As Interim Chief of Staff for Omidyar Network’s Programs Department, John Joanino serves as a strategic operator and thought partner to the Senior Vice President and Programs Leadership Team. In this capacity, John participates in ongoing organizational development and works to integrate operations, learning, and portfolio management across Omidyar’s three impact themes.

John has a decade of experience working across multiple sectors including state government, nonprofit racial justice advocacy, communications consulting, and tech philanthropy. Prior to Omidyar Network, John led digital communications at Catalyst California, tutored unhoused youth, and served as a commissioner on the California Governor’s statewide committee for the 2020 Census. He began his career managing celebrity crowdfunding campaigns and leading communications for startup challenge grants that have raised and deployed millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations. John has worked for organizations including LA2050, Omaze.com, XQ: The Super School Project, and the Kapor Center. He is an alumnus of the Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA) program, Harvard Innovation Lab, Front Line Leaders Academy, Kapor Capital fellows program, and New Leaders Council.

Born in Los Angeles and raised throughout Southern California, John studied sociology at UCLA before completing a Master’s in Public Policy with an Management, Leadership, and Decision Sciences certificate at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where he focused on youth development and strategic philanthropy.