Sandra Särav
Tallinn, Estonia
Summary
A seasoned digital policy expert with a robust background in government and private sector roles. Leveraging experience from the Estonian Government and EU-level decision-making, I have served in public policy at Meta and led regulatory and sustainability efforts at Bolt, an Estonian tech unicorn. I hold a master's degree in law and technology from TalTech, augmenting my policy and legal expertise. I am an accomplished public speaker and a lecturer, articulating complex digital policy, law, and sustainability topics.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Undersecretary of State for Economy and Innovation
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Estonia
07.2022 - Current
- Undersecretary of State in Estonia is highest level non-political civil servant
- with my team leading the economic, innovation and digital business environment policies for the country
- Directly responsible for 54 people with an annual budget of 250MEUR
- Additionally responsible for a state owned company, Enterprise Estonia (Estonian Innovation Agency) and Accelerate Estonia (Estonia's national regulatory sandbox)
Project Manager / Lecturer
TalTech
09.2013 - Current
- Estonia's leading technical University
- Started as a project assistant in 2013, moved on to project management (responsible for national and EU level projects)
- Promoted to junior researcher
- A lecturer for Legal Framework of Digital Policies and EU law
Data Reuse Programme Director
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Estonia
02.2022 - 06.2022
- Member of the Government Chief Data Officer's team
- Developing new policies for data re-use in the Estonian government, including the data tracker and AI regulatory sandbox
- Promoted from this role to Undersecretary of State
Head of Public Policy; Baltics, Romania, Bulgaria
Meta (Facebook)
08.2021 - 02.2022
- Meta's CEE office in Warsaw
- Responsible for policy making and government relations in 5 countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania
Head of Public Policy; Nordics and Baltics / Global Head of Sustainability
Bolt
07.2019 - 07.2021
- Leading government relations for the Baltic and Nordics regions (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden)
- Promoted to the first Global Head of Sustainability of Bolt, member of the Co-Founder's team. Developed the first sustainability strategy for the group.
Global Affairs Director in the Government CIO Office
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Estonia
01.2018 - 07.2019
- Managing Estonian government's global relations in the digital government field in the Government CIO's team
▪ National sherpa for EU High-Level AI Working Group, drafting the EU coordinated Action Plan
▪ National representative at the OECD for the AI principles
▪ Member of the legal expert group of national AI strategy, drafting the regulatory proposals for enabling the use of AI
▪ National representative in the EU eGovernment Steering Board - One of the key spokespersons of e-Estonia
Counsellor for EU Digital Affairs
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
11.2016 - 01.2018
- Coordinating the ICT policies during Estonia's EU Presidency of the Council
▪ National expert for the Free Flow of Data regulation
▪ Drafting government positions on EU policies, i.e., national approach to EU legislative files
▪ Organising large-scale policy events (developing the substance) during the Presidency
Stagiaire, (AD level cabinet member) to Vice-President for the Digital Single Market, Andrus Ansip
European Commission
09.2015 - 02.2016
- AD level VP cabinet staff during my bluebook traineeship. Topics included:
▫ Data policies, incl free flow of data
▫ Cybersecurity
▫ eGovernment
▫ IP law
Education
PhD - Law (incomplete)
University of Lausanne
12.2017
Master’s degree - Technology law
TalTech
12.2015
Bachelor’s degree - European Union and International law
TalTech
12.2013
Bachelor’s degree (incomplete) - Public Relations
Baltic Film And Media School (Tallinn University)
12.2009
High school - Media and journalism
Pärnu GoEducational Gymnasion
12.2008
Skills
- Expert in Policy and Regulatory Landscape: Extensive experience in public policy and legal frameworks
- Collaboration and Relationship Building: Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and senior management, both in public and private sector
- Leadership and Management: Proven leadership and management skills, currently serving as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Enterprise Estonia and having led teams at Meta (Facebook) and Bolt Leading the biggest undersecretary level team in Estonia
- Communication Skills: Strong communication skills developed through extensive experience in public policy, teaching as a Junior Researcher/Lecturer at TalTech, and involvement in the European Commission
- Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Analytical mindset and problem-solving abilities demonstrated through various roles in government and the private sector, including risk assessment and regulatory compliance
Affiliations
- CrossFit
- Hanging with my corgi, Freddie
- Avid reader
Languages
Estonian
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Russian
Elementary (A2)
A2
German
Beginner
A1
Polish
Beginner
A1
Additional roles
- Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Enterprise Estonia (Estonian Innovation Agency)
- Member of the Supervisory Board of Estonian Environmental Research Centre
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Undersecretary of State for Economy and Innovation
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Estonia
07.2022 - Current
Data Reuse Programme Director
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Estonia
02.2022 - 06.2022
Head of Public Policy; Baltics, Romania, Bulgaria
Meta (Facebook)
08.2021 - 02.2022
Head of Public Policy; Nordics and Baltics / Global Head of Sustainability
Bolt
07.2019 - 07.2021
Global Affairs Director in the Government CIO Office
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Estonia
01.2018 - 07.2019
Counsellor for EU Digital Affairs
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
11.2016 - 01.2018
Stagiaire, (AD level cabinet member) to Vice-President for the Digital Single Market, Andrus Ansip
European Commission
09.2015 - 02.2016
Project Manager / Lecturer
TalTech
09.2013 - Current
PhD - Law (incomplete)
University of Lausanne
Master’s degree - Technology law
TalTech
Bachelor’s degree - European Union and International law
TalTech
Bachelor’s degree (incomplete) - Public Relations
Baltic Film And Media School (Tallinn University)
High school - Media and journalism
Pärnu GoEducational Gymnasion
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