iMasons Advisory Council + Inaugural Global Policy Forum
Responsible Digital Infrastructure: From Backlash to a New Social Accord
Thursday, November 5, 2026
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET
Washington, DC
By invitation only. Convened under the Chatham House Rule.
About the Event:
Join iMasons in Washington for the inaugural in-person convening of the iMasons Global Policy Forum, a working day that brings the iMasons Advisory Council together with the iMasons Global Policy Forum Steering Committee and leaders from government, industry, communities, academia, investment and other strategic partners.
Digital infrastructure is no longer only an industry issue. It is an economic, energy, political and community issue, and as AI accelerates demand, public scrutiny and local opposition are rising with it. The Forum will advance the Social Accord's Framework for Responsible Data Center Development and launch a multi-stakeholder Consortium to turn shared principles into credible, measurable commitments.
Why Attend?
- Get a candid, fact-based read on the data center backlash and what the 2026 midterm results mean for AI, energy, permitting and federal-state policy.
- Shape the iMasons Social Accord and the Consortium that will carry it forward, alongside the state, city and community partners it must serve.
- Leave with clear recommendations and a 30/60/90-day agenda that turns the day's dialogue into action.
Agenda:
9:00 – 9:30 AM
Welcome & Opening Charge: Welcome, Housekeeping & Opening Charge: Why We Are Here
Welcome and framing of the day. Digital infrastructure has moved from an industry issue to a major economic, energy, political and community issue. As AI accelerates demand for infrastructure, public scrutiny and opposition are also increasing. The Social Accord, in partnership with the Global Policy Forum, is seeking to build a trusted bridge among industry, policymakers, communities and other stakeholders with the goal of turning action into impact, developing practical solutions and commitments for responsible digital infrastructure that can be measured.
Cyre Mercedes Quiñones
CEO
Infrastructure Masons
9:30 – 10:00 AM
Reality Check: Understanding the Data Center Backlash
A fact-based briefing on the state of the industry, changing public and political environment surrounding data centers and AI infrastructure. What are communities, policymakers and the media saying? Where is opposition growing? What is driving concerns about electricity costs, water, land use, environmental impacts and community benefit, and which concerns require substantive changes rather than better communications?
Alison Ellz
Director of Sales
Heatmap Pro
10:00 – 11:00 AM
Washington After the Midterms: What Changed?
Political & Policy Roundtable
A fast-paced discussion of the 2026 midterm election results and their implications for AI, energy, digital infrastructure, affordability, permitting and federal-state policy. What changed politically? What should the industry anticipate from Washington and the states? And what issues are likely to shape the political environment heading toward 2028? Insights followed by Q&A from the audience.
Jennifer Gallagher (Moderator)
Head of Government Affairs
Iron Mountain
Robert Blizzard
Founder & President
UpOne Insights
Alex Lundry
President
Red Bud Consulting
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Outside-In: What Does Responsible Development Look Like to States & Communities?
What do governors, mayors, counties and communities need from the industry? What would make a responsible infrastructure framework credible rather than simply another industry pledge? How can we collaborate best as a consortium to measure success and ensure accountability for communities?
Jay Chittooran (Moderator)
SVP
Stack Infrastructure
Kate Johnson
Regional Director, North America
C40 Cities
Cassie Powers
Chief of Staff
NASEO
Daniel Lauf
Energy Program Director
National Governors Association
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Lunch Speaker: The Stakes for America's AI & Infrastructure Leadership
A big-picture conversation connecting AI leadership, infrastructure, energy, economic competitiveness and public legitimacy. The speaker will engage the group to consider the larger consequences of getting this transformation right or wrong.
Alex Fitzsimmons
Associate Deputy Secretary of Energy and Senior Advisor to the Secretary
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
1:00 – 2:00 PM
From Framework to Consortium: Building Alignment Across the Industry
Presentations from key stakeholders and initiative leaders aimed at bringing together industry, standards and technical organizations, community and public-interest organizations, and federal, state and local government.
Sarah Welton (Moderator)
Executive Director
iMasons Social Accord
Nora Wang Esram
CEO
New Buildings Institute
Matthew Trowbridge, MD, MPH
Associate Professor
UVA
Erin McPike
FTI Consulting
Infrastructure for America (IFA) & Centered Around You
Rachel Ross
Vice President, Energy and Infrastructure Policy
Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)
2:15 – 3:30 PM
Full Group Working Sessions: From Dialogue to Action
Participants will consider trust, communications, and community engagement as well as measurement & accountability to work towards meaningful impact.
Chris Hare
Head of Narrative Strategy
Stillpoint Global Advisors
Cyre Mercedes Quiñones
CEO
Infrastructure Masons
3:30 – 4:00 PM
From Dialogue to Delivery: The 30/60/90-Day + 6/12-Month Roadmap
Closing discussion and call to action.
The proposed path forward builds on the Social Accord's existing implementation roadmap: establish consensus around the high-level principles, Consortium composition and external affairs strategy; begin Washington, state and community stakeholder engagement; then establish the initial accountability structure, identify potential pilot projects and secure research or university partnerships. Participants will be invited to identify how they or their organizations can join, advise, validate, pilot, partner, convene or support the next stage of the work.
Cyre Mercedes Quiñones
CEO
Infrastructure Masons
Jeannie Salo
Senior Strategic Advisor
iMasons Global Policy Forum
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Global Policy Forum Reception
A relaxed reception for attending Advisory Council members, Global Policy Forum participants, external speakers, prospective Consortium partners and invited guests.
Meeting Format:
This is an external-facing working forum, not an industry-only meeting. Participants will include leaders from industry, government, communities, NGOs, standards and technical organizations, academia, utilities, investors and other strategic partners.
The Global Policy Forum is intended to create a bridge among policymakers, infrastructure operators, technology companies, utilities, investors, researchers and communities while translating convening into policy principles, workstreams, pilots and measurable follow-through.
All substantive discussions will be conducted under the Chatham House Rule to encourage candid dialogue, constructive disagreement and meaningful collaboration.
Sponsors:
Registration:
Attendance is by invitation only. If you have received an invitation, please confirm your attendance below.