MIAMI – Jan. 13, 2021 – Kelly Jin, chief analytics officer for the City of New York and head of the Mayor’s Office of Data Analytics, will join the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as vice president for community and national initiatives in February.

Jin pairs broad analytics experience in both the public and private sectors with a deep understanding of policy and strategy for federal, state and local governments. Her New York City team focuses on delivering insights for a more equitable and efficient city. Her office recently launched the NYC Recovery Data Partnership, a first-of-its-kind effort for community, non-profit, and private organizations to share data with the City to aid in COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.

Previously, she was a director at the Laura and John Arnold Foundation and worked in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where she advised the chief technology officer of the United States. She built the City of Boston’s analytics team, working alongside front-line workers to gain a deeper understanding of how to collect data to make informed decisions and recommendations.

“We welcome Kelly and look forward to working with her to create more informed, engaged and equitable communities,” said AIberto Ibargüen, Knight’s president. “She brings a razor-sharp mind bent on using technology for positive impact in American communities.”

Community and National Initiatives is Knight’s largest program area — ahead of Journalism, Arts and Learning and Impact — and includes local offices in eight communities around the country where the Knight brothers once published newspapers. Knight works through community foundations in 18 other communities, and has national programs focusing on public spaces and smart cities.

“Now, more than ever, it is pivotal to support equitable recovery in communities. I am excited to join an organization with such deep local roots and a commitment to empowering communities with the information they need to shape their futures,” said Jin.

“Knight Foundation’s commitment to communities across the U.S is essential for connecting local teams to collaborate on and share innovations and working practices with neighbors. Kelly has experience with data and tech inclusive approaches, bringing operational skills to lifting this network talent,” said Megan Smith, the CEO of shift7, and former U.S. CTO. “Combining this with Knight’s broad city networks can help us all move faster locally and across communities.”

Jin speaks nationally on using data and technology to responsibly improve governments and organizations. Her teams and projects have been featured in Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Economist, New York Times, PBS NewsHour, Wired, City & State, and Governing. Jin holds a degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

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Contact: Andrew Sherry, Vice President/Communications, Knight Foundation, [email protected], (305) 908-2677