Presidents' Council
Virginia Blaser is a Co-founder and CEO of Auxilia, a tech-inspired business operations company. After retiring as the CEO and board chair of a global tech company focused on machine learning and AI in open-source intelligence, she established Auxilia to continue her work at the intersection of technology and leadership. Previously, Virginia served for over three decades as a senior U.S. diplomat across three continents, including acting as ambassador to five African nations. Her unique blend of experience in diplomacy, technology, and leadership positions her as a respected global voice in AI development.
Virginia has led complex teams managing annual budgets of up to $1 billion, delivering significant diplomatic outcomes such as mediating and negotiating commercial, security, and military treaties. Recognized for her advocacy in human rights, women’s empowerment, youth employment, and technological innovation, she earned numerous awards, including the prestigious Presidential Rank Award.
Author of The Manager’s Workbook, Virginia provides guidance on enhancing management effectiveness across sectors. Her insights appear in various think pieces, op-eds, and industry publications in the foreign policy and technology realms.
Virginia lectures at the Washington International Diplomatic Academy, serves on the U.S. Leadership Council for Women in National Security, and sits on the board of Cape BPO, an organization supporting training and employment for women and youth in South Africa. Outside of her professional life, Virginia is a licensed buchu farmer, expert-ranked markswoman, novice artist, and mother of four. She and her husband spend much of their time in Cape Town.