Ayisha
Irfan
Public Policy · Strategic Response · Emerging Regulation
Public policy professional with 15+ years of experience across legislative advocacy, policy analysis, and tech. I have led equity-oriented, issue-based campaigns spanning education, immigration, policing, and tech policy — across both the public and private sectors.
A short introduction.
we translate values
into systems."
I am a Product Strategy & Ops Manager on Google's Knowledge & Information Trust team, focused on strategic response to emerging global AI and data regulations across Search, Maps, Shopping, Payments, and Ads.
Before Google, I led Tier 1 west-coast public policy for Airbnb — including its public commitment to provide accommodations for 20,000 Afghan newcomers, and national partnerships to house first responders and survivors during COVID-19. Earlier, I spent a decade in advocacy and government — most recently as Senior Equity Advisor at the Office of the Manhattan Borough President.
Outside of work, I serve on the board of the ACLU of Northern California and the Workforce Council of the Alliance for Decision Education. I am also the co-founder of the Muslim Writers Collective, a 501(c)(3) empowering Muslim voices through storytelling.
Selected experience.
- Global AI data policy lead for regulatory scrutiny of Google Search, Maps, Shopping, Payments, and Ads, leading cross-organizational alignment amid global regulatory change.
- Previously Global Android Competition Lead — antitrust and anti-competition policy lead for regulatory scrutiny of the Android ecosystem (Mexico, India, Korea, EU).
- Led North America local policy and partnerships for Airbnb's public commitment to provide accommodations for 20,000 Afghan newcomers.
- Led national public-private partnerships to house first responders and survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking during COVID-19.
- Responsible for all government relations work across Airbnb's highest revenue–generating markets (CA, WA, CO, MT, ID, UT) — from initial contact through legislation to compliance.
- Led and shaped the Borough President's legislative agenda on education, immigration, and policing.
- Led the office's involvement in school integration pilots across two Manhattan districts, serving 33,000+ students.
- Designed initiatives to build NYC's tech talent pipeline and led the effort to launch NYC's first data science–themed high school in East Harlem.
Boards & affiliations.
service alongside
professional work.
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ACLU of Northern California2024 — Present Board Member
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Alliance for Decision Education2024 — Present Workforce Council
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Muslim Writers Collective2014 — Present Co-Founder
In conversation.
Education.
Brooklyn-educated.
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M.A., Education & Social Policy (conc. Statistics)New York University
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B.S., Biology (minor in Accounting)CUNY — Brooklyn College