New America Appoints Reihan Salam and Jonathan Soros as Board Chairs

At its May board of directors meeting, New America today announced that members Reihan Salam and Jonathan Soros would be appointed as co-chairs of the board. 

“New America is committed to renewing America in the Digital Age, through a combination of big ideas, technology and policy, and broad public engagement,” said President and CEO Anne-Marie Slaughter. “Our board reflects our mission and values, breaking out of traditional ideological categories at a time of intense partisanship and deadlock in our nation’s politics. Jonathan and Reihan represent the next generation in American politics and ideas and capture our ability to engage each other and the country at large across the political spectrum. They will be leading a strong and diverse board of talented thinkers, writers, investors, and leaders, fostering innovative thinking to confront society’s most pressing challenges.”

Salam, executive editor of National Review, joined New America’s board in September 2015. He is the co-author of Grand New Party: How Republicans Can Win the Working Class and Save the American Dream together with Ross Douthat.

“I think of New America as one of my intellectual homes. As a former fellow, I appreciate its role as an independent incubator of big ideas that lead to policy. It is a model for how to create bold thinking independent of the current political divisions.” 

Soros is the chief executive of JS Capital Management LLC, a private investment firm. He has been a member of New America’s board since 2012. 

“New America was founded to pursue ideas and policy without ideology.  The need for New America is as great now as it's ever been. I'm proud to be joining Anne-Marie Slaughter and Reihan Salam in the next era of leadership in pursuit of that mission.” 

Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Alphabet, Inc. is stepping down as New America board chair after helping guide the organization since 2008, and will remain on the board as Chairman Emeritus. “I thank Eric for his strong leadership of the board and steady support of New America under Steve Coll’s and my leadership. I have been lucky to have him at my side and am delighted that he will remain a member of the New America family,” said Slaughter. 

“New America is a place committed to big ideas and the intersection of technology and policy,” said Schmidt. “In my eight years as board chair, I have been so proud to be a part of New America’s groundbreaking work and its impact on all our lives. I’m excited by Jonathan and Reihan’s leadership and am thrilled to keep serving on the board to support their and Anne-Marie’s work.”

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