The ID2020 Alliance announced today that Kim Gagné has been elected to serve a four-year term as chair of its board of directors.
Based in London, Mr. Gagné is a Senior Counselor with the advisory and advocacy communications consultancy APCO Worldwide. He also serves as Executive Director of the European Cloud Alliance, a business coalition focused on policy issues related to cloud computing.
With his election, Gagné replaced The Honorable Gary Conille, former Prime Minister of Haiti, who currently serves as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Burundi.
“Kim understands that technology, when ethically applied, can be transformative. It can enhance access to vital public services, enable people to exercise their rights as citizens and voters, and participate in the modern economy,” said ID2020 Executive Director, Dakota Gruener. “During these uncertain times, we look forward to Kim’s thoughtful leadership as we navigate our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and determine our strategic direction for the future.”
Mr. Gagné brings extensive experience in communications, government relations, diplomacy, and law to his new role with ID2020.
Prior to joining APCO in 2016, Gagné was a member of the Microsoft Corporate, External and Legal Affairs group and held a variety of senior policy and management positions throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. From 1995–2004, he also served as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, with postings in Haiti, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Mission to the European Union. Before entering government service, Mr. Gagné was a partner at a Washington, D.C. law firm where he specialized in white collar criminal defense and complex civil litigation.
“Digital identity has the potential to transform the lives of more than one billion people around the world, providing access to critical political, social, and economic opportunities. I am excited to join the ID2020 Alliance as the organization champions the development of ethical, privacy-protecting digital identity solutions,” said Gagné. “I am especially keen to support the organization as it establishes new collaborations with governments, technology companies, and civil society organizations to facilitate the return of individuals to the workplace and public life in the wake of the global pandemic.”
Mr. Gagné holds a B.A. and a J.D. from Duke University and a M.A. from Middlebury College.
