Heather Gate | EVP of Digital Inclusion
Connected Nation

Heather Gate is a prominent figure in the field of digital inclusion, with over 17 years of experience dedicated to bridging the digital divide and improving the lives of vulnerable populations through technology access, adoption, and use. Heather Gate's rich professional journey includes pivotal roles such as Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC) and Vice Chair of FCC’s Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE). Her direct involvement in the development and execution of programs that offer digital skills training, distribute computing devices, and support small, minority, and women-owned businesses and underserved communities across the United States underscores her expertise and commitment to digital inclusion. Some of her notable achievements include overseeing the successful implementation of digital inclusion programs, 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, 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, as she has actively participated in national discussions on broadband adoption and digital equity. Her insights have been featured in various publications, highlighting the urgency to close the digital divide and advocating for policy changes to support digital inclusion efforts. In recognition of her exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing digital equity, Heather has received numerous awards and honors, including being named one of the Women We Admire's Top 50 Women Leaders of Kentucky in 2023 and being commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Andy Beshear. She is also an alumna of the Leadership Kentucky Program, further solidifying her status as a respected leader in her field.