Executive Leadership
Leadership with ambition and heart
Founder & Chair
Emily D. Bauman
"The question of what it means to be human — and to be treated with dignity — has never been more urgent. We exist to ensure that urgency is met with rigour, compassion, and accountability through practical strategy, tools, convenings and publications."
Emily Bauman founded the Digital Dignity Institute on the conviction that the rapid advance of artificial intelligence demands new ethical and interdisciplinary frameworks — ones that are congruent with technological innovation while placing human dignity, agency, and rights at the centre of technological governance.
Under her leadership, DDI has convened scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from six continents to develop binding frameworks for AI replicas, posthumous data rights, and autonomous agent accountability. As a former Canadian diplomat and United Nations Communications lead, Emily brings two decades of experience in ethics, policy, founding companies and institutional design to this work. She holds an Honours Bachelors of Philosophy with High Distinction from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Masters of Arts in International Diplomacy (Human Security & Development) from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University in Canada. Connect with Emily on Linkedin HERE.
MANAGEMENT BOARD
Board Chair
Emily Bauman
Emily founded the Digital Dignity Institute on the conviction that the rapid advance of artificial intelligence demands new ethical and interdisciplinary frameworks — ones that place human dignity, agency, and rights at the centre of technological governance.
Board Secretary
Abigail Blue
Abigail brings deep expertise in nonprofit growth, strategy, and institutional governance. She oversees the Institute's board operations, ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment with its mission to advance human dignity in the age of AI.
Board Treasurer
Laureen O'Hara Abeyta
Laureen provides governance leadership and institutional memory, ensuring the Institute's operations align with its mission and meet the highest standards of accountability. Her background spans philanthropic investment, fiscal compliance, and mission-aligned resource allocation.
Director
Robert Zardeneta
Robert contributes deep expertise in workforce development and ethical AI to the Institute's governance structure. His work spans responsible technology deployment, labor policy, and cross-sector partnerships that center worker dignity and human oversight in the age of autonomous systems.
Director
Janet Brubacher
Janet brings deep expertise in nonprofit finance and institutional governance, overseeing the Institute's financial stewardship and long-term sustainability strategy. Her background spans philanthropic investment, fiscal compliance, and mission-aligned resource allocation.
Director
Darrell Hills
Darrell brings extensive experience in community engagement, organizational development, and mission-driven leadership. He supports the Institute's outreach and stakeholder relations, ensuring its research reaches and serves diverse communities.
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