Tom Glaisyer is the Executive Advisor to the President at Democracy Fund, an independent foundation that champions the leaders who defend American democracy and challenge our political system to be more open and just. As Executive Advisor, Tom works with the organization’s leadership to anticipate and plan for long-term threats and opportunities.
Tom brings to Democracy Fund a background in media research and policy, as well as social media advocacy consulting. He led the Media Policy Initiative at the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute where he sought to track and influence media efforts at the local, community, and national levels. During his time at New America, Tom’s efforts centered on policies that support the open Internet and innovation in media, strengthening independent reporting on issues of public interest, and helping citizens access and engage with high-quality information. Tom also brings more than 14 years of international experience in information technology implementation and organizational change to Democracy Fund.
Tom received his bachelor of engineering and economics from the University of Birmingham, England. He holds a master’s of international affairs from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University as well as an M. Phil and Ph.D from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, where he wrote his dissertation on the future of the public square.
He serves as board secretary for the Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding.