WASHINGTON—The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) today announced that Daniel Castro will take over as ITIF’s president in May 2026. Castro will succeed Robert D. Atkinson who will retire at the end of April after two decades at the helm.
Atkinson founded ITIF in 2006 and led the Washington, DC-based educational institute as it grew from a start-up enterprise to become the world’s top-ranked think tank for science and technology policy, according to the University of Pennsylvania’s long-running Global Go-To Think Tank Index.
Castro is a recognized authority on a wide range of issues at the intersection of technology, innovation, regulation, and society. He joined ITIF in 2007 and has long been a key member of its leadership team, serving as vice president and director of ITIF’s Center for Data Innovation.
Robert D. Atkinson
“ITIF will be in good hands with Daniel leading it forward as president, because he has been instrumental in its growth and success so far,” said Atkinson. “Daniel has led ITIF’s work on cross-cutting issues ranging from Internet policy and digital governance to AI and other emerging technologies, and he has built the Center for Data Innovation into a well-recognized, highly respected, and influential voice on data-related policy. He has also been a principal driver of innovation inside ITIF, helping to steer our policy focus, implement new operational systems, shape communications strategy and tactics, and expand our global footprint.”
Castro’s expertise spans AI governance, Internet policy, and regulation of emerging technologies. His work is cited frequently in leading media outlets; he speaks frequently at major policy forums around the world; and he is a trusted policy adviser, having served on policy councils in government and in the private sector.
Daniel Castro
“I am honored to take the baton from Rob as president of ITIF,” said Castro. “Rob has laid the groundwork by building ITIF into the premier voice on technology and innovation policy, and we are all grateful for his extraordinary leadership. As we look to the future, ITIF’s role in championing innovation globally will be more important than ever. With technologies such as robotics, quantum computing, and clean energy advancing rapidly, our ongoing mission will be to formulate, evaluate, and promote policy solutions that accelerate innovation and boost productivity to spur growth, opportunity, and progress. I am excited to lead ITIF into this next chapter.”
ITIF’s board unanimously selected Castro to be the organization’s next president after engaging in a thorough, deliberative process. Moving forward, Castro will be supported by the rest of ITIF’s senior leadership team, including Vice President Stephen Ezell, Chief Communications Officer and Managing Editor Randolph Court, and Chief Development Officer Jackie Whisman, plus ITIF’s prolific group of policy directors and analysts.
Under Castro’s leadership, ITIF will continue to focus on host of critical issues at the intersection of technological innovation and public policy, including economic issues related to innovation, productivity, and competitiveness; technology issues in the areas of IT and data, broadband telecommunications, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and clean energy; and overarching policy and regulatory frameworks related to competition, public investment, taxes, and trade.
“Rob is leaving ITIF in the hands of a strong leader and a highly capable team,” said board co-chair Philip English. Co-chair Ron Kind added, “Daniel and the rest of the team will continue to build on ITIF’s solid foundation as we move forward.”
