John Paul Farmer is the Global Head of Public Sector at Stripe, where he leads partnerships helping governments modernize public services and strengthen digital economies through innovative financial technology. A civic innovator and former public servant, John previously served as the Chief Technology Officer for the City of New York, where he advanced award-winning initiatives such as the NYC Artificial Intelligence Strategy, Internet of Things Strategy, and Internet Master Plan. He also launched programs like the NYC Digital Service, Digital Reserve, and Innovation Fellows, and co-chaired the global Cities Coalition for Digital Rights.
Earlier in his career, John was President of WeLink Cities, expanding broadband access to address the digital divide in U.S. and international cities, and Managing Director of Microsoft Cities, where he built partnerships to co-design technology solutions that make communities more equitable and connected. He also served in the Obama White House as Senior Advisor for Innovation, co-founding the Presidential Innovation Fellows program to bring leading technologists into government.
John has been a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, an Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University, and has been featured in Fortune, Forbes, Fast Company, WIRED, and the Harvard Business Review. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and an AB in Government from Harvard University.