AI Strategy and Governance for Public Interest Organizations

I help mission-driven organizations figure out what AI makes sense for them, how to adopt it safely, and how to govern it properly. People and processes first. Technology second.

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Start with better questions

Most organizations are approaching AI backwards.They're asking "which tools should we use" before they've asked "what problem are we actually trying to solve." They're adopting AI because everyone else is, not because it serves their mission. They're automating broken processes instead of fixing them first.I work with boards, leadership teams, and programme staff to ask the right questions before you commit resources. What problem are you solving? Is AI the right solution? Which tools actually fit your context? Who needs to be consulted? What could go wrong if this works exactly as designed?I help you figure out what to adopt, how to adopt it, and how to govern it once it's in use. Not just risk management, but practical strategy for organizations that can't afford to get this wrong.

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How I work

AI Strategy & Readiness
Before you adopt AI, you need to know what you're solving for and whether AI is the right answer. I help you assess readiness, evaluate which tools actually fit your mission and capacity, and prioritize decisions based on impact. This includes practical recommendations on what to adopt, what to avoid, and how to phase implementation.AI Governance & Policy
Once you're using AI, you need frameworks to manage it properly. I work with boards and leadership to create governance structures that give you visibility and control. This includes vendor oversight, change management processes, board-level accountability frameworks, and EU AI Act compliance guidance.Digital Transformation
Most AI adoption fails because organizations try to automate before they fix what's broken. I help you design better processes, clarify decision rights, and integrate technology in ways that actually improve how you work, starting with governance fundamentals that make adoption sustainable.

Writing and speaking

I write and speak about AI governance and technology accountability. Here are a few examples:The Guardrail Illusion: What the Pentagon’s AI Deal Reveals About Safety Theatre. Lessons from the Pentagon’s AI showdown for mission-driven organisationsAI Sovereignty for Whom? European AI Sovereignty doesn't solve the governance problemEveryone's Building AI Agents. No one's asking why. How to build systems that hide problems instead if surfacing themWhen AI Forgets What Communities Know. Inside the technical processes that sideline community knowledge, even when it's present in the data

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What clients say

"Working with Helen was brilliant. She is so knowledgeable about AI, both the risks and benefits. She was able to apply these to our sector easily, making the workshop specific and tailored." Imogen Hardman, Head of Operations, Medical Justice"Helen provided us with a really excellent value for money discovery piece of work to help us evaluate the use of AI in our organisations and think of next steps in order for us to better prepare for the integration of our AI into our work in a safe, ethical and purposeful way. A great approach from a very knowledgable professional." Carolina Albuerne, Director, ASYLOS"Thanks very much for a very useful session, plus the really insightful and helpful materials. The session and materials were a really positive push forward on the path towards a clearer approach to AI for my organisation." Alice Webb, Co-Director, Asylum Support Appeals Project"Helen facilitated an excellent AI Readiness & Safe Adoption Sprint for a group of CEOs. We were all at very different stages on our AI journey, but Helen's deep knowledge and detailed approach meant that the training was helpful for everyone". Olivia Clark, CEO, Refugee Legal Support

I'm Helen Kearney. I've spent 15+ years working in digital transformation for humanitarian and development contexts, including senior roles at the Danish Refugee Council's H2H Network, Equal Measures 2030, and Terre des hommes. I've seen what happens when organizations chase technology without asking the hard questions first. I've also seen what's possible when they get it right.I work with nonprofits, foundations, UN agencies, and public institutions navigating everything from AI strategy and tool selection to governance frameworks and EU AI Act compliance. My clients value practical advice over theoretical frameworks, and solutions that actually get implemented rather than filed away.I understand the tech: what different AI tools can and can't do, what's realistic for your capacity, what the trade-offs are. But I also understand mission-driven contexts and I know you're optimizing for equity and accountability, not just efficiency.My approach: people and processes first, technology second. Ask hard questions before adopting tools. Govern what you build.