As Vice President of the SAS Data Ethics Practice (DEP), Reggie Townsend leads a consistent and globally coordinated effort to provide strategies that empower employees and customers to deploy data-driven systems that promote human well-being, agency and equity. The DEP supports internal and external solutions, organized around advisory services and enablement, product strategy and thought leadership.

The US Department of Commerce has named Townsend to the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee (NAIAC). The NAIAC advises President Joe Biden and the National AI Initiative Office on a range of issues related to AI. Townsend also sits on the board of EqualAI, a nonprofit organization focused on reducing unconscious bias in the development and use of AI.

Previously, Townsend served as an Advisory Consulting Business Development Manager at SAS, where he delivered cloud, consulting and managed services engagements for the health care and life sciences industries. He has more than 20 years of experience in strategic planning, program management, consulting and business development, focusing on topics such as advanced analytics, cloud computing and AI. With visibility across multiple industries and sectors where the use of AI is growing, he combines this extensive business and technology expertise with a passion for equity and human empowerment.

Townsend holds a bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering from Southern Illinois University, as well as a master’s degree in business administration from the Illinois Institute of Technology. His other accomplishments include receiving the SAS CEO Award of Excellence, the company’s premier employee award that recognizes exceptional work and embodiment of core values, in 2021.

In addition, Townsend serves as Account Director for the Taproot Foundation, where he leads teams in pro bono consulting projects on behalf of nonprofit organizations throughout the Chicago area.