Stefania Yanachkov Joined McCourt Advisory Board
The Waymo transportation policy expert has been appointed as the 22nd member of the Georgetown University advisory board.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in People
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Georgetown University announced on September 23, 2026, that Stefania Yanachkov has joined the McCourt School of Public Policy's advisory board. She currently serves as a lead strategist and national transportation policy advisor at Waymo.
Why it matters
The board connects the academic institution with high-level policy experts to guide strategic decisions. This appointment brings industry expertise in autonomous transportation into the school's leadership framework.
Yanachkov is the 22nd active member of the McCourt School advisory board, which was founded in October 2021. The school itself was established approximately eight years before the board was created.
The players
Stefania Yanachkov
She is the lead strategist and national transportation policy advisor at the autonomous vehicle company Waymo.
McCourt School of Public Policy
It is a graduate school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., focused on policy research and education.
The details
As a board member, Yanachkov will participate in semiannual meetings with the dean and other school officials. The group provides strategic oversight to the McCourt School of Public Policy located in Washington, D.C.
Timeline
The McCourt advisory board was founded in October 2021.
Georgetown announced the appointment on September 23, 2026.
A target date for new AI guidelines is set for the end of the Spring 2027 semester.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows the established governance structure of the McCourt School of Public Policy advisory board. It positions the institution to better align its curriculum and policy research with the rapid advancements occurring in the commercial autonomous vehicle sector.
The involvement of industry experts like Yanachkov helps ensure the school's policy focus remains relevant to modern economic and technological shifts. Students and stakeholders may see closer integration between the school and current policy issues as a result.
The takeaway
Advisory boards serve as a bridge between high-level academic theory and real-world policy application. By recruiting experts from the private sector, schools can ensure their research remains aligned with current technological and regulatory developments.
What happens next
Georgetown University is expected to finalize a comprehensive set of guidelines governing the use of artificial intelligence in academic settings by the end of the Spring 2027 semester.
Further reading
For more on notable career movements and academic appointments in the capital, visit our People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Hoya.
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