GSMA MOBILE FOR DEVELOPMENT (M4D) FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP

7th September 2021, London: The GSMA M4D Foundation today announced John Giusti as its next President. Mr Giusti is GSMA's Chief Regulatory Officer, with a portfolio that already includes the Foundation and its M4D programmes, among other responsibilities. Mr Giusti is also an active member of the Foundation Board and brings to the role a proven track record of building successful partnerships amongst industry, governments, international organisations, and development agencies, as well as a passion for the role mobile can play in a thriving society.

Today the M4D portfolio covers a wide range of activities where mobile technology provides solutions to development challenges like expanding digital and financial inclusion, closing the gender gap, enabling access to essential utilities, building climate resilience, and assisting in humanitarian crises. The Foundation aims to leverage mobile technology and services to drive positive social impact. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than US$256 million, directly improving the lives of more than 126 million people worldwide.

This appointment comes as Lawrence Yanovitch, the current President, concludes his term in the role. Mr Yanovitch was an early champion for the establishment of the Foundation and has served as its President since 2011.

Lawrence understood early the powerful role that mobile technology could play in tackling some of our biggest social and environmental challenges, commented Sigve Brekke, Chairman of the GSMA M4D Foundation Board and President and CEO, Telenor. We see the concrete results of his vision in the positive impact that the GSMA M4D Foundation's work has on the lives of millions of people around the world. Lawrence is always future-facing and has become a globally recognised voice on the importance of mainstreaming sustainability in business, facilitating consensus on ESG standards, and charting the course of the NetZero climate journey.

Mr Brekke added, We are delighted to put the role of GSMA M4D Foundation President into the capable hands of John Giusti. John is uniquely qualified and positioned to bring the mobile industry, donors, and the international development community together to leverage the next chapter of digital innovation to deliver sustainable development solutions that reduce inequalities for people around the world.

Mr Yanovitch will stay through the remainder of 2022 to facilitate a smooth transition to Mr Giusti, and the GSMA thanks him for his vision, diligence, and passion that leaves an enduring legacy.

-ENDS-

About GSMA

The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, tackling today's biggest societal challenges, underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.

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