CEO

Victoria Espinel is a global leader advancing the future of technology innovation.  

As CEO of BSA | The Software Alliance, Victoria has grown the organization’s worldwide presence in over 30 countries, distinguishing BSA as the leader for enterprise software companies on issues including artificial intelligence, privacy, cybersecurity, and digital trade. She launched the Digital Transformation Network and the Global Data Alliance, flagship BSA initiatives to further BSA’s collaboration with 15+ industry sectors globally. Victoria founded Software.org, the enterprise software industry’s nonprofit partner that educates policymakers and the public about the impact of software and careers within the industry. 

Victoria serves on President Biden’s National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee (Chair of the International Working Group), served as a member of the President’s USTR Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN), and chaired the Future of Software and Society Group at the World Economic Forum. She is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations. 

 Victoria has testified on multiple occasions before the US Congress, European Parliament, and Japanese Diet. Victoria speaks frequently to groups about AI, cybersecurity, and STEM education, including Latinas in Tech, Girls Rule the Law, the Congressional Staff Hispanic Association, Women’s Congressional Staff Associations, Girls Who Code, EqualAI, CSIS, and numerous academic institutions. She has been featured in a wide range of media outlets, including New York Times, Washington Post, Financial Times, Forbes, C-SPAN, BBC, Bloomberg Business, The New Yorker, and NPR. 

Prior to BSA, Victoria was confirmed by the US Senate to serve as the first White House “IP Czar,” establishing a new office in the White House and advising President Obama on intellectual property. She also served in the Bush Administration as the first chief US trade negotiator for intellectual property and innovation, a role in which she created the office of Intellectual Property and Innovation at USTR and led negotiations with over 70 countries. 

Victoria launched Girls Who Code’s Washington, DC summer program and serves on the Board of Directors for ChIPs, a nonprofit organization advancing women in technology law and policy. 

She holds an LLM from the London School of Economics, a JD from Georgetown University Law School, and a BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. She is a native of Washington, DC, and the proud proprietor of Jewel of the South, a restaurant in New Orleans. 

Posts by Victoria Espinel

COVID-19 has created a massive disruption in the workplaces and homes of millions of people around the world. In the past few months, many aspects of people’s personal and professional lives have moved online, driving the rapid expansion of remote working and online collaboration. To meet the needs of our rapidly evolving economy, policymakers must … Read More >>

Today, I testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce Science, and Transportation on policy principles for a federal data privacy framework in the United States. The hearing examined what Congress should do to address risks to consumers and how to implement data privacy protections for all Americans. There is no denying that the American people’s … Read More >>

Last night, we celebrated BSA’s 30th Anniversary by honoring Sens. Todd Young and Maria Cantwell and Reps. Doug Collins and Hakeem Jeffries as BSA’s 2018 Software Champions during a reception at the US Capitol. Each of these members has worked diligently for issues that matter to the software industry, including driving a constructive discussion about … Read More >>

Every year, BSA hosts a Global Day of Service, where we encourage our team members around the world to give back to their communities. This year, seven BSA offices participated, and I’ve enjoyed seeing all of their creative volunteer activities. BSA headquarters in Washington, DC spent the morning helping the National Park Service pick up … Read More >>

The software industry talks a lot about the software skills gap and the need for more coders. That’s because it’s a real concern – the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there will 1.4 million open computing jobs by 2020, but only 400,000 computer science graduates with the skills to fill them. Industry and government … Read More >>