Rowan Barnett leads Google.org in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. As a data-driven, human-focused philanthropist powered by Google, he oversees Google’s philanthropic funding, product donations, and employee giving and volunteering in the region, supporting innovative nonprofits using technology to tackle complex global challenges and create more opportunities for everyone.
In his previous roles at Google, Rowan also led Google.org’s philanthropy across the Asia Pacific and Google for Startups efforts to enable access to the tech ecosystem for diverse and underrepresented entrepreneurs and social innovators.
Before Google, he was a Senior Director at Twitter, responsible for user growth across many European and Emerging Markets, and spent eight years in journalism and social innovation at Axel Springer, as well as failing to be a successful entrepreneur.
Rowan serves on several advisory boards, including the nonprofit startup leadership network H2.co, and as a trustee of the Trialogue Educational Trust and Club of Three. He is also a Fellow of the Bertelsmann German Israeli Young Leaders initiative.
Rowan holds an MA in History from Oriel College, Oxford. With roots in eight countries, including dual English and German citizenship, he lives with his wife and three children in Berlin.