Auden Laurence joins Google.org to help lead global youth digital safety strategy

The former McKinsey Associate Partner will work on youth digital safety and wellbeing as Google.org continues programs spanning AI literacy, education and technology-enabled learning

Auden Laurence has joined Google.org to help lead its global strategy for youth digital safety and wellbeing

Auden Laurence has joined Google.org to help lead its global strategy for youth digital safety and wellbeing, moving to Google after almost a decade connected with McKinsey & Company.

Laurence started at Google in August 2026 and is based in New York. Announcing the appointment on LinkedIn, she said her new work would focus on making digital environments safer and more supportive for children.

“I care deeply about making the world a safe and nurturing place for children and could not be more excited about the potential for impact in this space,” she wrote.

The appointment brings Laurence into Google.org as its education work increasingly spans AI literacy, digital skills and technology-enabled teaching and learning.

Its current programs include a $10 million commitment to expand Experience AI, a program created by the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Google DeepMind that helps educators teach young people about artificial intelligence and safe use of AI tools.

Google.org also funds workforce and education organizations through its global AI Opportunity Funds and supports technology projects aimed at improving teaching and learning.

From McKinsey to youth digital safety

Laurence joins from McKinsey & Company, where her most recent position was Associate Partner.

She previously worked as an Engagement Manager and held roles including Senior Business Analyst, Business Analyst and Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Global Managing Partner.

Her time with McKinsey stretched across much of the past decade, with Laurence describing the firm on LinkedIn as “an integral part of the fabric of my life.”

The new Google.org role shifts her focus directly onto young people’s experiences with technology, with a remit helping shape global strategy around digital safety and wellbeing.

Laurence said she plans to work with teams and external partners as part of that work.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with exceptional teams and partners to advance this important work,” she continued.

Google.org expands work around AI and young people

Youth digital safety sits alongside a wider Google.org portfolio focused on knowledge, skills and learning.

Its AI Literacy & Fluency work supports organizations developing educational resources for young people and educators. Experience AI, backed by $10 million in Google.org funding, is being expanded to help more teachers introduce AI skills and safe AI use in classrooms.

The organization also supports technology-enabled teaching and learning projects. One example is work by DataKind with John Jay College, where an AI model was developed to identify students considered most at risk of dropping out. Google.org states that the graduation rate for seniors at John Jay College rose from 54% to 86% over two years, with help from the model developed alongside Google.org fellows.

Other education initiatives include Blockly, Google’s visual programming editor, which underpins block-based coding products including Scratch and Code.org.

Laurence began her Google.org role in August 2026, with her remit focused on the organization’s global strategy for youth digital safety and wellbeing.