Lenny Mendonca to Chair New America Board of Directors

New America is pleased to announce that long-time board member Lenny Mendonca has been appointed as the new chair of its board of directors.

Mendonca, a Senior Partner Emeritus from the Washington D.C. and San Francisco offices of McKinsey & Company, has been on the board of New America since 2004. Over the course of his career, he founded McKinsey’s U.S. state and local public sector practice, oversaw the McKinsey Global Institute, and served for a decade on the McKinsey Shareholder Council (their Board of Directors). He has extensive board experience and is involved in numerous aspects of policymaking at the federal, state, and local levels.

“I am excited to have this opportunity to help lead New America as we continue to grow our impact around the country, and challenge the idea of a traditional think tank,” said Mendonca.

Previous co-chairmen, Jonathan Soros and Reihan Salam, will remain. “Lenny is a champion for New America’s mission and has provided valuable counsel for the expansion of our work in California,” said Soros. “We are grateful for our time as co-chairs and for the important work New America does.” 

“I am delighted Lenny will take on this role and confident he will shepherd New America forward as its impact expands,” said Salam. 

“I am grateful for Jonathan and Reihan for their leadership of the board through an important period at New America. Their support and ideas have been critical and I look forward to their continued engagement,” said New America President and CEO Anne-Marie Slaughter. “I could not be more delighted to welcome Lenny, whom I originally met when I joined the New America board in 2004. I look forward to working together to take New America forward."

New America’s board of directors includes leaders from media, civil society, and the private sector.