Lea Simpson

Lea Simpson is the Innovation Director at the EdTech Hub, where she leads efforts to translate evidence into impactful, scalable educational technology solutions and heads the Hub’s AI Observatory.

With over two decades of experience at the intersection of technology and innovation, Lea has founded startups, raised venture capital, and worked globally—from Silicon Valley to Kathmandu—designing and scaling tech solutions for governments and other partners.

At EdTech Hub, she spearheads the use of “sandboxes”—real-world testing environments to co-create and iterate on edtech interventions with local partners. She also leads the AI Observatory, which works with governments and partners to explore and apply artificial intelligence in education in ways that are ethical, effective, and equitable.

Lea brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit and systems thinking to her role and the conference.