Matt Leighninger is the Director of Public Engagement at Public Agenda, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that helps diverse leaders and citizens navigate divisive, complex issues and work together to find solutions, and co-author of Public Participation for 21st Century Democracy. Prior to joining Public Agenda in August 2015, Matt was the Executive Director of the Deliberative Democracy Consortium (DDC), an alliance of the major organizations and leading scholars working in the field of democracy and citizenship. Over the last twenty years, Matt has worked with public engagement efforts in over 100 communities in 40 states. His previous book, The Next Form of Democracy, traces the shifts in the relationship between citizens and government, and examines how these trends are reshaping our democracy. Two additional publications, Planning for Stronger Local Democracy (National League of Cities, 2011) and Using Online Tools to Engage – and be Engaged by – the Public (IBM Center for the Business of Government, 2011) provide practical suggestions for aspiring democracy-builders.

Matt Leighninger

Director of Public Engagement, Public Agenda

Facebook: Public Agenda

Twitter: @mattleighninger


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