SHAWN A. COVELL
Senior Director, International Government Affairs, QUALCOMM
Shawn Covell is senior director of International Government Affairs for QUALCOMM. In this capacity, Covell leads QUALCOMM’s Wireless Reach™ initiative worldwide. Wireless Reach supports programs and solutions that bring the benefits of connectivity to developing communities globally. By working with its partners, Wireless Reach creates new ways for people to communicate, learn, access healthcare and reach global markets. The goal of Wireless Reach is to create sustainable advanced wireless projects that strengthen economic and social development with a focus on education, governance, healthcare and public safety. Covell oversees Wireless Reach programs currently taking place in China, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Previously, in her role as senior director of Southeast Asia Government Affairs, Covell directed QUALCOMM's public policy agenda and its relationship with government entities in Southeast Asia. She worked with ministries of communication and independent regulators on national frequency allocation plans, 3G regulations and 3G licensing. Covell also worked with several multilateral organizations, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Telecommunications working group and the Asia Pacific Telecommunity to advance QUALCOMM’s policy agenda.
Covell started at QUALCOMM in 1999 as manager of State and Local Government Affairs. In this role, she handled policy on key corporate issues such as privacy, wireless 9-1-1, education and taxation. Prior to joining QUALCOMM, Covell was manager of Congressional Affairs at the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA), the largest U.S. wireless industry association. She began her career in politics in 1994 working at the U.S. Capitol as an aide to former Congresswoman Lynn Schenk.
Covell graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in political science and an emphasis in international relations.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on CDMA and other advanced technologies. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Qualcomm is included in the S&P 100 Index, the S&P 500 Index and is a 2008 FORTUNE® 500 company. For more information, please visit www.qualcomm.com.