Lilian Coral Joins New America as Head of Open Technology Institute, and Technology and Democracy Programs

Lilian Coral, an experienced public interest and technology leader, has joined New America as Senior Director of the Open Technology Institute (OTI) and Head of New America’s Technology and Democracy Programs. Coral will oversee New America’s work on a broad range of issues at the intersection of technology and democracy at a time when digital equity, privacy concerns, online free expression, and other key tech policy issues are at the forefront of U.S. public debate.

Coral served most recently as Director of National Strategy and Tech Innovation at the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation, managing a portfolio of more than $55 million in investments supporting innovations in data accessibility and trust, urban mobility, and technology in public spaces as part of the foundation’s resident-centered technology strategy. Prior to the Knight Foundation, Coral was Chief Data Officer for the City of Los Angeles. Appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti, she led an effort to increase transparency and use open data to promote greater equity and opportunity for all of Los Angeles’ residents. Coral was also the founding Director of 2-1-1 California, a network of 26 organizations helping 33 million Californians access food, housing, job training, after-school programs, and more.

“Lilian is a strategic thinker who brings deep experience at the cross-section of technology and policy—with a passion for putting people at the center of both,” said New America Chief Executive Officer Anne-Marie Slaughter. “Her work will be integral in spearheading New America’s efforts to define and create a more inclusive digital future that builds on and strengthens democratic values.”

"I am excited to join New America at a moment when equitable access to technology has never been more vital,” said Lilian Coral, Senior Director, Open Technology Institute and Technology and Democracy Programs. “I look forward to building on OTI's long history and critically important mission. We need to ensure every American has access to an internet that is open, safe, and helps uplift communities. But we all recognize that access alone is not sufficient. This means developing guardrails to make sure we all benefit from the opportunities the internet affords —and imagining a truly democratic digital public realm that is a key pillar in renewing the promise of America."

Coral holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a bachelor’s degree from University of California, Irvine.