Fatema Kothari is an executive with Verizon Business, where she leads their efforts to expand connectivity. Her work in telecommunications is fueled by her passion to expand Internet access and bridge the digital divide.

Driven by her keen interest in policy, she currently leads the Internet Society – SF Bay Area as Vice President, avidly advocating an open Internet that is accessible to everyone. In July 2017, she was appointed to the  US Federal Communications Commission’s Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment, a forum to ensure that disadvantaged communities are not denied the wide range of opportunities made possible by next-generation networks.

Fatema is an avid advocate for gender parity in technology. She serves on the board for the global non-profit Girls in Tech SF and is a proud mentor with Techbridge, an after-school program to inspire girls in STEM fields. She has advised women entrepreneurs from Africa and the Middle East, and has guided them to secure a seed grant from the U.S. Department of State through the TechWomen program.

At heart, she is a third culture kid (Kuwait -> India -> US) and loves to travel.