Pinal Shah

Pinal (Pia) has always had advocacy in her blood. As Global Head of Policy for Trust & Safety at Amazon Web Services, her work in tech policy centers on two main themes: the impacts of technology on individuals and society, and racial and social justice. “I think about the ways in which marginalized and vulnerable individuals are harmed online and how I can work to protect them and their voices,” she says. “Online activity can often lead to offline harm, not to mention cause psychological and societal harm.” 

Pia was previously appointed by the Obama Administration to serve as an advisor on Science & Technology issues at the Department of Homeland Security, and has also seen both Lyft and Robinhood through their IPOs. She is the daughter of immigrants – a Bay Area native who is currently based in New York City – and a proud alumnus of both Howard University School of Law and UC Berkeley. “Knowing how much my ancestors and my immigrant parents sacrificed for me to be here in this station in life gives me my motivation,” she says.

An avid global traveler, Pia speaks four languages fluently and believes there's no greater connection than speaking to someone in their own tongue. She also serves as an advisor to the Trust & Safety Professional Association and is excited to help shape the future of global digital safety. 

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