Dr Lewis’ varied career includes teaching Mathematics and English at high school level; Information Systems Analyst in the banking sector; Head of IT at COSATU (Congress of SA Trade Unions); Senior Lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand; Independent Analyst and Researcher; and Councillor at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa. He has managed and taught professional development and academic courses on ICT policy and regulation to policy-makers, regulators, and industry practitioners.
Dr Lewis holds a BA Hons in English, a Higher Education Diploma, an M Comm in Management of Information Systems, and the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. He is an experienced researcher and a published author, with his book, Regulating Telecommunications in South Africa: Universal Access and Service (Palgrave Press, 2020) following on from the research for his award-winning PhD thesis.
Dr Lewis was part of the Ministerial Task Team on a Post-Covid-19 Economic Response Strategy, having previously served on South Africa’s National ICT Policy Review Panel (2012-2015).
Most recently, Dr Lewis was appointed to serve a second four-year term as Councillor at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, his first term running from 2020 to 2024, six months of which was in the role of Acting Chairperson of Council.

Alexander Kühn is the Head of Section on International and National Spectrum management at the German regulatory authority - BNetzA. The Section is responsible for spectrum strategy in the European Union and the authorization for experimental spectrum use. He is based in Bonn, Germany.
Alexander has over 15 years of professional experience in national and international spectrum regulation. Since 2004, his activities focused on international spectrum aspects, in particular participating in CEPT and ITU-R meetings. He chaired the WRC preparation of CEPT from 2013 to 2019 and is currently a Vice-Chairman of the ITU conference preparatory meeting to WRC-23 (CPM).
His career started in 2002 in the German NRA in the area of electronic signatures and the governance of relevant service providers. He holds second level degree in law.

An electronic and telecommunications engineer with more than 18 years of experience in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, he is a career civil servant at Spain’s Ministry for Digital Transformation and Civil Service. He serves as Deputy Director for Radio Spectrum Planning and Management within the Secretariat of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures, where he leads activities related to radio spectrum planning, management, and policy development.

Throughout his career, he has played a key role in shaping Spain’s spectrum strategy and advancing initiatives that support innovation, connectivity, and digital transformation. His work encompasses national and international spectrum policy, regulatory frameworks, and coordination with stakeholders across government, industry, and international organizations.

Since January 2026, he has served as Chair of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG), the high-level advisory body that assists the European Commission in the development of radio spectrum policy and strategic spectrum-related initiatives across the European Union.

Charles Cooper is Associate Administrator for NTIA’s Office of Spectrum Management. He leads the agency’s work on national and international spectrum policy issues and oversees spectrum management efforts for federal agencies.

Previously, Cooper was the Enforcement Bureau Field Director at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) where he managed the nationwide enforcement of spectrum interference affecting public safety communications, FCC licensees and Federal agencies. Prior to serving as Field Director, Cooper was District Director of the FCC’s Los Angeles Field Office. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and received his undergraduate electrical bachelor science degree from Mississippi State University.

Mr. Bruno Fernández Iguini is the Vice president of the Uruguayan Regulatory Unit of Communication Services (URSEC). His role at Ursec involves participation in national and international regulatory discussions, including representing Uruguay at regional communications forums.
He is Doctor in Law and Social Sciences from the University of the Republic of Uruguay (UDELAR). International Diploma in Political Management and Public Administration, organized by the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) in partnership with UDELAR and George Washington University. Partner at FN & Asociados since 2012.
Before being designited as Vice president of the Board of the URSEC, he served as Mayor of the Municipality of La Paz (Canelones Department, 2015-2025).
Previously he was a long-standing functionary at the Social Security Bank (BPS), where he worked in the legal department.

Dr. Tassos Lyratzis is an Electrical & Computer Engineer and holds a PhD in the field of Telecommunications & Computer Networks (1994). During his PhD studies, he worked as a specialist in Telecommunications in various European research projects.

He is currently working in the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) since 2001, in the Spectrum Directorate. He has been the Head of the Spectrum Management Department (2003-2006) when EETT was involved in the Spectrum Management of the Olympic Games of Athens in 2004. Since 2011 he is Head (Director) of Spectrum Division of EETT.

He participates in international activities in CEPT (WGFM and ECC) as well as in European Union groups like the Radio Spectrum Committee (2003-2006), and the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (2011 – today). Since 2016 he has been co-chair of the RSPG sub-Groups working on 5G and 6G topics.

Mr. Adam Caldwell is the Deputy Chief Executive of the Telecommunication Regulation Authority of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). His work focuses on telecommunications regulation, digital policy, strategic thinking, and the institutional conditions that support connectivity and digital development in small island states.

He has previously held senior public service roles in the Federated States of Micronesia, including Acting Assistant Secretary of Justice for Cybersecurity and Intelligence, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Foreign Affairs for Information and Research, and Head of the FSM National Central Bureau of INTERPOL. Across these roles, he has worked at the intersection of regulation, governance, cybersecurity, and public policy.

Mr. Caldwell is a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne, where his research examines the development of strategic-level national cybersecurity policy, with expected completion in October 2027. He holds a Juris Master degree from Florida State University focused on cybersecurity, privacy, and law, a Master of Media and Creative Technologies from the University of Waikato in New Zealand, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Networking from the University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu.

Sebastian Kaplan is a digital policy expert in Latin America with more than 20 years of experience in senior leadership positions at technology companies across the region.

He currently serves as a digital policy advisor to companies and regulators throughout the region. Most recently, he was Vice President of Government Affairs at Liberty Latin America from 2023 to 2025, where he was responsible for the company’s public policy and regulatory affairs across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Previously, he served as Head of Connectivity and Economic Policy for Latin America and the Caribbean at Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus) from 2019 to 2023, overseeing Meta’s connectivity and economic policy matters across the region.

Before joining Meta, Sebastian was Director of Regulatory Affairs for Latin America at Millicom (Tigo) from 2016 to 2019, responsible for government and regulatory affairs across all of Millicom’s Latin American operations. Prior to that, he served as Regional General Counsel for Latin America at Groupon from 2015 to 2016.

From 2012 to 2015, he was Director of Institutional Affairs, responsible for Legal and Government Affairs, at Claro AUP (Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay). Earlier in his career, from 2000 to 2012, he was a Senior Associate at Marval, O’Farrell & Mairal, Argentina’s largest law firm, in the Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) Department, advising some of the region’s largest telecommunications and media companies on regulatory matters.

Sebastian holds a law degree from the School of Law at the National University of Rosario, an LL.M. from Northwestern University School of Law, and a Certificate in Management (CM) from Kellogg School of Management in Chicago/Evanston, Illinois, USA.

Monisha Ghosh completed a term as the Chief Technology Officer at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on June 14, 2021. In this role she reported to the Chairman of the FCC and was closely involved with setting national strategy and technology specifications related to the explosive growth of broadband wireless communications technologies.
Prof. Ghosh previously served in the NSF as a rotating Program Director (IPA) within the Directorate of Computer & Information Science and Engineering (CISE) where she managed wireless networking research. At the NSF, she initiated one of the first large-scale programs that targets applications of machine learning to wireless networks.
From 2015 to 2021, she also was a Research Professor at the University of Chicago, where she conducted research on wireless technologies for the 5G cellular, next-generation Wi-Fi systems, IoT, coexistence and spectrum sharing. She previously worked in industrial research and development at Interdigital, Philips Research, and Bell Laboratories on wireless systems such as the HDTV broadcast standard, cable standardization, and cognitive radio for the TV White Spaces.
She is a Fellow of the IEEE.

Throughout his 30-year academic career, Professor Mohamed-Slim Alouini, an IEEE and OPTICA Fellow, has developed analytical and simulation tools for evaluating the performance of radio-frequency and optical wireless communication systems. He has also designed and optimized innovative technologies for emerging wireless networks.
Professor Alouini, a co-founder of KAUST's ECE program, inspires future engineers through his pioneering work in wireless communications. His integrated space-air-ground networks, spectrum sharing schemes, and optical wireless communication systems research shape connectivity's future and embody KAUST's scientific excellence and global impact.
Professor Alouini has published numerous conference and journal papers and co-authored the textbook Digital Communication over Fading Channels, published by Wiley Interscience. A former editor of IEEE Transactions on Communications and IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communication, he also served as an editor for IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing and the Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing journal. He was also a series editor for the IEEE Communication Magazine's Optical Communication and Networks Special Series and the founding field chief editor for the Frontiers in Communications and Networks journal. He is now the Founding Editor-in-Chief for the Nature Partnership Journal (NPJ) on Wireless Technologies (since 2025) and an editor for the IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronics Systems (since 2022).
Professor Alouini has been an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer for the IEEE Communication Society (2016-2017), the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society (2018-2022), the IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society (2023-2024), and the IEEE Photonics Society (2025)

Paul Colmer is a leading advocate for expanding affordable, reliable connectivity across South Africa. Serving on WAPA’s Executive Committee, he works closely with regulators and industry to promote open spectrum, dynamic sharing, and policies that empower small and rural ISPs. Paul leads initiatives such as WAPA’s TV White Space project and campaigns for 6GHz Wi-Fi unlicensed spectrum release, bridging the digital divide in underserved areas. With extensive experience in ICT and telecoms, he frequently speaks on broadband policy, rural network deployment, and strategies for inclusive, resilient digital infrastructure.
She spent over three years as General Director of the National Spectrum Agency in Colombia, having originally joined the ANE in 2013. Before that, she was awarded with a Marie Curie Fellowship and worked at the Instytut Technologii Elektronowej ITE in Poland for the Partnership for Cognitive Radio Par4CR European Project.

Suarez is an electronics engineer, with a master degree in high frequency communication systems and is Doctor in electronics from the University Paris-Est.

Cary Ingram is a Senior Analyst and Policy Advisor for the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration. Cary advises senior Department of Commerce officials on international economic and trade policies concerning the information and communications technology (ICT) industry with specific expertise in telecommunications technologies. With over 18 years of experience in the technology sector, Cary is an advocate for global policies that increase international commerce and investment, promote innovation, and advance interoperability in the global technology ecosystem. Cary is also a leading expert within the Department of Commerce on policy and business development strategies to support tech startups, entrepreneurs, and high-growth companies in the global ICT market.

Prior to his work at the Department of Commerce, Cary worked in corporate strategy development for multi-national companies in the consumer goods, bio-technology, and financial services industries. Mr. Ingram also served as a consultant to the United Nations Office of the Secretary General on promoting corporate social responsibility and sustainable business practices.

Cary received a B.S.B.A in International Business and a B.A. in Economics and International Relations from Drake University. He went on to earn a Master’s in International Affairs from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs.

Steve is an industry veteran having worked in the Wi-Fi ecosystem since 2003. In his current role as Director of Industry & Membership Engagements at the WBA, Steve is responsible for driving industry engagements with all types of organizations. These organizations include regulators, industry alliances, cities, enterprises and really any type of organizations that are stakeholders in Wi-Fi. Steve also heads up the WBA Membership team and is tasked with growing and developing the WBA membership ecosystem so it broadens its appeal to more industry partners.

Finally, Membership Engagement and helping WBA members achieve their Wi-Fi goals is a key component of Steve’s role at the WBA. Prior to his time at the WBA, Steve held senior positions at iPass which is a software SaaS company and where Steve ran the Wi-Fi Roaming Business Unit.

Mr. Wahome is the CEO and Founder of Aegir Consult Ltd, a vibrant technology firm based in Nairobi, Kenya. With a strong background in Geomatic Engineering and Geospatial Information Systems, he plays a pivotal role in advancing innovative solutions within the telco space, particularly in collaboration with Kenya's telecommunications regulator and African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI). He has over 10 years' experience in offshoring location intelligence services and enterprise systems implementation locally, regionally, and internationally. Mr Wahome has spearheaded projects that have positively impacted government organizations, not-for-profits, and private owned businesses in different capacities as a Lead Consultant. He is also a World Bank Group Consultant working to support developing countries in eradicating poverty.
Victor operates within the private sector, supporting research and development in the telecommunications field. His work is closely aligned with regulatory frameworks, yet he maintains a distinct role separate from any official regulatory body. This unique positioning allows him to offer valuable insights and practical perspectives on spectrum sharing, national spectrum policies, and the development of sandboxes for spectrum innovation.

William Baraza is the Director and CEO – African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI) and also serves as the Senior Advisor Africa to Centre for Strategic Cyberspace and International Studies (CSCIS) – Canada and Chairman - Africa Cyber Défense Forum (ACDF) Advisory Board. He is currently pursuing PhD in Strategic Information Systems and holds and MBA in Operations Management from the University of ​Nairobi and a BSc in Computer Science, Egerton University. He has worked on various ICT4D research projects in collaboration with development partner institutions such as Foreign and Commonwealth Organization (FCDO), IBM, Norwegian Refugee Council, USAID amongst others With over 25 years experience in telecommunications (including engineering, pre-sales, sales, leadership) and over 20 years experience at senior management level, in Sub Saharan Africa, he has had tours of duty in several African countries including Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe and South Africa. He has previously held various senior roles in technical and business development in International organizations such as CommScope, Ericsson, Nokia, Cisco and Africa Online. William is a member of Internet Society (ISOC) and Kenya Institute of Management (KIM). His research interests are in E-commerce, Cloud Computing and Artificial Intelligence and partners with other researchers to write research papers.

Claus Hetting is the founder, chairman, and CEO of the Wi-Fi NOW organisation, which has been working tirelessly to support the Wi-Fi industry since 2016. Previous to founding Wi-Fi NOW Claus worked as a technology and connectivity consultant for numerous global tech leaders including Nokia.

Alan Norman joined Facebook’s connectivity policy team in August 2016 and actively supports Facebook’s Connectivity initiatives. Alan is a long-time advocate for improved broadband and internet access, shared infrastructure, and spectrum for next generation technologies. Recently Alan has been actively engaged on Rural Access, Wi-Fi, mmWave, and 5G.
Alan holds a BS in Mathematical Sciences from Stanford University and an MS in Management from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business where he was a Sloan Fellow.

Michael Feldman

Manager, International Public Policy, Amazon

Michael Feldman is an International Public Policy Manager at Amazon, based at its Seattle headquarters. In this role, he supports senior-level corporate engagement with policymakers and government officials across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Michael joined Amazon in 2023 after 11 years in the U.S. Department of State, where he served as a diplomat overseas in Beijing, China; Berlin, Germany; and Edinburgh, UK. He also held various roles in Washington, DC, including in the Bureau for European and Eurasian Affairs and in the office of the U.S. Secretary of State. He holds a BA from Rice University.

Philippe Defraigne is a founding director of Cullen International, a company monitoring regulatory developments in telecommunications, digital economy, media, postal, competition law and sustainability. He is an economist by training and has spent the last 30 years analysing telecommunications regulation and market developments. He is a regular fixture on the conference circuit, frequently speaking at and chairing events in Europe, Latin America and MENA.

Dr Martha Suarez is President of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance and has over 15 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. In her current role at the DSA she advocates for laws and regulations that will lead to more efficient and effective spectrum utilization, which is essential to addressing key worldwide social and economic challenges.

She spent over three years as General Director of the National Spectrum Agency in Colombia, having originally joined the ANE in 2013. Before that, she was awarded with a Marie Curie Fellowship and worked at the Instytut Technologii Elektronowej ITE in Poland for the Partnership for Cognitive Radio Par4CR European Project.

Suarez is an electronics engineer, with a master degree in high frequency communication systems and is Doctor in electronics from the University Paris-Est.