TPP Visiting Fellows Bring Cross-Sector Expertise to Advance Responsible Tech

The McCourt School’s Tech & Public Policy (TPP) program is pleased to welcome Kris Rose (MPP’18), an AI transformation leader at IBM; Sydney Saubestre, senior policy analyst at New America’s Open Technology Institute and Megan Shahi, director of technology policy at the Center for American Progress, as the spring 2026 TPP visiting fellows class.

TPP’s fellowship program provides a platform for tech policy practitioners to share their knowledge and expertise with McCourt students and the broader Georgetown community. Visiting fellows host timely events at the McCourt School and lead site visits to public and private organizations, providing students with unique opportunities to engage directly with tech policy professional and learn about the key issues and trends shaping technology policy.

Fellows also connect with McCourt and Georgetown students in small discussion groups designed to spark dialogue and offer unique perspectives on some of the most top-of-mind tech policy topics today. This semester, discussion group topics will range from social media to designing values-based policy solutions and data privacy.

Meet the Spring 2026 Visiting Fellows

Kris Rose (MPP’18)

Discussion Group Theme: Developing a Holistic AI Governance Ecosystem

Kris Rose (MPP’18) is a tech governance leader whose career has spanned roles in public sector institutions such as the Central Intelligence Agency, the White House and the U.S. Congress, and major companies like Meta and IBM. He has led research programs at the intersection of technology and governance, and designed and operationalized AI-enabled initiatives to build more responsible, trusted technology. These have included the development of Meta’s Oversight Board and large-scale public consultations across dozens of countries that have shaped AI and platform policy across dozens of countries.

Rose now leads efforts to govern enterprise-wise AI transformation at IBM, focused on accelerating responsible across IBM’s global footprint. He is a term member with the Council on Foreign Relations and holds a bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor University and a master’s of public policy from the McCourt School.

Sydney Saubestre

Discussion Group Theme: The Dual Power of Data

Sydney Saubestre is a senior policy analyst at New America’s Open Technology Institute (OTI), where she leads data and privacy initiatives at the intersection of technology governance, government accountability and public-interest policy. She has developed novel frameworks to assess the societal impacts of data use, advanced new approaches to understanding government data misuse and shaped legislative reform that protect vulnerable communities from digital harms. Before joining OTI, she worked across government, nonprofit and academic research sectors on policy issues affecting women and children.

Saubestre’s analysis and commentary have appeared in Foreign Policy, Newsweek, U.S. News, Politico, Axios and Ms. Magazine, among other outlets. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and anthropology from The New School and a master’s in public policy from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Megan Shahi

Discussion Group Topic: Designing Values-Based Regulation: Navigating Trade-Offs in Tech Policy

Megan Shahi is the director of technology policy at the Center for American Progress, where she works on AI governance, digital policy and the societal impacts of emerging technologies. She previously held senior policy roles at Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). She also served in the White House Domestic Policy Council and at the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Shahi’s work focuses on values-based approached to technology regulation that protect human rights and democracy, and foster innovation. She holds a bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University.

Get involved with the spring 2026 fellows

McCourt School and Georgetown University students are encouraged to apply to the visiting fellows’ Student Leadership Teams (SLT). SLTs are groups of students who work directly with visiting fellows to organize engaging discussion groups and events. Receive more information and apply now.

The views and positions expressed are solely those of the fellows, and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of any organization with which the fellows are affiliated.