In Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality News
June 22, 2020 – Today, the XR Association (XRA), the trade association representing the technology manufacturers that power the virtual, augmented, and mixed reality industries, has named Joan O’Hara as its Senior Director of Public Policy.
According to XRA, O’Hara joins the organization from Booz Allen Hamilton where she served as a Principal and Director of Government Relations Policy, creating strategies for engagement with the federal government and major trade associations. Prior to joining Booz Allen, O’Hara served at the White House as Deputy Assistant to the President and Executive Secretary of the National Security Council, and as Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President. Earlier in her career, O’Hara was General Council of the House Committee on Homeland Security, where she developed legislation around issues such as cybersecurity and data encryption.
“With Joan on board as our first Senior Director of Public Policy, XRA is better positioned than ever to serve our membership and represent the XR industry before policymakers and other crucial stakeholders,” said XRA CEO, Elizabeth Hyman. “I look forward to working with Joan to continue raising awareness of the powerful applications of XR technology poised to change the world.”
O’Hara’s hiring builds on a year of growth for XRA, which recently saw the addition of Laura Chadwick as the Association’s first Senior Director for Industry Relations, and which in 2019 added Microsoft to its membership roster and appointed an inaugural executive leader. XRA stated that with experience in all levels of federal government, O’Hara is well-positioned to further the Association’s efforts to promote the responsible development of XR technology.
XRA is a non-profit trade organization representing hardware manufacturers across the broad XR industry, with current members including Facebook, Google, HTC VIVE, Microsoft, Samsung, and Sony Interactive Entertainment. The association promotes the responsible growth and development of XR technology, fosters dialogue among public and private stakeholders, develops industry best practices, and provides education, training, and marketing information related to the XR industry.
Image credit: XR Association
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Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.