Jeff Merritt is an internationally-recognized expert in the area of smart cities, the internet of things, emerging technologies, and government innovation with more than two decades of experience driving social change in the U.S. and abroad. He leads a growing international team at the World Economic Forum with locations in 14 cities around the globe from San Francisco to São Paulo. Prior to joining the World Economic Forum, he served as New York City’s first-ever Director of Innovation. Key highlights from this work include helping organize the first entirely online public election in U.S. history; laying the groundwork for the world’s largest, fastest municipal Wi-Fi network; orchestrating the launch and roll-out of the world’s largest city top-level domain; and leading the creation and adoption of new guidelines and tools to promote the responsible and equitable expansion of the internet of things and smart city technologies. He holds a Master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan.