Francella Ochillo, J.D.
Adjunct Instructor
Francella Ochillo is an attorney, public affairs strategist, and public interest advocate with more than a decade of experience at the intersection of government, technology, and community engagement. Her work focuses on ensuring that public policy reflects the perspectives and lived experiences of the communities it serves, particularly as emerging technologies reshape economic opportunity and civic life.
Francella previously served as Director of Public Engagement at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, where she established the public engagement function for the $42 billion Internet for All initiative. In this role, she developed strategies to engage state and local governments, community organizations, industry leaders, advocates, and other stakeholders while incorporating community perspectives into federal policy and program implementation.
As a Technology and Society Fellow at Georgetown University, Francella was detailed to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce, where she advised members of Congress on emerging technology, privacy, consumer protection, and data policy. She also served as Executive Director of Next Century Cities, leading a national coalition of local leaders working to advance digital equity and community-centered technology policy.
Francella brings extensive experience in public affairs, cross-sector coalition building, congressional testimony, federal agency working groups, grant selection, and policy research to the classroom. Her expertise helps students examine how strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, technology, and public policy intersect in complex professional and civic environments.
Francella holds a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, and a Bachelor of Science from Morgan State University. She is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and a member of the District of Columbia Bar.