The result of a carefully planned succession, Jawando joined Omidyar Network in 2021 as Senior Vice President of Programs, was elevated to President in 2025, and now steps into the CEO role carrying a rare synthesis of technology industry leadership, legal authority, public policy experience, and coalition-building power. A lawyer by training, she has dedicated her career to advancing justice, democracy, and the responsible development of technology. As a central architect of the organization’s current strategy, she has developed the programs, partnerships, and policies that define Omidyar Network’s leadership in driving systemic, inclusive change.

I have always thought of myself as a builder — of organizations, coalitions, and bridges across communities and perspectives,” said Jawando. “And I am genuinely excited about what we get to build next. AI is already reshaping how we work, how we communicate, and how we engage with the world, and the decisions being made right now will shape the next 100 years. What gives me real hope is that we are not starting from scratch at Omidyar Network — we have spent years building alongside an extraordinary ecosystem of partners who share a common conviction that this technology must work for everyone. I couldn’t be more honored and energized to lead this effort for Omidyar Network.”

Jawando’s career spans some of the most consequential institutions in public life. She has worked on Capitol Hill alongside Rep. Gregory Meeks and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, served as a senior executive at Google, and led strategic initiatives at the Center for American Progress. That breadth of experience — across government, the tech sector, and civil society — has shaped her understanding of how technology policy, democratic institutions, and community power intersect.

A gifted architect of change, Michele has spent her career bringing together organizations, ideas, and coalitions, to unite diverse communities and perspectives,” said outgoing CEO Mike Kubzansky. “That orientation, and the depth of experience across sectors behind it, is exactly what today’s digital landscape demands. I’m proud of what we’ve built together, and I have supreme confidence in Michele’s vision to lead the organization on the high-stakes path ahead.”

Kubzansky joined Omidyar Network in 2013 and has served as CEO since 2018. Under his leadership, the organization unified around a singular mission and vision to build a more inclusive and equitable digital future and established the strategic pillars of shared agency and societal governance that continue to guide its work. Kubzansky is moving on to build and lead a new entity that will shape AI investment for the public good and he will announce his next endeavor in the coming months.

Omidyar Network enters its next chapter with momentum and focus,” said Pat Christen, Omidyar Network Board Chair. “With Mike Kubzansky’s consequential leadership, ON has sharpened grantmaking priorities, deepened strategic partnerships, and established a creative federation of institutions primed to keep our shared humanity at the center of the digital revolution. We are deeply grateful to and inspired by Mike for the foundation he built and the care with which he shepherded this transition. Michele’s appointment has been intentionally designed as a key next step in this journey — well-considered, well-earned, and welcome! Michele is exactly the right leader for our next chapter. We are thrilled she will be stepping into this role.”

About Omidyar Network

Omidyar Network is a philanthropic organization whose mission is to bend the arc of the digital revolution toward shared power, prosperity, and possibility. Digital technology is a powerful and ubiquitous force that, harnessed wisely, makes wondrous things happen. We believe in working together to guide tech’s trajectory intentionally. Our vision is for our shared humanity to steer our digital future. So far, we have committed more than $1.9 billion to initiatives that share our vision. We engage, partner, and fund some of the world’s brightest thinkers and innovators to guide our digital future toward the greatest good for the greatest number of people.