#United States #New York #Project Liberty #AI Governance #Frank McCourt

Project Liberty Announces Leadership Changes for Digital Empowerment

Project Liberty, initiated by civic entrepreneur Frank McCourt, aims to reshape the internet landscape by ensuring people have ownership over their data. On January 21, 2026, it shared crucial organizational updates and appointments designed to boost its mission of shifting power from dominant tech platforms to individuals. These changes come at a pivotal moment, as agentic AI is expected to become a cornerstone of digital governance.

According to McCourt, the organization was established six years ago with the fundamental belief that reclaiming personal autonomy in the digital age is essential. “The defining challenge of our time,” he stated, calls for urgency and determination in countering the reckless policies often associated with large tech companies. The swift advancements in technology necessitate a responsive and agile organizational structure, allowing Project Liberty to innovate and deliver solutions that will help individuals protect their data in an increasingly complex online environment.

New Leadership Roles and Initiatives

A notable development is the establishment of Project Liberty Labs, which will focus on building technologies aimed at enhancing individual autonomy. Joe Riley has been appointed as CEO of this new entity, succeeding his interim role and continuing as the CFO and COO of McCourt Global, which is the family office that launched Project Liberty in 2019.

In an effort to further expand its capabilities, Braxton Woodham has been designated as President of Project Liberty Labs. Woodham, known for co-creating decentralized infrastructure layers such as Frequency and the Decentralized Social Networking Protocol (DSNP), will oversee product vision and engineering while collaborating with Chief Technology Officer Harry Evans.

Additionally, Tomicah Tillemann will take on the role of President for the Project Liberty Institute (PLI), an independent nonprofit dedicated to academic partnerships and research initiatives that support the organization’s broader goals. Jeb Bell has been promoted to Executive Director of PLI, where he will manage daily operations and foster international policy work centered around open-source initiatives.

Furthermore, Lara Galinsky is now the Executive Director of the Project Liberty Alliance, a global network consisting of over 175 organizations committed to enhancing digital rights and responsibilities. Alongside Tillemann, Galinsky will develop strategies to expand the Alliance’s influence and member participation, thus amplifying social movements around personal data sovereignty and ethical technology usage.

Achievements and Future Directions

Building on its momentum from 2025, which included securing data for over 16 million users and the successful passage of the Digital Choice Act in Utah, Project Liberty's expanded leadership aims at accelerating its growth in coming years. Their focus will be on developing new AI-driven products and deepening policy advocacy regarding technology governance. An emphasis will also be placed on engaging with communities globally, inviting stakeholders to partake in shaping the future of digital governance.

In summary, Project Liberty's leadership updates underscore its commitment to fostering a human-centric digital landscape. By prioritizing data ownership and advocating for individual rights in the face of developing technologies, Project Liberty not only envisions an empowered online experience but actively works towards it. Their restructured leadership and clear mission provide a roadmap for navigating the complexities of the digital age, aiming to ensure that people remain at the center of the digital narrative.

About Project Liberty

Founded in 2019 and launched publicly in 2021, Project Liberty strives to restore personal agency in the digital realm by allowing people greater control over their own data. The initiative operates through three main channels: Project Liberty Labs, the Project Liberty Institute, and the Project Liberty Alliance. Together, these components work on decentralized technologies, foster academic collaborations, and create a global network committed to user-centric digital innovation.