Michelle Sahar

Biography

Michelle Sahar is Head of Cybersecurity and AI Policy at OpenPolicy, where she leads policy strategy, strategic partnerships, and engagement at the intersection of emerging technology, industry, and government. She focuses on translating rapidly evolving technological and geopolitical developments into actionable policy while building stronger channels of collaboration among innovators, policymakers, regulators, and standards bodies. Michelle brings an international perspective shaped by experience across the United States, Europe, and Israel. She contributes to international standards development through several ISO working groups, has worked with the Israel National Cyber Directorate, and has supported international cyber diplomacy and capacity-building efforts through UN working groups. Her portfolio spans AI governance, critical infrastructure, software and supply-chain security, digital resilience, and public-private approaches to shared technology risks.

A frequent public speaker, Michelle has spoken at CES and Black Hat and participated in global forums including the World Economic Forum in Davos. She is particularly interested in how emerging technologies are reshaping diplomacy and global security, and in developing more adaptive and inclusive models for international cooperation.

Michelle holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and is a doctoral candidate at NYU, where her research examines how governments and industry can collaborate more effectively on AI and cybersecurity governance.