Heather Gate | EVP of Digital Inclusion
Connected Nation

As the Executive Vice President of Digital Inclusion for Connected Nation (CN), Heather Gate is responsible for strategy development and implementation of programs that impact digital inclusion for all people in all places. Ms. Gate has more than 18 years of experience working in digital inclusion with the mission of improving the lives of vulnerable populations across the country. She has extensive experience engaging with communities, families, and others on the frontlines of the Digital Divide, and working behind the scenes as an advocate and tactician with local, state, and federal leaders. Heather Gate's professional journey exemplifies her commitment to advancing access, adoption, and use of telecommunication services. In 2024, Ms. Gate was reappointed as Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission’s Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC), having previously served in this capacity from 2021 to 2023. Additionally, she held the position of Vice Chair of the FCC’s Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment from 2019 to 2021 and chaired a Working Group from 2017 to 2019. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in gathering insights from diverse communities on communications-related issues and providing recommendations to the FCC to promote access to digital communication services for all individuals in the United States. Her notable achievements include overseeing the successful implementation of digital inclusion programs impacting over 21 million people across the country, such as the No Child Left Offline program in Kentucky and the Computers 4 Kids program in Tennessee, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Opportunity Online Program for libraries, and the Teens Tech Tech Program nationally. She has also led programs that advance affordable broadband access, ensuring millions of individuals have access to technology and internet connectivity. Heather's contributions extend beyond program implementation. She is a key figure in national discussions on broadband adoption and digital inclusion, with her insights often featured in various publications. Her voice is a powerful advocate for the urgency to close the digital divide and policy changes to support digital inclusion efforts. Heather's exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing digital equity have not gone unnoticed. In 2023, she was named one of the Women We Admire's Top 50 Women Leaders of Kentucky and was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Andy Beshear.