WASHINGTON – The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), the global voice of the tech sector, announced today that Ashley Friedman has joined the staff as Director of Global Policy. Friedman joins ITI from the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she served as the policy adviser for international trade and investment to the deputy secretary. Friedman, who was responsible for supporting key initiatives and priorities in areas such as foreign policy, digital economy issues, and trade agreements, will be stepping into her new position at ITI today, Monday, November 9, 2015.

“Throughout her career, Ashley has established herself as respected advisor on a wide array of international trade and global economic policy issues,” said ITI Senior Vice President of Global Policy Josh Kallmer. “That experience will be a valuable asset to ITI as we continue advocating for policies that benefit our member companies and the tech industry as a whole.”

As Director of Global Policy at ITI, Friedman will lead ITI’s work in Latin America and engage on a range of trade and innovation issues. She will also coordinate ITI’s broader initiative to help officials around the world better understand innovation and the tech sector, and their implications for policymaking.

“This is an incredible opportunity to elevate key conversations on trade and innovation and to shape the policy landscape for ITI's member companies in Latin America and other critical markets,” Ashley Friedman said. “I’m thrilled to join the Global Policy team and move the needle on the biggest challenges facing this dynamic and fast-paced industry.”

Prior to serving as policy advisor to the Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Friedman served as the Desk Officer for Cuba, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay at the International Trade Administration’s Office of Latin America and the Caribbean. In this role, she managed trade and investment relations with those countries in support of U.S. companies. She played an integral role for Commerce in the Obama Administration’s new policy approach towards Cuba, and in recent trade agreement disputes with Argentina. Friedman has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs with a concentration in Latin America, and a Master’s Degree in International Trade and Investment Policy, both from the George Washington University.

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