Press Release
Komal Bazaz Smith Joins GCA as Chief Business Officer
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 7, 2023 – Komal Bazaz Smith is joining the Global Cyber Alliance as its Chief Business Officer. Bazaz Smith will lead GCA’s efforts to strengthen communities to tackle cybersecurity issues together and drive lasting change. She will expand GCA’s partnerships, steer GCA’s communications, and bring in resources so that GCA can better enable a secure and trustworthy Internet for everyone. Bazaz Smith is currently Project Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Digital Connectivity & Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP) Programs, implemented by DAI Global LLC, where she has held various positions since 2015.
Bazaz Smith brings over 22 years of passion and professional expertise encouraging social innovation, tackling poverty relief, and addressing sustainability to GCA. She brings strong leadership and experience engaging stakeholders in the U.S. and globally to coordinate complex programs to tackle a range of issues from cybersecurity to digital up-skilling, awareness raising, and policy engagement.
Bazaz Smith holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Comparative Areas Studies/Spanish/Markets & Management from Duke University and a Masters’ Degree in International Commerce and Finance from Georgetown University. Since 2015 she has been an adjunct professor at the American University’s Graduate School of International Service and is contributing author of “No Reward Without Risk: Addressing the Economic Impacts of Misinformation and Other Digital Harms on MSMEs.”
“With Komal on the GCA team we take a significant step forward on the path of building global relationships and support, expanding our strengths as neutral convenors and trusted advisors. We already work to protect individuals, small businesses, nonprofits, journalists, and the public interest in cybersecurity. I am convinced that she will speed our search for innovative solutions to help the most vulnerable to tackle cyber risks. In a connected world where digital development is an essential for social progress, economic growth, education for all and well-being, GCA plays an important role in developing and distributing free tools to improve cybersecurity,” announced Philip Reitinger, GCA’s President and CEO.
“I am excited to help GCA grow its footprint by being able to bring its significant intellectual capital, skills, and tools to the international realm. I hope to lead and raise GCA’s profile amongst the influential partners all working to sustain a trustworthy Internet that enables social and economic progress for all,” added Bazaz Smith.
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About the Global Cyber Alliance
The Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) is an international, cross-sector effort dedicated to eradicating cyber risk and improving our connected world. GCA works with our partner community worldwide to build practical, accessible resources and measure their impact, in order to achieve a secure, trustworthy Internet that enables social and economic progress for all. Learn more at www.globalcyberalliance.org.
