Perry Hewitt makes the case for Accelerate 2026 and centers of innovation as catalysts for collaboration and advancing solutions for social impact.
Accelerate: Data and AI for Social Impact Conference
Bogotá, Colombia · 2026
Join us in Bogotá, Colombia for the 2026 Accelerate Conference
AI is reshaping our world at an unprecedented pace, and with it comes new risks and challenges. But AI also provides us with unlimited possibilities. In this rapidly-evolving landscape, we see extraordinary opportunities to create lasting solutions for the people who need them most.
The need for collaborative, cross-sector strategies has never been more important.
After a highly successful event hosted by Harvard University in 2024, the Accelerate: Data and AI for Social Impact Conference is coming back in June 2026 (exact date to be announced soon) in Bogotá, Colombia, a center for innovation. Join data.org and our host organization, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, an institution committed to social impact and shaping leaders with critical thinking, for a premier global convening.
We will once again bring together cross-sector global leaders to explore how data and AI can drive scalable, real-world impact. Building on what we accomplished at the inaugural convening in Cambridge, this exciting event will focus on leveraging data and AI to drive social impact in financial well-being and public health. As AI’s influence expands across the globe, we will highlight bold ideas, breakthrough innovations, and proven solutions to ensure data and AI empower communities, expand opportunity, and create lasting change that benefits all.
Program Committee
Mercedes is the CEO & Co-founder, Quipu. She is a Fellow of the Cartier Women’s Initiative 2024, The Global Good Fund, and the Tallberg Foundation.
Read moreZulma M. Cucunubá, MD, MSc, Ph.D.
Director of the Public Health Institute
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Javeriana)
Zulma M. Cucunubá is an Assistant Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia.
Read moreEmma Donelan is the Director of Marketing and Communications at data.org, leading strategies that engage stakeholders—across philanthropy, social impact leaders, the private sector, and academia—to meet the organization’s mission.
Read moreIvana Feldfeber is a feminist activist from Bariloche, Argentina. She is the co-founder and Executive Directress of the first Gender Data Observatory in Latin America, “DataGénero.”
Read moreLiz Langdon-Gray is the inaugural Executive Director of the Harvard Data Science Initiative (DSI). In this role, she is responsible for implementing the academic vision of the Initiative, engaging closely with Harvard schools and the Office of the President and Provost.
Read morePerry Hewitt is the Chief Marketing and Product Officer of data.org where she oversees the marketing and communications functions, as well as digital product development.
Read moreSmita Jain is the Director of Data & Analytics for the Center for Inclusive Growth.
Read moreLee Johnson manages Splunk’s Product and Training Donation Program to help nonprofits leverage their data to make stronger decisions faster in the Data Age.
Read moreFrancesca Krist leads the External Affairs at Women’s World Banking.
Read moreOliver Morgan, Ph.D.
Head of the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence
World Health Organization (WHO)
Dr. Oliver Morgan is the Head of the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin, Germany
Read moreAlexandra Pomares is Research Director and full professor at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.
Read moreProf. Schneider was elected as APRU’s 5th Chief Executive and took up the role from January 2023. He earned his degrees (Lizentiat 1990; Dr. phil. 1996; Habilitation 1999), all in Egyptology, from the University of Basel.
Read moreOlasimbo Sojinrin is the Chief Executive Officer of Solar Sister, leading the organization’s mission to empower last-mile communities with clean energy access through a network of women entrepreneurs.
Read morePatricia Toothman (she/her) brings over 13 years of expertise in corporate social impact, with a focus on leveraging technology and data to drive meaningful change. She manages a portfolio of tech and data-driven nonprofits working to bridge the data divide and advance equitable access to digital tools. As a member…
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2024 Accelerate Conference at Harvard University Highlights
Accelerate: Data for Social Impact Conference convened academic institutions, social impact organizations, philanthropy, and industry partners around the globe. This inaugural event focused on the potential of leveraging data and AI to mitigate and adapt to climate change through an intersectional lens that spans public health, financial inclusion, and data privacy.
Thank you to our 2024 Accelerate: Data for Social Impact Conference sponsors for their commitment to building the field of data for social impact.
