---
title: "Castro Succeeds Atkinson as President of ITIF"
summary: |-
  Daniel Castro officially took the helm today as president of ITIF, succeeding Robert D. Atkinson, who founded the organization in 2006 and led it to become the world’s top-ranked think tank for science and technology policy.
date: "2026-05-04"
content_type: "Press Releases"
canonical_url: "https://itif.org/publications/2026/05/04/castro-succeeds-atkinson-as-president-of-itif/"
---

# Castro Succeeds Atkinson as President of ITIF

WASHINGTON—[Daniel Castro](https://itif.org/person/daniel-castro/) officially took the helm today as president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), succeeding [Robert D. Atkinson](https://itif.org/person/robert-d-atkinson/), who founded ITIF in 2006 and led it to become the world’s top-ranked think tank for science and technology policy. Castro will now build on ITIF’s strong foundation by leading its prolific team of policy analysts and fellows as they carry out the organization’s mission of formulating, evaluating, and promoting policy solutions that accelerate innovation and boost productivity to spur growth, opportunity, and progress.

Since joining in 2007, Castro has played a central role in shaping ITIF’s voice on technology and innovation policy. Having previously served as vice president and director of ITIF’s Center for Data Innovation, he is a recognized authority on a wide range of issues at the intersection of technology, innovation, regulation, and society, and was recently named by *Washingtonian* magazine as one of the “500 Most Influential People Shaping Policy.”

“It’s an honor to take the baton from Rob and continue building on the solid foundation we have established for ITIF over the past two decades,” said Castro. “As we look to the future, ITIF’s role in championing innovation globally will be more important than ever. The policy decisions being made right now around AI, clean energy, and emerging technologies will shape economies and societies for generations—and ITIF will remain at the center of those debates.”

ITIF’s board unanimously selected Castro to be the organization’s next president after engaging in a thorough, deliberative process. Castro will be supported by the rest of ITIF’s seasoned leadership team, including Vice President Stephen Ezell, Chief Communications Officer and Managing Editor Randolph Court, and Chief Development Officer Jackie Whisman, as well as ITIF’s established group of policy directors and analysts.

“ITIF is in good hands with Daniel leading it forward as president,” said Atkinson. “He has been instrumental in building ITIF into what it is today—not only through his research and thought leadership, but as a driving force behind our strategy, operations, communications, and global reach. There is no one better positioned to lead this organization into its next chapter.”

Under Castro’s leadership, ITIF will continue to focus on a wide range of issues at the intersection of technological innovation and public policy, including policy frameworks for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, digital policy, U.S. competitiveness in advanced industries, antitrust and competition policy, clean energy, broadband and spectrum policy, life sciences, trade, and global innovation policy.

---
*Source: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)*
*URL: https://itif.org/publications/2026/05/04/castro-succeeds-atkinson-as-president-of-itif/*