The Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA) welcomes two senior policy and association veterans to the leading organization representing the specialized information industries.

Paul Lekas joins SIIA as Senior Vice President, Global Public Policy. Renee Harris-Etheridge, CAE joins as Vice President, Marketing and Membership.

“We are thrilled to add these highly accomplished and experienced executives to our already outstanding team,” said SIIA President Jeff Joseph. “Paul and Renee bring an array of expertise that will provide increased value for our members as we help them navigate an ever-evolving data and information public policy landscape and ensure we maintain a laser focus on customer service, innovative programs and services, and organizational growth.”

Paul Lekas joins SIIA following his service in senior strategic roles in the U.S. government, most recently as Director of Research and Analysis and Senior Legal and Strategy Advisor with the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (AI). A lawyer by training, Lekas served as Deputy General Counsel (Legal Counsel) of the U.S. Department of Defense and as General Counsel of the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service. He began his career in private practice including stints at WilmerHale and Shearman & Sterling, focusing on high-profile investigations, technology issues, litigation, and crisis response. Lekas holds an AB and a JD from Harvard University.

“Paul’s deep policy expertise and strong ties to Capitol Hill and global policy makers underscores SIIA’s commitment to guiding our members and shaping the future of technology across a wide range of issues,” said Joseph. “His knowledge will help promote the development of laws and policies that foster a healthy innovation climate to grow jobs here and abroad.”

“Because of its broad membership and recognized policy expertise, SIIA is uniquely positioned to lead and define the conversation on critical policy matters surrounding AI, cross-border data flows, deep fakes, education policy, IP and other emerging issues,” said Lekas, “I look forward to continuing SIIA’s long history of helping policy makers develop thoughtful, balanced approaches to law and policy that promote innovation, enabling our members to grow their business, while protecting individual liberties and furthering democratic values.”

Renee Harris-Etheridge brings more than twenty years of non-profit management experience, primarily focused on membership, marketing and programs. Harris-Etheridge most recently served as Director, Membership Marketing and Member Services with the National Association for Home Care & Hospice where she was responsible for developing membership strategies, marketing campaigns and daily operations for member acquisition, retention, engagement and onboarding. She also served in membership and business development roles with the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association. Harris-Etheridge is a graduate of Southeastern University where she received a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit and Organizational Management and an MBA from the University of Maryland.

“Member service is the foundational cornerstone of our association and stands among our highest values,” Joseph emphasized. “Renee will help elevate our efforts to serve and grow our membership and ensure our members’ interactions with us are positive and provide new learning and networking opportunities to grow their business and help educate their workforce.”

Harris-Etheridge of 최고의 토토사이트 순위 said, “I am thrilled to be a part of this organization defining the future of education, business and financial information and how technology, information and data are solving problems and creating new opportunities.”

For more than 50 years, SIIA has united the information industries. Today, SIIA’s umbrella organization connects more than 450 diverse members who manage the global financial markets, develop software that solves today’s challenges through technology and provide critical information that help inform global businesses of all sizes. As the only professional organization representing Ed Tech, SIIA’s members bridge the gap educating students and the workforce driving innovation and growth.

Learn more about opportunities to become a member or partner with SIIA by visiting siia.net or email, membership@siia.net.

(September 2, 2021) – Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA) President and CEO Jeff Joseph issued the following statement today regarding the WhatsApp ruling:

“We are troubled by today’s decision by the Irish Data Protection Commission to increase its fine of WhatsApp more than four-fold to €225 million for transparency violations. It is one thing to punish companies for violating the law; SIIA and our members support reasonable, balanced measures to protect data privacy. Today’s fine, however, is ridiculously punitive and demonstrates some of the severe flaws in GDPR. The European Data Protection Board actions directed Ireland to increase the fine to make an example of the company and flout basic concepts of impartial justice. As the U.S. moves to develop a uniform federal privacy law must not similarly seek to use data privacy policy as some sort of Trojan Horse to fund the government. 

About SIIA:

SIIA is the only professional organization connecting more than 450 data, financial information, education technology, specialized content and publishing, and health technology companies. Our diverse members manage the global financial markets, develop software that solves today’s challenges through technology, provide critical information that helps inform global businesses large and small, and innovate for better health care and personal wellness outcomes – they drive innovation and growth. For more information, visit www.siia.net.