Tech Diplomacy Global 50

Dr. Olga Cavalli

Director, South School on Internet Governance
Argentina

Olga Cavalli is a distinguished Internet leader whose work has strengthened Latin America and the Caribbean’s participation in global Internet Governance. She holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Mendoza, Argentina.

Since early 2024, she serves as Dean of the National Defense Faculty of Argentina, developing programs in cyber defense and cybersecurity. Previously, as National Director of Cybersecurity, she designed national policies for critical infrastructure protection and oversaw the National CERT. As Undersecretary of Information Technology, she promoted Internet and telecommunications technologies for public sector management.

Olga co-founded and directs the South School on Internet Governance (SSIG), one of the most influential capacity-building initiatives globally. Since 2009, SSIG has awarded thousands of fellowships with worldwide remote participation, offers a free Diploma in Internet Governance, and has received two WSIS Prizes from the ITU. She also co-founded ARGENSIG and directs several training programs.

She co-edited “Internet Governance and Regulations in Latin America” (available in Spanish, Portuguese, and English) and co-authored “Power and Authority in Internet Governance.”

Olga has participated in every UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) since 2006. In 2025, she was appointed to the MAG (Multistakeholder Advisory Group), having previously served from 2007-2014. At IGF 2019 in Berlin, she appeared in Germany’s official promotional video alongside Angela Merkel and Vint Cerf.

She served on the Internet Society (ISOC) Board of Trustees (2016-2021) and as President of ISOC Argentina Chapter. Recognized as an ISOC “Game Changer,” she leads initiatives promoting women and girls in ICTs. The ITU invited her to participate in the Study Group on Internet of Things and Smart Cities.

At ICANN, she currently serves as a ccNSO Council Member. Previous roles include Co-lead of Work Track 5 on Geographic Names, GAC Vice Chair, member of the Cross-Community Working Group on Accountability for the IANA transition, and GNSO Council Member and Vice Chair.

She teaches at the University of Buenos Aires, National Defense University, and Universidad Nacional Scalabrini Ortiz, and serves as visiting professor and faculty in Schools on Internet Governance worldwide.

Her credentials include a PhD in Business Direction, Master’s in Business Administration, Degree in Telecommunications Regulation, and Degree in Electronic and Electric Engineering.

She is fluent in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and German, with proficiency in French, Italian, and Dutch.