Last evening at the 21st Annual IP3 Awards, Public Knowledge presented the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s (NDIA) esteemed Executive Director Angela Siefer with the 2024 Internet Protocol Award, recognizing her work to close the digital divide and her outstanding contributions to shaping our digital future.
“Angela has always believed in the vision of a digitally inclusive and equitable future, and she remains steadfast in fighting for it… Congratulations to our 2024 Internet Protocol honoree, Angela Siefer, a fearless leader who doesn’t have to chase the spotlight because the sun always shines brightest on those who do the right thing.” Alisa Valentin, Ph.D., Broadband Policy Director, Public Knowledge
In her remarks, Angela shared her experiences co-founding NDIA with Bill Callahan, bringing the on-the-ground expertise of local digital inclusion practitioners into the Lifeline proceeding, and learning from Public Knowledge and friends how to navigate a live bill when the Digital Equity Act was introduced. She closed her remarks by firmly stating, “The digital divide is not bridged once we have the infrastructure built. Nor after we spend all funds from the Digital Equity Act. The digital divide will be bridged once we have robust digital inclusion ecosystems in all communities where anyone can safely and affordably access the internet on an appropriate device and have, as needed, a trusted digital navigator for support. That is only possible if we have sustained broadband adoption funding.”
The IP3 Awards
Public Knowledge hosts the Annual IP3 Awards to celebrate the work of those who have made significant contributions in the three areas of IP: Intellectual Property, Information Policy, and Internet Protocol. The awards help champion the advocates working diligently on behalf of the public interest to help everyone connect and communicate.
Angela was awarded alongside Caitriona Fitzgerald, Deputy Director at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), who received the 2024 Information Policy Award, Jonathan Band, who has helped shape the laws governing intellectual property and the Internet through a combination of legislative and appellate advocacy and received the Intellectual Property Award and FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, a champion for the millions of Americans who lack access to or cannot afford a home internet connection, who received the President’s Award.
Previous awardees include:
- Francella Ochillo, (former) Executive Director at Next Century Cities (2023)
- Rep. Jim Clyburn, Majority Whip and third-ranking Democrat in the United States House of Representatives (2022)
- Gigi Sohn, Fellow at Georgetown Law, Open Society Foundation, and Mozilla; Former Counselor to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler (2017)
