ID2020 "Summit Sessions"...That's a Wrap

Yesterday, we concluded the inaugural ID2020 “Summit Sessions” Webinar Series with a fantastic closing session, A Conversation with Congressman Bill Foster.

Congressman Foster represents Illinois’ 11th Congressional District and is the author of H.R. 8215, the Improving Digital Identity Act of 2020. A Ph.D. physicist (and, it turns out, a blockchain programmer) by profession, the congressman serves on the House Science, Space, and Technology and Financial Services Committees as well as on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus. He brings to his position a nuanced understanding of the various opportunities – and risks – that digital ID poses. We are grateful to have such a committed advocate in Congress and look forward to continuing to work with his office. 

Recordings of all five sessions have now been posted to the ID2020 website for your viewing pleasure. You can find them here in the Latest Media section. We hope that you will share them with your friends and colleagues!!!

We have been fortunate to host some outstanding speakers over the past two months. We owe them our more sincere gratitude for helping make the series such an overwhelming success.

Session #1 – Good Digital ID for All: How Do We Get There?

• Christine Leong, Global Lead Blockchain Identity and Biometrics, Accenture 
• Simon McDougall, Deputy Commissioner, Regulatory Innovation and Technology, UK Information Commissioner’s Office
• Ankur Patel, Principal Program Manager, Microsoft
• Sheila Warren, Head of Blockchain and DLT, World Economic Forum
• Kim Gagne, Chair, ID2020 (Moderator) 

 Session #2 – Digital Immunization Certificates: Designing for a New Era in Global Health

• Dr. Seth Berkley, CEO, Gave, the Vaccine Alliance
• Skye Gilbert, Executive Director, Digital Square at PATH
• Dr. Brad Perkins, Co-Founder and Medical Director, The Commons Project
• Areiel Wolanow, Chief Technology Officer, BLOK Solutions
• Dakota Gruener, Executive Director, ID2020 (Moderator)

Session #3 – Reaching the Last 30 Percent: Digital ID for Financial Inclusion…and More!

• Ajay Bhalla, President, Cyber and Intelligence Solutions, Mastercard
• Rod Boothby, Global Head of Identity – Digital Platform, Banco Santander
• Greta Bull, Chief Executive Officer, Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP)
• Yiannis Theodorou, Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy, GSMA
• Meredith Kravitz, Head of Public Sector Partnerships, ID2020 (Moderator) 

Session #4 – Laying the Foundation: Digital ID for the Next Generation

• Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor, UNDP/Government of Bangladesh
• Edward Duffus, Head of Digital and Innovation, Plan International
• Vilas Dhar, President, the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation
• Sam Müller, Senior Country Manager, Asia Pacific, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
• Rebecca Distler, Sr. Advisor for Global for Health Programs, ID2020 (Moderator)

Session #5 – A Conversation with Rep. Bill Foster

• Congressman Bill Foster, U.S. House of Representatives
• Blythe Masters, Board Member, ID2020 (Moderator)

While canceling the ID2020 Summit was unquestionably a disappointment, these webinars turned out to be a great format for us, allowing us to reach a wider, more diverse audience.

We look forward to delivering more webinars throughout the year as part of our ongoing commitment to keep our community connected, foster collaboration, and facilitate learning, both among digital ID practitioners and across sectors.

We hope you enjoyed the series and look forward to seeing you at future ID2020 events.