Gulsanna Mamadiieva is a visionary leader at the forefront of Ukraine’s and Europe’s digital transformation. With expertise in tech policy, digital government, foreign policy, and international development and security, she has played a pivotal role in shaping policies that enhance digital resilience, improve public service delivery, and position Ukraine as a global leader in GovTech. Gulsanna is a Tech and Public Policy Fellow, Better Governance Lab Fellow, and an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. Additionally, she is an Adviser to the Vice Prime Minister for Innovations, Education, Science & Technologies and the Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

As Director General for Strategic Planning, EU, and NATO Integration (2019-2023) at the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Gulsanna spearheaded strategic initiatives that integrated Ukraine’s digital ecosystem with the European Union and beyond. She launched and implemented Ukraine’s National Strategy for Integration into the EU Digital Single Market, accelerating the country’s digital transformation. Gulsanna played a pivotal role in Ukraine becoming a “European digital transformation tiger,” with Diia—Ukraine’s award-winning government super app, serving over 22 million citizens and ensuring continuity of government services during crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Gulsanna also spearheaded landmark multinational projects, including the EU-Ukraine free roaming regime, which ensured seamless connectivity for millions of displaced Ukrainians; the Digital Europe Program; and the development of the EU ID Wallet; reforms in online safety, cilewisvic tech, and public interest policies.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, she has led international cooperation efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s digital resilience through cloud backups of sensitive government data, secure critical telecom infrastructure via satellite technology and cybersecurity initiatives, and expand global partnerships to ensure digital connectivity for Ukrainian citizens worldwide.

Originally from Crimea, illegally occupied by Russia since 2014, Gulsanna played a key role in securing Ukraine’s digital resilience, particularly during the full-scale invasion. She is committed to leveraging technology to strengthen democracy, economic prosperity, security, and global cooperation, empowering governments to drive innovation for the public good.

Gulsanna Mamadiieva is a member of Apolitical’s Advisory Council on 21st Century Government, the Council of Europe’s Committee on Artificial Intelligence, the Digital Europe Program Committee, and an Obama Europe Leader (2024-2025). She is a Stanford University Fisher Family Fellow and a Support Ukrainian Democracy and Development Fellow. Gulsanna holds a Master’s degree in IT Law from the University of Tartu, Estonia, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Carleton University, Canada.