Laura Walker McDonald

Laura Walker McDonald is a senior technology policy leader with almost two decades of experience in bridging humanitarian principles, responsible AI governance, and building and deploying rights-respecting technology. She is currently a Senior Advisor in Technologies & Conflict at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), where she advises on the impacts of technology on conflict, the conduct of hostilities and humanitarian action, and leads related policy, learning and research initiatives. Laura focuses on principled, practical, and impactful ways to use and govern technology in global social change work. She brings together deep knowledge of technology policy, practice, and people across humanitarian aid and development, with applied research, software product management, and human-centered design. Before joining the ICRC, she worked at Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) at the United Nations Foundation, Global Alliance for Humanitarian Innovation (GAHI), SIMLab, FrontlineSMS, and the British Red Cross. She holds an LL.B (Hons) in Law, French and German from the University of the West of England, Bristol, and an LL.M in International Development Law and Human Rights from Warwick University.