Michelle Lopes Maldonado is the associate director for AI policy.
Prior to joining ITIF, Michelle served three consecutive terms in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park and parts of Prince William County, where she became a leading voice on AI and emerging technology policy. She founded and chaired the Virginia General Assembly’s Technology & Innovation Caucus, served as vice chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Executive Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity & Privacy, and was a member of Virginia’s Joint Commission on Technology and Science, including its AI Subcommittee and Blockchain Working Group. Her legislative work included policies related to artificial intelligence, data privacy, cryptocurrency, decentralized autonomous organizations, and online safety.
Before entering public service, Michelle held leadership roles in the private sector, including as senior counsel and business development director at AOL. She also served in leadership positions at American Public University System, building the organization’s first strategic relationship and partner analytics functions. Earlier in her career, she practiced technology, corporate, and government contracts law at Reed Smith and Dentons.
Michelle holds a J.D. from the George Washington University Law School, where she focused on technology, international, and business law, and a B.A. in Latin American Studies and Spanish Literature and Language from Barnard College of Columbia University.
