Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Main Speaking Roles
It Skills
Publications
Languages
Timeline
Generic

MARIO CANAZZA

San Francisco

Summary

Focused on fostering high-level multistakeholder partnerships in emerging technologies and connectivity for an inclusive and sustainable digital economy. Experience in strategy, policymaking, diplomacy, and international relations across global nonprofit, private sector, and public sector institutions. Manager of (WEF) Centers for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the Americas Region. Formerly head of the Brazilian delegation and high-level negotiator at supreme organs of international ICT organizations, including the ITU and CITEL.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience

Work History

Government Engagement Lead – Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (WEF)
03.2020 - Current
  • Designed and executed the global expansion strategy of WEF’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Network into 18 Centers in 2020/2023 and the development of partnership models and value propositions for each Centre
  • Established 4IR Centers in Saudi Arabia, Michigan (USA), Austin (USA), Brazil, and Colombia, leading all phases including (a) presales and negotiations with high-level partners in government and the private sector; (b) strategy, staff and operations, Board of Directors, and project communities; and (c) project design and execution, partnership models, value propositions, network structure, events/ workshops, capacity building and knowledge sharing
  • Managed the collaborations between WEF’s 18 industry platforms and the 18 Centers in the C4IR network, developing technology policy and governance frameworks on AI, Data Policy, ICT/Connectivity, Drones, Autonomous Vehicles, Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, Cybersecurity, Agritech, Digital Trade, Agile governance, IoT/Smart Cities/Robotics, and Blockchain
  • Represent WEF in the Executive Boards of C4IR Centers in Michigan, Austin, Brazil, Colombia, and Saudi Arabia
  • Negotiate and manage partnerships with governments and IOs to develop technology policies (e.g., UNSG, ITU, OHCHR, UNESCO, UNICEF, WFP, World Bank, IADB, OECD)
  • Manage the community of Silicon Valley Tech Ambassadors and Consul-Generals, including more than 70 countries and regional blocs such as the EU.

Senior Advisor – New Digital Markets and International Affairs

NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION AGENCY (ANATEL)
02.2007 - 02.2020
  • From 2008-2020, represented Brazil as Head of Delegation and high-level negotiator to the supreme organs of the ITU (i.e., ITU Council; ITU Plenipotentiary Conferences; World Conferences) and the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL/OAS) (i.e., CITEL Council and the CITEL Assembly)
  • Managed 100+ multi-stakeholder meetings preparing Brazil for ICT-related IOs (ITU, CITEL, OECD, Mercosur), involving 300+ representatives, leading to approval of 100+ Brazilian proposals
  • Led studies on 5G-enabled Smart Pipes and digital market business models, shaping Brazil’s 5G deployment policy and regulation
  • Conducted ICT market competition and regulatory analysis, informing national and international policies on 5G, AI, IoT, Internet, broadband, and Pay-TV
  • Cultivated relations with high-level officials from IOs and governments.

Chair – ITU Council Group on Strategic and Financial Planning

INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION (ITU)
05.2013 - 11.2018
  • Managed the elaboration and chaired plenary meetings among 193 countries and 700+ sector members of the strategic and financial plans of the ITU for 2016-2019 and 2020-2023, establishing global goals and KPIs on growth of telecommunications; digital inclusion; sustainability; innovation; and partnerships.

Chair - Committee 3 on the Action Plan and Strategic Objectives

INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION (ITU)
02.2014 - 04.2014
  • Managed the elaboration and chaired plenary meetings among 1,000+ delegates of the Dubai Action Plan (DAP) at the 2014 World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-14), establishing five strategic objectives, 30 new/amended Resolutions, 30 Regional Initiatives and 18 study group questions for the period 2014-2018.

Business Analyst

AMDOCS
01.2001 - 02.2006
  • Managed the design of business processes and parameters for the implementation of Amdocs billing systems and price plans and the Clarify CRM system in telecommunication/ICT providers in numerous countries, including Germany, Thailand, Israel, USA, and Brazil.

Education

Data privacy and technology -

HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL
01.2023

Master of Public Administration (MPA) -

Columbia University
01.2016

Internet Governance Capacity Building Program -

DIPLOFOUNDATION
01.2009

Experts course on telecommunication/ICT policymaking -

KOREAN AGENCY FOR DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY (KADO)
01.2008

Bachelor of Public Administration -

EAESP/FGV
01.2002

Skills

  • Policymaking
  • Strategic partnerships
  • Diplomacy
  • Emerging Technologies and ICTs

Main Speaking Roles

  • C4IR Network panel at the Colombia 4.0 Tech Summit in Bogotá (05/2022)
  • GSMA MWC Africa panel on Accelerating the 4th Industrial Revolution in Africa (09/2021)
  • Keynote, Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) Summit on Digital Infrastructure for emerging technologies (04/2021)
  • Keynote, UN WSIS Forum panel on Internet-Based Poverty Alleviation and Digital Economy (07/2020)
  • ITU Council panel on Public Policy considerations for OTTs in Geneva (09/2017)
  • Keynote, Columbia University Conference on Technology & Innovation in the Public Service in NYC (07/2015)

It Skills

Advanced proficiency in Salesforce, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and statistical analysis /data modelling programs (R, Crystal Ball, Qlik Sense)

Publications

  • What is tech diplomacy and why does it matter? (WEF, 2023)
  • Unpacking AI Procurement in a Box: Insights from implementation (WEF, 2022)
  • Data for Common Purpose: Enabling Colombia’s Transition to a Data-Driven Economy (WEF, 2021)
  • Building trust in technology for mental health (ABIMED, 2021)
  • New telecommunication markets: Smart Pipes - New business models based on 5G Networks/Applications (ANATEL, 2020)
  • COVID-19 Risks Outlook: A Preliminary Mapping and Its Implications (WEF, 2020)
  • The Internet as a global public good and the role of governments and multilateral organizations in global Internet governance (Meridiano 47 – Journal of Global Studies, 2017)
  • Global effort on bridging the digital divide and the role of ICT standardization (IEEE, 2009)

Languages

Portuguese
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
French
Limited Working

Timeline

Government Engagement Lead – Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (WEF)
03.2020 - Current

Chair - Committee 3 on the Action Plan and Strategic Objectives

INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION (ITU)
02.2014 - 04.2014

Chair – ITU Council Group on Strategic and Financial Planning

INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION (ITU)
05.2013 - 11.2018

Senior Advisor – New Digital Markets and International Affairs

NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION AGENCY (ANATEL)
02.2007 - 02.2020

Business Analyst

AMDOCS
01.2001 - 02.2006

Data privacy and technology -

HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL

Master of Public Administration (MPA) -

Columbia University

Internet Governance Capacity Building Program -

DIPLOFOUNDATION

Experts course on telecommunication/ICT policymaking -

KOREAN AGENCY FOR DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY (KADO)

Bachelor of Public Administration -

EAESP/FGV

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
MARIO CANAZZA