Every student’s path to Harvard Kennedy School is unique, and what our alumni go on to do after graduating is equally varied.
We asked several HKS alums to tell us about their experiences before, during, and after HKS, and to reflect how their time at HKS has shaped their careers and lives.
Gabriel Parra MPP 2021 has used his HKS experience to help shape responsible, inclusive tech policy across Latin America.
Here’s what he shared.
“My education at HKS was comprehensive: it equipped me with technical policy skills, deepened my understanding of high-impact technology policy issues, and strengthened my leadership abilities, preparing me to be an effective public policy professional.”
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2023Starts working as a public policy manager in the Andean Region at TikTok
Gabriel oversees government relations and public policy across five countries: Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Venezuela. His work focuses on strengthening relationships with governments, authorities, civil society organizations, and key digital ecosystem stakeholders. He also develops partnerships that generate positive, lasting community impact, contributing to a more responsible digital ecosystem and empowering communities to benefit from digital platforms.
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2021Begins role as regional public policy manager at Asociación Latinoamericana de Internet (ALAI)
In this role, Gabriel led advocacy strategies across the Andean Region and Southern Cone; coordinated industry consensus on issues including privacy, AI, content moderation, digital taxation, and safety; and represented the tech industry in congressional hearings and international discussions.
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2021Graduates from HKS
“Many of the skills I learned at HKS—policy analysis, negotiation, leadership, and multi-stakeholder engagement—continue to guide my work today. Beyond skills, I also developed a strong network of HKS alumni, friends, faculty, and tech policy colleagues, which has been invaluable in shaping my career and perspectives.”
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2021
Gabriel earned Distinction on his PAE, which examined alternative regulatory approaches to the coca plant and its derivatives in Colombia.
He was also active in the Colombian Caucus, Latin American (LATAM) Caucus, and AI & Tech Caucus.
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2019
At HKS, Gabriel served as a teaching assistant for Digital Government with Professor David Eaves, with whom he continues to exchange ideas. He also expanded his knowledge of tech policy through courses such as IGA-236: Cybersecurity: Technology, Policy, and Law with Professor Bruce Schneier and studied development challenges in DEV-120: Why Are So Many Countries Poor, Volatile, and Unequal? with Professor Ricardo Hausmann. To strengthen his leadership and communication skills, he took DPI-802M: The Arts of Communication and DPI-351M: Lobbying: Theory, Practice, and Simulations, which he continues to apply in his daily work.
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2018Applies to HKS
“I decided to apply to HKS to transition my career from business development to public policy, with a focus on tech policy. I saw—and continue to see—tremendous opportunities to make an impact in this space, especially by applying a more technical and practical mindset. I also wanted to contribute more positively to society, particularly in Latin America, by helping shape policies that foster responsible and inclusive technology use.”
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2016Gets promoted to partner development senior associate at Google
Gabriel led channel sales strategy across Colombia, Central America, and the Caribbean, overseeing programs for small businesses and supporting the digital transformation of thousands of enterprises across the region. During this period, he developed a growing interest in the regulatory and policy frameworks needed to support inclusive digital development, which led him to dedicating his career to tech policy.
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2015Participates in the Global Business Rotation Program at Google
He worked in Lagos and Nairobi, collaborating with local teams in business development and supporting the Next Billion Users initiative.
“This experience broadened my perspective on digital inclusion and the global impact of emerging technologies.”
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2014Begins new role as an associate account manager at Google
Gabriel advised multinational companies and governments on digital transformation strategies. Partnering with both private and public sector institutions, he saw firsthand how data-driven decision-making and digital transformation can create competitive advantages, drive economic growth, and advance public policy goals.
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2012Becomes an industry analyst at Google
Gabriel assessed the digital readiness of Central America and Caribbean countries, developed go-to-market strategies, and co-published the region’s first Research Online, Purchase Offline study.
“This role exposed me to the structural challenges and opportunities shaping internet adoption in emerging markets.”
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2011Works as an account executive at Nielsen
Gabriel supported Colombia’s largest retailers with market research to improve sales and inventory management. He also observed the untapped potential of online and digital sales channels, sparking his early interest in how data and technology can transform traditional markets.
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2011Graduates from Universidad de Los Andes with a bachelor’s degree in business administration
“Completing a joint degree in both the United States and Colombia gave me a strong foundation in business and management across developed and emerging economies.”
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2010Graduates from Tulane University with a bachelor’s degree in management
