TheBridge profile: Vera Zakem
Name: Vera Zakem
Current city: San Francisco, CA
Current job: Senior Technology and Policy Advisor at Institute for Security and Technology / Founder, Zakem Global Strategies
Past job: Director, Strategy and Research, Twitter; Director of Strategy, Partnerships, and Sr. Research Scientist on disinformation and malign influence, CNA Corporation
Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? What can I say, I love my Starbucks! In the Bay Area, I love Cafe Strada in Berkeley. In D.C., Blue Bottle in Georgetown.
Q. What can innovators learn from policymakers? The importance of process, setting a good strategy, a campaign plan, and most importantly, measuring impact of your efforts. If you don't know what works and what does not, how do you know what to invest in?
Q. What can policymakers learn from innovators? Agility, scalability, and willingness to take risks. It is ok to take risks. When things do not work, a good "hot wash" is important to learn from the mistakes.
Q. Job advice in three words? 1. Learn. 2. Practice. 3. Empower (and do NOT forget to pay it forward!)
Q. How are you currently bridging the gap between innovation and regulation? I have spent my career leading efforts at the intersection of foreign policy, national security, and technology, and thinking about how these challenges will shape our society in the future. I have had the good fortune to work with civilian, military, and technology leaders on disinformation, digital authoritarianism, and ensuring that the technology we are creating and deploying (such as AI) serves to benefit democracy, and is consistent with our human rights values. Serving as a member of the Task Force on US Strategy to Support Democracy and Counter Authoritarianism, where I co-led the tech agenda and led the strategy to counter disinformation, online hate, and harassment has certainly been a recent highlight.
I am thrilled to be at the Institute for Security and Technology, where we literally exist to outpace emerging security and technology challenges by not only convening the best minds and doing cutting edge research, but operationalizing these challenges. I take the same ethos to the work that I do with other clients and partners through Zakem Global Strategies.
Q. Can you describe how a skill you learned in a previous job has helped you in your current role? In previous roles, I learned that it is not only about technical or functional competence. It is about working and mentoring the next generation of leaders who bring diversity of perspectives to the problems you are tackling. This could not be more true at the intersection of technology, foreign policy, and politics. This is why currently, when leading or working on initiatives or investing in people, I focus on bringing diverse perspectives into the mix.
Q. Favorite book/podcast/long-form article you recommend? These days, I love Tech Policy Press. Great publication on all things tech policy that features a great podcast. I love the writings of Anne Applebaum very much. Finally, if folks really want to understand how countries like China are pushing towards a digital authoritarian model, I highly recommend "The Rise of Digital Repression: How Technology is Reshaping Power, Politics, and Resistance" by Steven Feldstein.
Finally, an amazing book from my friend Robert Reffkin, CEO of Compass on leadership and mentorship: " No One Succeeds Alone." This is so true. We all need our mentors, sponsors, and a village.
Q. What is the best career advice you have received? Focus on one thing that you are good at. Do it well, and the rest follows. And always pay it forward. I try to do the same by mentoring the next generation, especially women.
Q. If you had to live in another city, what would it be? If I had to live in another city, it would probably be Brussels. The European capital of tech, policy, and a place where allies come together through NATO and the EU. And one word. CHOCOLATE.
Q. Do you currently work from home? How has that been? I have been working from home for a while, and have made it work well, regardless of where my job has been.
Q. Looking back, what would you tell yourself in the beginning of your career? Looking back, I would tell myself to not sweat the small stuff, AND develop lasting relationships with mentors. You don't need a lot, but you do need a solid few. I have mentors, some have been with me for over a decade, and we talk on regular basis. I would not be where I am today if it weren't for them. They know who they are :).
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