DirectorNew America
Autumn McDonald heads New America CA--the largest hub of New America--a civic enterprise focused on issues of economic equity. New America CA is a change accelerator that lifts up local innovation, community voice, and collaborates and convenes to influence policies, and outdated systems and structures. Most recently, New America CA has led multiple human-centered research initiatives geared at lifting the voice and lived experiences of workers and their families, particularly for those vulnerable to the rapidly changing nature of work.
McDonald has two decades of experience working with foundations, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies on strategy, advocacy, and civic innovation. Her work has focused on coalition building and innovative problem solving in service of social, economic, and racial justice.
Before joining New America, McDonald served as a senior advisor to San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee through the FUSE Corps executive fellowship. During her tenure, she led the women's economic empowerment agenda, shaping policies to improve economic opportunities for women and families throughout the Bay Area. Prior to that, McDonald worked with FSG, a social impact-focused consulting firm. Throughout her career, McDonald has led work related to economic mobility, education, place-based initiatives, and distressed communities.
McDonald serves on the boards of Equal Rights Advocates, Lincoln Families, and GO Public Schools. She has a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, a master’s in education policy and management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a master’s in the learning sciences from the Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy. She, her husband, and their three children live in Oakland.