TechEquity restructures to advance people-first AI in California
(Oakland, California) – As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms the technology industry, TechEquity is expanding and restructuring its leadership team to strengthen advocacy for common-sense tech and AI guardrails across California.
TechEquity remains dedicated to raising public consciousness about economic equity issues stemming from the tech industry’s products and practices, and advocating for policies that ensure technology’s evolution benefits everyone.
Samantha Gordon, previously TechEquity’s Chief Program Officer, will now serve as the organization’s Chief Advocacy Officer. As technology—especially AI—rapidly reshapes work, housing, and daily life, TechEquity is strengthening its ability to mobilize coalitions and drive policy change at scale. Under her leadership as Chief Program Officer, TechEquity developed its People-First AI Agenda and expanded its advocacy work across labor rights and technology policy. In her new role, Samantha will build on and expand the organization’s advocacy strategy and efforts to ensure AI works for people—not against them.
“After working at TechEquity for five years, I’m eager to focus on helping Californians understand the real-world implications of AI policy decisions,” said Gordon. “California’s efforts set the tone nationally. We must continue pushing our representatives to ensure AI doesn’t harm the communities it claims to benefit—and that the people most affected by these technologies have a real voice in governing them.”
Veteran Democracy and Tech Accountability Leader Joins as Chief Program Officer
Jonathan Mehta Stein joins TechEquity as Chief Program Officer, bringing decades of experience at the intersection of technology, democracy, and civil rights. In this role, he will oversee the organization’s Labor, AI, and Data & Tech Programs, shaping strategy across TechEquity’s programmatic work.
Stein comes to TechEquity from California Common Cause, where, as Executive Director, he led efforts to expand voting rights, counter big money in politics, and address emerging threats to democracy. He also founded the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy (CITED), which advocates for solutions to the threats AI and social media pose to elections and democratic institutions.
His career includes significant civil rights advocacy as head of the Voting Rights & Census Program at Asian Law Caucus and as a voting rights staff attorney for the ACLU of California. Stein also served as Chair of the Oakland Public Ethics Commission and as Student Regent on the University of California’s Board of Regents, where he represented the interests of 230,000 UC students.
“After years working at the intersection of democracy and technology, I’ve seen how tech’s rapid evolution can either uplift communities or deepen inequities,” said Stein. “TechEquity’s commitment to connecting research, advocacy, and accountability is essential right now. I’m excited to lead our Programs team in partnership with workers, community organizers, researchers, and advocates to ensure technology serves the public good and builds widespread economic prosperity.”
“This organization was founded in 2016 to ensure the tech industry’s growth benefits everyone,” said Catherine Bracy, CEO and Founder of TechEquity. “Nearly a decade later, tech is evolving faster than our legislative system can respond. Samantha’s stepping into the Chief Advocacy Officer role recognizes her exceptional leadership and deepens our capacity to influence policy at this critical juncture. Meanwhile, Jonathan’s unique combination of democracy reform expertise and deep understanding of technology’s threats to our institutions makes him the ideal leader to guide our programmatic work. Together, Samantha and Jonathan deepen our leadership team and strengthen our ability to push for AI standards that protect workers and communities.”
About TechEquity
TechEquity raises public consciousness about economic equity issues that result from the tech industry’s products and practices, and advocates for change that ensures tech’s evolution benefits everyone. The organization conducts original research grounded in the stories of the people impacted by inequitable systems, develops policy and industry recommendations, and focuses on the implementation of policies and industry standards to ensure meaningful impact for generations to come. Learn more at techequity.us.