Brian Forde

Brian Forde is a recognized leader at the intersection of technology, public policy, and entrepreneurship. Forde has spent more than a decade working with emerging technologies, including blockchain, to drive innovation and efficiency in both public and private sectors. Throughout his career, he has served as an educator, entrepreneur, technologist, and policymaker, focusing on the economic and societal impacts of digital transformation.

Forde began his career with a commitment to service, bringing technological advancements to Nicaragua as a Peace Corps volunteer and later as co-founder and CEO of Llamadas, S.A., one of the largest internet phone service providers in the country. In the White House, he served as senior advisor for mobile and data innovation, leading the White House Innovation for Disaster Response and Recovery Initiative. Forde also played a key role in developing the White House Tech Inclusion and TechHire initiatives, which supported the hiring and training of women and minorities in technology.

At the MIT Media Lab, Forde was director of digital currency, collaborating with researchers and global experts to address challenges in creating secure digital currencies. He co-founded the Digital Currency Initiative, an academic research group focused on cryptocurrencies, and serves as a senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Forde has educated heads of state, Fortune 500 CEOs, and thousands of professionals on bitcoin, blockchain, and the broader implications of cryptocurrency and financial technology.

Forde was a candidate for United States Congress and ranked among the top 10 fundraisers in the country for first-time candidates, raising more money in cryptocurrency than any other political candidate. He is CEO and co-founder of Numero, a company developing campaign fundraising software for Democratic candidates, which supports fundraising efforts for major political campaigns in the United States.

Forde has been recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Graduate of the Last Decade by London Business School, and included in the 40 Under 40 Returned Peace Corps Volunteer list. As a keynote speaker, Forde provides clear explanations of complex technologies, helping audiences understand the impact of blockchain, digital currency, and financial technology on business and society.