Upturn Welcomes Tina M. Park as Executive Director

April 17, 2026

We are pleased to announce that Tina M. Park has been selected as Upturn’s next Executive Director. Tina brings deep expertise at the intersection of technology, racial, and economic justice — a foundation that makes her exceptionally well-suited to lead Upturn into its next chapter. She begins her tenure on May 11.

Tina M. Park is a Ph.D. sociologist and researcher whose career has been defined by a rigorous commitment to shaping how AI systems and digital technologies affect workers, communities of color, and other marginalized groups.

Tina M. Park

“I’m thrilled to be joining Upturn to continue its critical research and advocacy to advance civil rights and ensure that powerful interests are held accountable for the harm that digital technologies inflict on our communities. We are at an urgent juncture where we’re seeing the devastating consequences of the unchecked uses of technology every single day, from the streets of Minneapolis to Gaza. I’m grateful to Upturn’s Board and staff for this opportunity and look forward to the work ahead,” said Tina M. Park.

Most recently, she has contributed to the Luddite Lab Resource Hub at the Distributed AI Research (DAIR) Institute, served as a strategic consultant to REAL ML, and conducted qualitative research examining the insurance industry’s impact on AI with the Center for Democracy & Technology. Before that, Tina served as the Head of Inclusive Research & Design at the Partnership on AI, where she researched and developed resources for AI practitioners to ethically engage with the public. Her scholarly work focuses on the quantification of human experiences for digital platforms and the relationship of digital technology and racial colonial capitalism.

Tina succeeds Harlan Yu, who co-founded Upturn in 2011 and built it over nearly 15 years into a sharp, principled organization at the forefront of technology and justice. Under Harlan’s leadership, Upturn has produced rigorous research and advocacy on issues ranging from law enforcement surveillance and payday lending, to tenant screening, hiring discrimination, and how Medicaid and other public benefits systems make automated decisions — work that has shaped policy, litigation, and advocacy across the field.

“Tina is exactly the leader Upturn needs at this moment. She brings a clear vision of where Upturn should be heading and her values are rooted in the communities most affected by the material harms of technology. I’m proud of what we have built together over the years, and I couldn’t be more excited to see what Upturn becomes under Tina’s leadership,” said Harlan Yu.

“I join Upturn’s staff and Board of Directors in welcoming Tina as the next Executive Director. Her power analysis, organizing experience, and attention to culture building will be great assets while guiding the organization. I look forward to supporting Tina and Upturn as they enter this new chapter,” said Gabrielle Rejouis, Board Secretary.

“Tina is stepping in at a moment when tech companies are writing the rules around housing, policing and healthcare with no real accountability. Upturn has spent 15 years helping communities fight the harms of these technologies. I’m glad she’ll be carrying the work moving forward,” said Steven Renderos, Board Treasurer.

Tina holds a bachelor’s degree from UCLA, a Master’s in Urban Planning from New York University, and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Brown University. She is based in Oakland, CA, where she also serves on the Northern California regional advisory board for Coro California.

Please join us in welcoming Tina to Upturn!