data.org today announces the addition of two new leaders to its executive team. 

Ginger Zielinskie joins data.org as Chief Strategy Officer, responsible for conceiving, managing, and executing strategic initiatives that best support and advance data.org’s mission. In this role, Ginger will also identify, build, and maximize strong partnerships — from global philanthropies to program partners to data science practitioners — to drive systematic and meaningful change and build a stronger, more data-driven social impact sector.   

Ginger most recently served as President and CEO of Benefits Data Trust (BDT), a nonprofit organization that helps people live healthier, more independent lives by creating smarter ways to access essential benefits and services. During her tenure at BDT, Ginger led the successful scaling and disciplined strategy that helped more than 800,000 people access benefits that help them eat, heat their homes, and enroll in healthcare.

Ginger earned her BA from Skidmore College and has an MBA in Social Policy and Management from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University.

data.org also welcomes Perry Hewitt as Chief Marketing Officer. As CMO, Perry will be responsible for the creation, management, and execution of data.org’s marketing and communications strategy, and will play a critical role in enhancing data.org’s global visibility. Perry will provide ongoing communications oversight of data.org’s thought leadership efforts, and also direct its digital product strategy.

Prior to data.org, Perry consulted the leadership of major cultural organizations and philanthropies on marketing strategy and digital product development. She most recently served as Vice President of Marketing for Ithaka, a not-for-profit with a mission to improve access to knowledge and education for people around the world, including the digital arts and humanities service, JSTOR. As Harvard University’s chief digital officer from 2009-2016, Perry conceived and led digital strategy for marketing, communications, and engagement, including the capital campaign which exceeded its goals for funding and widespread donor participation.

Perry holds an AB in Russian and Soviet Studies from Harvard University.

“After a successful first year, including the execution of a $10M Challenge for Inclusive Growth and Recovery, data.org has an ambitious agenda for its second year with expanded partnerships and programs to build and democratize the field of data science for social impact,” said Danil Mikhailov, executive director, data.org. “This path will require world-class strategy and creative outreach to the global community. Ginger and Perry, both with proven track records in delivering results using technology in the social sector, will be critical to achieving our goals. I am enormously excited they have agreed to join our team!”