ABOUT US
TPDi is an independent, non-partisan think tank dedicated to tech policy.
After 3 years of incubation, we spun-out of the Australian National University in January 2025.
We work with all actors across the tech ecosystem to shape technology for the benefit of humanity.
Our Founders
After 3 years of incubation at the Australian National University, TPDi was founded in 2025 by three female leaders – Johanna Weaver, Zoe Hawkins and Sunita Kumar.
Johanna Weaver is the Executive Director of TPDi. Johanna is a reformed commercial litigator, a recovering diplomat, and a reluctant public intellectual. In 2021 she founded TPDi’s predecessor, the Tech Policy Design Centre at the Australian National University (ANU), after concluding her term as Australia’s independent expert and chief cyber negotiator at the United Nations. In 2022 she was appointed Professor in the Practice of Tech Policy at ANU. She has been appointed to numerous boards, including the ICRC Global Advisory Board on Protecting Civilians from Digital Threats, and the Minister for Government Services’ Independent Advisory Board.
Zoe Hawkins is the Deputy Executive Director of TPDi. Zoe brings extensive experience designing tech policy from government, big tech, academic and think tank perspectives. Zoe worked for the Australian government across communications, innovation, and foreign policy portfolios, as a ministerial adviser and in the public service. She is a Research Associate at the University of Oxford and an expert researcher for the OECD, having started her career at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
Sunita Kumar is an award-winning entrepreneur and accomplished leader. After playing a pivotal role in laying the foundations of TPDi, Sunita has moved on to new ventures. She remains a steadfast advocate for TPDi and our mission to shape technology for the benefit of humanity.
Johanna Weaver
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Zoe Jay Hawkins
Co-Founder & Deputy Executive Director
Sunita Kumar
Co-Founder
Our Board
Geraldine Chin Moody
Independent Board Chair, Board and Governance Principal at Directors Australia
Kate Pounder
Independent Director TPDi, inaugural CEO of the Tech Council of Australia
David Masters
Independent Director TPDi, Head of Global Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Atlassian
Johanna Weaver
Co-Founder & Executive Director, TPDi
Professor Elanor Huntington
Independent Director, Deputy Chief Executive of CSIRO
Dr Tobias Feakin
Independent Director TPDi, Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for Cyber Affairs
Zoe Jay Hawkins
Co-Founder & Deputy Executive Director, TPDi
Our Special Advisers
Julie Inman Grant
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner
Frances Haugen
Facebook whistleblower and online safety advocate
Professor Rod Sims
Former Chair of the ACCC
Brett Solomon
Co-Founder of global digital rights not-for-profit Access Now
Tim Levy
Managing Director, Qoria Limited
Distinguished Technical Fellows
Audrey Tang
Taiwan’s inaugural Digital Minister, now Cyber Ambassador
Sally-Ann Williams
Former CEO, Cicada Innovations
Brendan Hopper
Chief Information Officer for Technology and Distinguished Engineer, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Our Mission & Values
Our Funders
OUR INDEPENDENCE IS OUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET
TPDi’s activities are made possible with thanks to contributors to the Tech Policy Design Fund. Importantly, TPDi does not represent the views of fund contributors, who – as a condition of joining the fund – commit to respect and promote TPDi’s independence, and agree to their sponsorship being publicly disclosed.
TPDi also has a number of participation programs that TPDi uses to support diverse participation in our activities, including by civil society, children and young people.
If there is strong mission alignment, TPDi also works with other partners to deliver specific research or education programs, or engagement activities – but only when partners agree that TPDi retains sole discretion over all outputs.
