WASHINGTON, D.C. – data.org announced today that experienced nonprofit executive and philanthropic advisor Lance Pierce will serve as its next chief executive officer. Lance has worked for Fortune 100 companies and with social impact leaders worldwide, most recently serving as CEO of NetHope, Inc., a consortium of over 60 global nonprofits that partner with tech companies and funders to design and scale solutions to the world’s most significant humanitarian challenges.
Pierce has twice been recognized with the Power and Influence 50 award by the NonProfit Times, and his thought leadership has been sought out by The White House, the World Economic Forum, SXSW, and others.
“Lance Pierce brings a rare combination of nonprofit leadership and deep fluency in how data and AI can drive equitable impact,” said Shamina Singh, founder and president of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, a founding funder and longtime champion of data.org. “Under Lance’s leadership, data.org is well-positioned to accelerate its efforts to translate data and AI innovations into real-world outcomes for people and communities around the world.”
During his time at NetHope, Pierce oversaw a transformation of the organization, launching a new strategic plan, raising $18 million in new funding in his first two years, growing unrestricted assets tenfold, and leading double-digit increases in staff and member satisfaction.
“I have collaborated with some of the world’s biggest tech companies and learned from some of the most effective nonprofits about how data and AI can support more equitable, resilient, and prosperous futures,” said Pierce. “data.org is not only a trusted partner for good in this space, but an accelerant. I am honored to join this team at a time when we can equip purpose-driven practitioners and their organizations to expand their options and build the capacity to use technology in support of healthy and thriving people and communities.”
His prior executive leadership roles include serving as President and CEO of CDP North America, the world’s largest voluntary data platform for investors, corporations, and cities to manage performance on climate, and Executive Director/COO of pioneering sustainable investing organization Ceres. Immediately following his graduate studies, he was tapped by leading Harvard faculty to serve as the Launch Director for the Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative, a university-wide program focused on helping catalyze next-stage social, environmental, and philanthropic ventures.
Pierce has served on multiple boards in his career, including currently the boards of Vitas Microfinance Group and The Surpluss, a leading AI-powered platform focused on supply chain sustainability. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Kentucky, where he is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council, and he holds graduate degrees from New York University and the Harvard Kennedy School.
About data.org
data.org is accelerating the power of data and AI to solve some of the world’s biggest problems. Through our global innovation challenges that surface and scale breakthrough ideas, and by elevating the most effective tools and strategies, we are catalyzing the use of data and AI for social impact. By 2032, we will train a workforce of one million purpose-driven data practitioners to help improve the quality of life for people everywhere.
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