Marie Johnson is an eminent multi-award winning global digital authority. She is an author, writer and sought after speaker on Artificial Intelligence and cyber; an outspoken advocate for the humanitarian application of AI; and a relentless inclusion and accessibility advocate. At the forefront of Digital Transformation for decades - from the earliest days of the Internet, to current times working in AI and augmented service delivery.Marie was awarded the prestigious US Government O-1 Visa for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement for her former role as Microsoft’s Worldwide Executive Director of Public Services and eGovernment, with Microsoft stating Marie’s egovernment knowledge ‘...is unique in the world and is of particular interest to Microsoft as we pursue our egovernment strategies’.Marie was the Head of the Technology Authority for Australia’s National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and co-creator of Nadia. At the forefront of digital transformation for decades - Marie’s expertise includes the human experience in and geopolitics of complex servicing systems. Marie’s track record across the public and private sector in Australia and internationally, covers health and human services; disability services; global ehealth immigration and visa systems; tax; identity; and payments. The expanse of roles includes large scale service delivery operations; global technology; Chief Information Officer; Chief Technology Architect; intelligence analyst; and board director.She has successfully led and delivered major economy-wide and international digital transformation projects. Throughout her career, Marie’s extraordinary expertise has been sought by world leaders and global organisations on the geo-political and democratic dynamics of national technology.The innovation and digital initiatives Marie has led have been recognised globally. Marie was recognised as the 2006-2007 ‘Innovative CIO of the Year – Australia’; named one of Australia’s ‘100 Women of Influence” in 2013; and awarded the ‘Exceptional Woman of Excellence’ at the 2019 Women Economic Forum. Marie’s most cherished honour by far, is the 2022 ACT Mental Health Carer Award, recognising twenty years in the fight for justice as a mental health carer and advocate. Marie is a fitness enthusiast, weight lifter and hiker. She has been an active supporter of cardiac health and cancer research as a donor, fundraiser and active participant. This included shaving her head (yep, bald) for the World’s Greatest Shave, and running the 2012 London Marathon raising funds for the Leukaemia Foundation. Together Marie and Allan Johnson, a heart patient, ran the 2011 Melbourne Marathon, raising funds for the Australian Heart Foundation. Marie’s latest challenge is training for the ‘Murph Challenge’. The Murph Challenge is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our military and a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Marie has said that the Murph Challenge training will likely take three years. Allan Johnson, who is an Australian Veteran, will be her coach. As with training for the marathons, Marie’s goal is to commit to training; to complete the Challenge safely; and enjoy it. When asked, will she finish? Marie’s response is, who knows. But she will start. Marie says that one thing’s for sure. If you don’t start, you’ll never know what could have been possible. Read more about this authorRead less about this author