Morgan Reed

President

Morgan Reed is a widely known and respected expert on the intersection of government and technology, specializing in issues of small business innovation, privacy and security, intellectual property and competition. As president of the Association for Competitive Technology, a global trade association representing small business app makers and connected device manufacturers in the digital economy, he works to promote a policy environment that rewards and inspires innovation while providing our members resources that help them raise capital, create jobs, and continue to build incredible technology. The global app economy generates $6.3 trillion annually, fueled by innovation and driven by the millions of small technology companies pushing the bounds of what is possible from artificial intelligence to supply chain management to wearable health care devices. For more than 20 years, Morgan has been a leading advocate in Washington, DC, and capital cities around the world, working with elected and career policymakers alike to reduce barriers to entry and increase support and opportunities for small and independent developers. In that time, he has testified before the U.S. Congress more than 20 times, most recently in 2024 on artificial intelligence and privacy before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. He was recognized as a 2025 Washingtonian “Tech Titan”. He has been named a top lobbyist by The Hill every year since 2019. Prior to coming to Washington, DC, Morgan worked in Asia, identifying market opportunities for global companies. He serves on numerous boards and advisory committees shaping the future of technology policy including: - As an advisor and board member for multiple startups - Member of the Standards Development Board of the Licensing Executive Society, an international standards-setting organization - Member of the American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) Digital Medicine Payment Advisory Group (DMPAG), a working group to identify barriers to digital medicine adoption and propose comprehensive solutions, and - Former member of the Health and Human Services-appointed Advisory Panel on Outreach and Education (APOE) for Medicare, a group chartered to advise and make recommendations on the best communications channels to inform the public of program priorities, updates, and new rules and legislation At his core Morgan is a builder and problem solver. Whether in the halls of Washington or his wood shop at home, he looks for unique solutions to everyday challenges.

Mike Sax

Founder and Chairperson, ACT; Founder, Wellbeyond

Mike Sax is the founder and board chair of the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) and the founder of Wellbeyond. As a serial entrepreneur, he has spent decades working at the intersection of health, technology, and public policy. Having lived and worked throughout his life in both Belgium and the United States, Mike brings a rare dual-continent perspective to tech policy. He founded ACT on a simple conviction: that policymakers and technologists make better decisions when they genuinely understand one another. Bringing the two together, he believes, leads to smarter tech policy and a regulatory landscape that innovators can navigate rather than merely endure. Mike works with his colleagues and ACT's global community of small technology businesses to develop consistent, thoughtful policy positions that address the common needs of tech companies everywhere, while staying in tune with local sensitivities and regional agendas. Whether he is in Washington, London or Brussels, Mike works to give small and independent developers a credible, well-informed voice in the policy conversations where their future is decided. Alongside his advocacy, Mike has channeled a long-standing passion for mindfulness into Wellbeyond, where he works with others combining ancient wisdom with modern technology to help people and families live simpler and feel better. Unsurprisingly, Mike plays the saxophone. He can often be found walking in nature, deep in a non-fiction book, or exploring the Star Trek universe, whose optimism, that technology and humanity can grow better together, isn’t far from his own.

Chelsea Thomas

Executive Director

Chelsea Thomas is the executive director of the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) where she leads the organization's work representing small business app developers and Internet of Things (IoT) innovators before policymakers. She has led the organization through significant growth expanding its policy portfolio around the world. Thomas has traveled the world seeing the direct effects policy decisions have on small businesses. And she knows how a positive policy environment can reward innovation and support startups and small businesses. Before joining ACT Thomas spent twelve years on Capitol Hill, including a tenure on the Senate Finance Committee working under Senator Max Baucus of Montana, where she focused on international trade policy and its effects on small businesses and farmers, including in her home state. A Montana native who grew up on her family's potato farm, Thomas holds a Bachelor's degree in History and Political Science from Calvin College. She is a frequent voice in tech policy speaking at events from SXSW in Austin, Texas to COME UP (Korea Startup Forum) in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

René Adam

Chief Financial Officer

Rene Adam is a certified public accountant with more than three decades of experience advising small businesses on how to grow innovative ideas into successful businesses. As a serial entrepreneur, Rene knows first hand what it takes to found and build a business. His insights have been invaluable to a new generation of startups. As chief financial officer at the Association for Competitive Technology, Rene is responsible for managing the financial health of the organization, ensuring resources are available to meet members’ needs and advance their interests. He also provides financial advice and guidance to member companies to help them grow and plan for their own financial stability. Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Rene regularly returns home for good music and great food. His friends describe him as an all around good guy.

Giulia Cereseto

European Union Policy Manager

Giulia Cereseto is EU Policy Manager at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT). Based in Brussels, she works at the crossroads of law, politics, and technology. She advocates for a regulatory environment where small tech companies can compete, grow, and innovate — helping bridge the gap between the people building technology and the policymakers shaping the rules around it. Giulia holds a Master of Arts in Law from Bocconi University in Milan. She started her career in Brussels with a traineeship at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Competition, where she worked on antitrust cases in electronic communications, before moving into public affairs consultancy, where she deepened her expertise in AI, platforms, and e-commerce policy. Today, her portfolio spans platforms, consumer protection, intellectual property, innovation policy, and artificial intelligence — and continues to grow alongside the ever-expanding set of policy areas linked to the digital economy. Her work is as much about relationship-building as policy analysis — engaging with EU institutions, coalitions, and stakeholders to bridge the gap between the innovation happening in small companies and the policymakers shaping the rules around it. For her, a win means connecting entrepreneurs with policymakers and ensuring that the challenges faced by smaller companies are taken into account when new rules are developed. Originally from Italy, Giulia values the international environment of Brussels and enjoys working with people from different backgrounds and perspectives. When she is not following the latest developments in EU tech policy, she enjoys sports, travel, and convincing friends that they should watch her favourite films.

Jong Hun Chung

Policy Associate

Jong Hun Chung is a Policy Associate at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) where he advocates on behalf of small and mid-sized technology developers navigating an increasingly complex global regulatory landscape. His work focuses on antitrust and competition policy in digital markets, tax incentive policies for small and medium-sized enterprises, and competition policy developments across the globe. Jong serves as a bridge between the founders building technology products and the policymakers writing the rules that govern them — translating real business challenges into substantive advocacy that informs regulatory proceedings and international filings. He also serves as Senior Antitrust and Competition Manager at Innovators Network and Policy Lead at the Small Software Business Alliance, where he works with small businesses on tax policy reform. Before joining ACT, Jong built a foundation across federal agencies, nonprofit advocacy, and financial regulation, interning at the U.S. Department of State, the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS), and the Child Welfare League of America, all while completing his undergraduate studies. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 2021 with a B.A. in Political Science, specializing in Legal Studies, with minors in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) and Science, Technology, and Law (STL). A proud supporter of all Boston sports teams, Jong can otherwise be found on the golf course, trying new foods across the DMV, or working on a new LEGO set.

Alexandra Cooke

Senior Director of Global Membership

Alexandra (Alex) Cooke is senior director of global membership at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) where she leads the team responsible for connecting members around the globe with the policy work that shapes their businesses. With over a decade of experience working with startups and small businesses across verticals she has developed a rare fluency at the intersection of technology, policy, and innovation. A graduate of University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) with degrees in Philosophy and Art History, Alex started at ACT as an unpaid intern, working on children’s privacy, digital health, and copyright issues. After being hired full time as the membership coordinator, Alex worked her way up to eventually leading the global expansion of ACT’s membership and membership team. Alex is also the executive director of the Small Software Business Alliance (SSBA), an initiative of ACT, that supports small software businesses in their fight to restore and retain the critical R&D tax deduction, a critical growth expense that allows these businesses to drive innovation and create incredible technology. In both of her roles, Alex engages directly with App Association and SSBA members, distilling global regulatory and legislative issues impacting their businesses. In addition to assisting members with understanding a wide variety of policy issues, Alex champions opportunities for innovators and entrepreneurs to directly participate in advocacy and promotion of their products and ideas, both with policymakers and the public. When she isn’t traveling around the word meeting our incredible members, Alex is usually reading, attending concerts, thinking about art, looking at art, or eating (and sometimes cooking) delicious food.

Taylor Downs

Senior Federal Policy Manager

Taylor Downs is the Senior Federal Policy Manager at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), advocating on behalf of small technology businesses to shape a federal policy environment where innovation can thrive. With seven years' experience on Capitol Hill and a master's degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, she brings a rigorous analytical lens to the complex intersection of technology, business, and public policy. Taylor's path from national security studies through social services policy to tech advocacy was driven by a desire to make immediate, tangible impact. At ACT, she found the perfect place for her skills — one where she can lift up members' voices and directly influence the legislation shaping the future of technology in America. At her core Taylor is a connector. While she regularly meets with congressional staff to consult on drafts and bills, the moments she values most are when she can bring the right people together in the same room: a small business owner who is a genuine expert in their field, and a policymaker who has the power to act on that expertise. Like a volleyball setter who reads every player on the court and delivers the ball exactly where it needs to go, Taylor's skill lies in knowing who needs to be heard, who is in the best position to listen, and making that connection happen. Taylor is a fierce advocate for the businesses that would otherwise be overlooked in policy debates. She believes that small businesses deserve equal weight alongside large corporations in the legislative process — and that good policy must reflect the lived reality of entrepreneurs, not the assumptions of others. Her goal is simple: make sure that when laws are written, the people they affect most have a seat at the table. Outside of work, Taylor is a passionate textile artist. She enjoys sewing, knitting, embroidery, and felting, and dreams of one day spinning and weaving her own fabric. She loves nothing more than walking into a room wearing an art piece she made herself.

Graham Dufault

General Counsel

Graham Dufault is General Counsel for the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), representing small and medium-sized mobile software makers and connected device companies in the app economy. Graham leads ACT’s legislative advocacy on issues including privacy, digital health, antitrust, intellectual property, and related issues. In this capacity, Graham has testified as an expert witness in several Congressional hearings on issues including privacy, consumer protection, cybersecurity, and antitrust. He has a JD with a concentration in communications law from George Mason and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Emory University. Prior to joining ACT, Graham was counsel for the House Energy and Commerce Committee. In that role, Graham was lead counsel on Federal Trade Commission (FTC) oversight and reform efforts, including the FTC Process and Transparency Reform Act of 2016. When he’s not at work, Graham is coaching or spectating his kids’ sports teams, playing catch with his son, drawing and painting with his daughter, birdwatching (birds of prey only), talking baseball, or attempting to fly fish.

Jack Fleming

Director of global comms

Jack Fleming is a seasoned communications strategist and public affairs leader with more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of technology, government, and social impact. As Director of Global Communications at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), he leads the organization’s efforts to shape the policy and regulatory landscape for startups and small technology businesses around the world — ensuring that innovation is rewarded and that small tech companies have the environment they need to grow and thrive. Throughout his career, Jack has built a reputation for bridging the gap between complex policy issues and compelling public narratives. Drawing on a rare combination of experience across the nonprofit, technology, government, and communications sectors, he brings a multi-stakeholder perspective to every challenge he takes on. His work is grounded in a deep passion for public service and a conviction that strategic communications can be a powerful force for meaningful change. Jack specializes in policy advocacy and public affairs, digital and social media strategy, and executive communications — disciplines he has honed across decades of high-stakes work in both domestic and global arenas. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Policy, academic training that continues to inform his approach to building communications strategies that are both principled and impactful. Outside the office, Jack channels the same discipline and determination that defines his professional life into endurance sports. An avid triathlete, he has completed more than 20 triathlons — including a full Ironman in 2021 — a testament to the grit and long-range thinking he brings to everything he does.

Maria Goikoetxea Gomez de Segura

Senior European Union Policy Manager

Maria Goikoetxea Gomez de Segura is Senior EU Policy Manager at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), where she advocates for the interests of startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU's most consequential digital policy debates. Based in Brussels, she works across legislative files including the Digital Markets Act, AI Act, SEP Regulation, and the 28th regime, engaging directly with EU institutions and stakeholders to shape a regulatory environment that is balanced and innovation friendly. Before joining ACT, Maria began her career in digital policy at the European Parliament. She holds a master’s in Law from Utrecht University and a dual degree in Law and International Relations from the University of Deusto. She speaks Spanish, English, French, and Basque.

Chapin Gregor

Global Policy Counsel

Chapin Gregor is Global Policy Counsel for the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), a global trade association representing small and medium-sized technology companies. He brings a decade of experience working on key tech policy issues on Capitol Hill to bear in ensuring that the voices of the entrepreneurs and innovators in ACT’s membership are heard by governments around the world. His portfolio includes a wide array of tech policy issues, from competition to data privacy to digital trade, both at the U.S. federal level and globally, and he drafts regulatory filings, letters, and court briefs on all of them. Just take a look at his monthly “Always Be Filing” update blog to see the extent to which the filings indeed never stop. Prior to joining ACT, Chapin spent a decade working for multiple offices in the U.S. Senate, most recently as Deputy Policy Director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, with responsibility for consumer protection policy matters. These included drafting and negotiating legislation covering some of the most pivotal tech policy debates of the era and today, from autonomous vehicles to federal data privacy rules to artificial intelligence. He even had the college sports portfolio, despite attending and undergraduate institution that once had a president who famously said “when I get the urge to exercise, I lie down until the feeling goes away.” No matter the topic, Chapin is always driven by a desire to understand the practical impacts of a given policy proposal, particularly on small businesses like ACT’s members, and to seek out solutions that achieve protective goals without causing unforeseen harms. Chapin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago and a Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center. He lives with his wife and two kids in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.

Amanda Guilardi

Intellectual Property Counsel

Amanda is the Intellectual Property Counsel at ACT, where she works on patent, trademark, and copyright policy. Her work largely focuses on standard-essential patent policy and legal disputes across the U.S., UK, EU, and other global jurisdictions. She comments on government regulatory initiatives, drafts amicus briefs in significant federal cases, and speaks on industry panels—advocating for an equitable policy environment that enables ACT's members to innovate. Amanda got her start in IP as a legal assistant for patent prosecutors at a law firm, where she was inspired to pursue a career in intellectual property. Her government experience spans all three branches. She has worked for the Senate Judiciary Committee, House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, IP, and the Internet, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Amanda served in the Biden White House in the Office of Communications and the Presidential Personnel Office. Before pivoting to policy, she spent time as a congressional fundraiser for Senate and House members. Amanda is a Nor-Cal native, an August Leo, and trash-TV superfan. She earned her J.D. from American University Washington College of Law and her B.A. from U.C. San Diego. In law school, she served on the Business Law Review and was annoyingly involved in the Student Bar Association. She is admitted to the California bar.

Kimberly Huey

Senior Director of Global Administration

Kimberly Huey is the Senior Director of Global Administration at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), a not-for-profit trade association championing innovative technology companies around the world. With more than 20 years of business administration experience under her belt, Kimberly is the kind of operational powerhouse that keeps organizations running smoothly, strategically, and with a whole lot of heart. Kimberly’s career began in the for-profit world, but it was in the not-for-profit sector where she truly found her stride — and her superpower. She has spent years mastering the full spectrum of back-office operations, from bookkeeping and payroll to benefits administration, business compliance, facilities management, and events logistics. If it keeps a team functioning and a mission moving forward, Kimberly has not only done it — she has refined it. Her technical chops extend well beyond the spreadsheet. As an in-house network administrator, Kimberly has guided organizations through some of the most consequential infrastructure transitions a small team can undertake — including migrating from in-house email servers to cloud-hosted platforms and modernizing office connectivity from hard-wired networks to seamless mesh systems. She understands that the best technology transitions are the ones nobody notices, because everything just works. One of her most distinctive contributions? A knack for building things — literally. Growing up surrounded by skilled tradespersons, Kimberly developed an early appreciation for the craft of construction and renovation. That foundation has translated into a career highlight most administrators can’t claim: she has successfully led nearly a dozen commercial renovation and expansion projects, transforming physical spaces to meet the evolving needs of growing organizations. At ACT, Kimberly brings that same blend of precision, creativity, and roll-up-your-sleeves energy to supporting a team dedicated to advocating for technology companies competing on the global stage. When she’s not wrangling budgets or overseeing a build-out, you’ll find Kimberly in her garden, deep in a crafting project, or tending to her feral cat colony — because apparently managing complex operations at work just isn’t enough of a challenge. And for her most adventurous pursuit? Each year, Kimberly heads to the Nevada desert to serve as Kitchen Lead for Lamplighter Village at Burning Man, feeding a community and proving that her organizational talents know absolutely no bounds — or zip codes.

Melissa Lee

Special Advisor

Melissa Lee is a Special Advisor at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), where she has spent more than two decades championing the interests of small and medium-sized tech businesses, startups, and the consumers they serve around the world. With a career rooted in the belief that innovation thrives when the policy environment is fair and well-informed, Melissa has long worked to ensure that the voices of entrepreneurs and emerging tech companies are heard in the halls of power. A graduate of the George Washington University, Melissa built a strong foundation before joining ACT that gave her a nuanced understanding of how organizations operate, how ideas are advanced, and how to move people to action. She brought all of that to ACT, and hasn’t looked back. Over her 20-year tenure, Melissa has become one of the organization's most trusted internal resources, serving as a quality assurance anchor for ACT's global output and a strategic sounding board for its executive leadership. Her work spans the full scope of the organization’s policy issues around the world -- a portfolio that reflects the breadth of ACT's mission. She works across teams to ensure that ACT's positions are not only strategically sound but clearly and compellingly articulated to audiences from Washington, D.C. to Brussels and beyond. Her commitment to community doesn't end when the workday does. Melissa also runs a small nonprofit serving homeschool families in the Phoenix area, volunteers actively at her church, and coaches youth sports — channeling the same organizational instincts and advocacy spirit that define her professional life into the people and communities around her. When she's not advising executives or supporting families, she can probably be found at the grocery store because she has teenagers.

Erica Nemeroff

Accounting Manager

Erica Nemeroff is the Accounting Manager at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), where she supports the organization's accounting and financial operations, helping ensure accurate financial reporting, efficient processes, and responsible stewardship of organizational resources. With 18 years of experience in the accounting profession, Erica brings a unique combination of investigative expertise and practical financial management to support the organization's mission. Erica began her career in forensic accounting, specializing in white-collar crime investigations and anti-money laundering. Drawn to the investigative and analytical nature of the work, she helped clients uncover financial misconduct, quantify financial losses, and strengthen internal controls to reduce the risk of future fraud. These early experiences shaped her commitment to financial integrity and continue to influence her approach to accounting today. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), Erica combines technical expertise with exceptional attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and a passion for process improvement. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for identifying opportunities to strengthen financial processes, improve operational efficiency, and maintain strong internal controls. Her investigative background provides a unique perspective that enables her to anticipate potential risks while helping organizations establish sound financial practices that support long-term success. Erica has long been drawn to the nonprofit sector because of the meaningful work organizations do to serve their communities. She is particularly passionate about promoting sound financial stewardship and helping organizations safeguard donor funds through effective internal controls and fraud prevention practices. She believes that strong financial management is essential to enabling nonprofits to maximize their impact and fulfill their missions with transparency and accountability. Inspired by her father, who is also an accountant Erica developed an early appreciation for the profession. What began as an interest in accounting evolved into a rewarding career dedicated to protecting organizations and strengthening their financial operations. Today, she enjoys applying her investigative background and analytical mindset to help ACT operate with confidence and integrity. Outside of the office, Erica enjoys spending time with her husband and two children and embraces an active lifestyle. Whether snowboarding in the winter, wakeboarding in the summer, or running and biking throughout the year, she enjoys staying active and taking on new challenges. She brings that same energy, curiosity, and commitment to continuous improvement to every aspect of her professional life.

Ivy Ide Reynolds

Membership Programs Coordinator

Ivy Ide Reynolds is a Programs Coordinator at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), a global advocacy organization representing independent app developers, startups, and small technology companies. Her work sits at the intersection of member relations, recruitment, and communications. Ivy works firsthand with ACT's membership base, helping plan and execute events that bring founders, startups, and community partners into policy conversations. Her goal is simple: put founders in the same room as the people shaping the rules that dictate their businesses, and make sure they feel there is a space for them at ACT. What draws her to this work is the startup community itself. It's the small businesses and independent builders coming up with solutions that will help heal, educate, and innovate our communities. Ivy's focus is opening the door for more founders and tech teams to get involved in the legislation governing their work. Ivy is based in Washington, D.C., where she lives in the historic LeDroit Park neighborhood. Outside of work, she can be found exploring D.C.'s walking trails, making art, or practicing her Spanish.

Natalia Richardson

Communications Manager for the European Union and the United Kingdom

Natalia Richardson is communications manager for the EU and UK at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) leading media relations and strategic communications across the two regions. Based in Brussels she is a former journalist with many years of experience covering and shaping European affairs. Combining a journalist's instinct for compelling storytelling with extensive expertise in strategic communications, media relations, and stakeholder engagement, she has built a career dedicated to helping organisations increase their visibility, strengthen their influence, and communicate effectively with diverse audiences. Throughout her career, Natalia has worked with European associations, NGOs, and communications consultancies, helping them translate complex policy issues into clear, engaging, and impactful messages. Before moving into communications leadership, Natalia spent many years as a journalist reporting from Brussels on European affairs. As a Senior European Affairs Correspondent for Euronews, she covered EU policymaking, the Eastern Partnership, and developments across post-Soviet countries. Earlier, she reported for Deutsche Welle and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Her reporting was recognised for its accuracy, speed, and ability to connect political and economic developments with their human impact. Natalia's experience in the Brussels policy environment has given her a deep understanding of how communications can support advocacy and policy objectives. During her time at SMEunited, she developed and implemented communication strategies that promoted the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises across Europe, helping to raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing Europe's SME community. Across all her roles, she has focused on delivering tangible results, whether through securing high-profile media coverage, increasing stakeholder engagement, or strengthening organisational visibility. Known for her strong network within the Brussels Bubble and her ability to build productive relationships with journalists, policymakers, and stakeholders, Natalia has secured coverage in leading international media, including Reuters, BBC, Euractiv, and Euronews. Colleagues value her strategic mindset, media expertise, and determination to turn communication objectives into measurable outcomes. A firm believer in democratic values and the European project, Natalia is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to informed public debate and meaningful policy discussions. She holds a Master's degree in Marketing and Communications from ICHEC Brussels Management School, a Master's degree in European Economic Integration and Development from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and a journalism degree with distinction from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Natalia is fluent in Ukrainian, Russian, English, and French, and has working proficiency in Dutch and German, reflecting her extensive experience in international and European environments. Outside of work, Natalia is an enthusiastic reader and a dedicated theatre lover. Since 2014, she has held annual season tickets at Brussels' Théâtre Royal du Parc, reflecting her longstanding passion for culture, storytelling, and the arts.

Kedharnath Sankararaman

Policy Counsel

Kedharnath (Kedhar) Sankararaman serves as Policy Counsel at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) in Washington, D.C., where he works on artificial intelligence policy, competition law, standards, and soft-law governance. His work focuses on ensuring that emerging technology rules support innovation, preserve market access, and reflect the needs of small businesses, developers, and innovators in the United States and abroad. At ACT, Kedhar develops policy positions, drafts regulatory and legislative submissions, and engages with policymakers, agencies, standards bodies, industry stakeholders, and academic experts. He pays particular attention to the intersection of competition and antitrust law with AI and standards policy, including how regulatory choices can shape market entry, innovation incentives, and the ability of smaller technology companies to compete. He is especially interested in working with policymakers across jurisdictions as governments consider how to shape AI, competition, and technology governance frameworks in ways that support innovation and open markets. Kedhar brings a multidisciplinary and international perspective to his work. Born and raised in Chennai, India, and later educated and professionally trained across Canada and the United States, he brings a cross-cultural lens to questions of law, technology, and governance. That background informs his interest in how different legal systems, regulatory cultures, and policymaking traditions respond to technological uncertainty, economic competition, and rapid innovation. Before entering law and policy, Kedhar worked as a technology consultant at BDO Canada, where he helped design and implement customer relationship management software solutions for clients. That experience gave him a practical understanding of how technology is built, adopted, and governed inside organizations. He later earned his J.D. from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, where he served as an Articles Editor for Jurimetrics: The Journal of Law, Science and Technology and published research on AI, software as a medical device, soft-law governance, and emerging technology regulation. His legal experience also includes serving as a judicial extern at the Arizona Supreme Court Staff Attorneys Office. Kedhar continues to engage in research on AI governance, including ongoing work on human-in-the-loop AI and its applications across industries. He is also a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), including the IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology and the IEEE AI Policy Committee, where he serves as a voting committee member. Through this work, he is interested in how technical standards, institutional design, and legal frameworks can help shape responsible, competitive, and innovation-enabling AI ecosystems. Outside of work, Kedhar enjoys cooking, playing tennis, and occasionally discovering that both require more precision than expected.

Brian Scarpelli

Senior Global Policy Counsel & Executive Director of the Connected Health Initiative (CHI)

As Senior Global Policy Counsel at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), Brian Scarpelli represents ACT's small business tech developers and startups in legal and policy advocacy to governments and policymakers. That work spans a long list of subjects including artificial intelligence, competition, intellectual property rights, privacy, cybersecurity, digital trade, and others. Brian engages with regulators and policymakers in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region to shape the conditions under which small developers compete. He also engages regularly with multilateral bodies including the World Trade Organization (WTO), Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), ITU, and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), among others. Before ACT, Brian worked at the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the District of Columbia Public Service Commission, the city's public utility regulator. He earned his J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and his B.A. from Albion College, both in his native Michigan.

Bradley Simonich

Senior Manager of Global Partnerships

Bradley Simonich is the Senior Manager of Global Partnerships at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), where he leads efforts to build relationships with entrepreneurs, startup ecosystems, policymakers, and technology leaders around the world. Based in Washington, D.C., Bradley spends several months each year working internationally, helping connect small technology companies with the resources, networks, and policy environments they need to grow and succeed. Since joining ACT in 2017, Bradley has played a key role in expanding the organization's global footprint and strengthening its connections across the startup ecosystem. His work spans the globe, with a particular focus on the United States and Europe, while also leading initiatives and cultivating partnerships throughout Latin America, Asia, and Australia. Over the course of his career, he has worked extensively with startup communities in countries including Brazil, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, developing strategic relationships with accelerators, incubators, trade associations, embassies, investors, and government stakeholders. He is particularly known for his ability to build strong professional networks in new markets and regions, creating meaningful relationships and collaborative opportunities where none previously existed. At the heart of Bradley's work is a passion for supporting entrepreneurs. He is drawn to the optimism, creativity, and determination that define startup founders and believes innovative companies deserve a stronger voice in policy conversations. Throughout his career, he has focused on bridging the gap between policymakers and entrepreneurs, helping decision-makers better understand the challenges facing small technology companies while empowering founders to engage more effectively in the policy process. Prior to his current role, Bradley worked in healthcare technology policy at CHIME, supporting advocacy efforts related to cybersecurity, telehealth, interoperability, and emerging technologies. He also gained experience in state and federal government offices, where he developed a foundation in public policy, constituent engagement, and stakeholder relations. Bradley earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Albion College and is a graduate of the Gerald R. Ford Institute for Leadership in Public Policy and Service. He currently serves on Albion College's Alumni Board of Directors and as Co-Chair of the College's Washington, D.C. alumni chapter. Outside of work, Bradley is an avid golfer and musician who has played guitar for more than two decades. Some of his most memorable experiences have come from combining his love of travel and golf, including rounds on renowned courses throughout Australia and Ireland. Colleagues often joke that you can drop Bradley into almost any city in the world and he'll leave with a new network of entrepreneurs, policymakers, and friends.

Morgan Stevens

Policy Associate

Morgan Stevens is a policy associate at the Association for Competitive Technology, where she writes and speaks on a wide range of technology policy issues, including privacy, cybersecurity, and online safety. She also manages a privacy fellowship program through ACT’s foundation, the Innovators Network. In addition to her work at ACT, Morgan serves as a Co-chair of IAPP's Washington, D.C. KnowledgeNet chapter, where she leads programming and events for privacy professionals across the region. She holds IAPP Certified Privacy Professional (CIPP) certifications in five jurisdictions: the United States, the European Union, Canada, China, and Asia. Previously, Morgan worked as a research assistant at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. She earned her Juris Doctor from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and government from the University of Texas at Austin. In her free time, Morgan likes trying out new recipes, exploring DC’s hiking trails, and cheering on the Texas Longhorns.

Stephen Tulip

United Kingdom Country Manager

Stephen Tulip is the UK Country Manager at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), where he leads the organisation’s UK member engagement, policy, and advocacy work. He works closely with policymakers, regulators, and technology businesses to ensure the interests of startups and SMEs are reflected in the development of technology policy. Having spent his career in the trade association sector, Stephen has extensive experience helping businesses understand, navigate, and engage with the policy and regulatory issues that shape their industries. He is also Vice-Chair of the Leadership Skills Foundation, a skills-based charity focused on developing employability and leadership skills in young people.

Nancy View

Senior Administrative Assistant

Nancy View is the Senior Administrative Assistant at the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), where, along with her team, she brings order, creativity, and a steady hand to the moving parts that keep an organization running well. For the past four years, Nancy has supported ACT through event and travel logistics, new-hire and intern onboarding, lobbying compliance, internal HR support, and the many “can you help with this?” moments that make administrative work both essential and wonderfully unpredictable. Known for anticipating needs before they become urgent, Nancy specializes in solving last-minute problems - and, even better, spotting workarounds that prevent them from happening in the first place. Whether she is coordinating travel, organizing event space, managing food and vendor details, supporting staff with benefits questions, or pulling the occasional rabbit out of a hat, Nancy approaches her work with resourcefulness, calm, and a positive attitude, even in the stickiest situations. Before joining ACT, Nancy held a variety of managerial and leadership roles across the hospitality, retail, and food service industries. That background shaped her people-first approach, her eye for logistics, and her ability to keep complicated operations moving smoothly behind the scenes. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and an Associate’s degree in Political Science from Centenary University. At ACT, Nancy is especially drawn to advocacy, events, and small business-focused work. She enjoys being, in her words, “the woman behind the curtain” — making sure everything runs smoothly so the people on stage can do their best work. Nancy’s work reflects a truth often forgotten in successful events: when everything appears effortless, it is usually because someone behind the scenes has anticipated the details, solved the surprises, and made sure the spotlight stays exactly where it belongs. Her impact can be seen in successful, well-executed events, happy members, and teams that can focus on the mission because the details have been handled. Among her proudest accomplishments are supporting successful Global App Economy Conference (GAEC) events across three countries over the past two years. Outside of work, Nancy enjoys spending time with family, hiking, taking road trips, building LEGO, cross-stitching, and indulging her quirky interest in gem mining. A fan of SEVENEVES and the all-time classic Firefly, she also brings a surprisingly sparkly credential to the table: Nancy is a certified Diamontologist and Gemologist through the Diamond Council of America.