Nicole Leaver

Nicole Leaver is the Digital Democracy Specialist at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), where she focuses on cyber and digital security and the role of digital technologies on the electoral process. She previously served as a Political Attaché at Global Affairs Canada, where she worked on innovation files, including data privacy, biometric technology, and the governance of AI systems. She was a researcher at Harvard Kennedy School, specializing in media manipulation, digital repression, and civil liberties. Nicole joined IFES with a decade of advocacy and human rights experience, including holding positions at the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace, and Security and Democracy Reporting International. She holds a Masters from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University with a focus in international technology policy and graduated from the University of Ottawa with joint degrees in Political Science and Gender Studies.