Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Names New Executive Director, Revati Prasad, PhD

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Board Chairman and Trustee Austin Hirsch announced that longtime Executive Director Adrianne B. Furniss will transition to Benton Senior Fellow and will be succeeded by the Institute’s current Vice President of Programs, Dr. Revati Prasad. Furniss will continue to manage the Institute’s programming in Illinois and advise Dr. Prasad for the rest of 2025. Dr. Prasad will assume leadership of the Benton Institute beginning May 1, 2025. Hirsch said, "The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is certain that this transition places us in a position to continue efforts to ensure that everyone in America has access to and can use the most transformative technology of our age, the internet. The Institute’s trustees and board are completely confident that Dr. Prasad will build on Adrianne’s accomplishments to ensure that robust, affordable broadband and the skills to use it will deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities around the nation." "Revati’s career has been devoted to connecting the unconnected," said Furniss. "I cannot imagine a person better suited to lead the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society in the years ahead. Communications policies and policymakers may change, but Benton’s values—access, equity, and diversity—endure. I know that Dr. Prasad is as committed to those ideals as I am." "Adrianne has been such a generous mentor and champion," said Dr. Prasad. "Working with Benton’s dedicated and knowledgeable staff, as well as with so many of our allies, has been deeply rewarding. I am awed by the faith the board and Adrianne have placed in me to build on Benton's storied legacy in telecommunications and broadband."  After a full career in public service media, Furniss took the reins of the then Benton Foundation after the passing of her father, Charles Benton, in 2015. Furniss refocused Benton’s mission, renaming it the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. She dedicated the organization to closing the digital divide so everyone can participate fully in our increasingly digital society and democracy. Dr. Prasad first joined the organization in April 2022 as the Benton Institute's Director of Research and Fellowships. “I was drawn to the opportunity to contribute to such a critical resource for everyone who cares about broadband policy,” said Dr. Prasad. Benton hired Dr. Prasad to recruit and manage a diverse group of fellows—researchers, advocates, and practitioners—and their projects supported by the Marjorie & Charles Benton Opportunity Fund. In addition, Dr. Prasad led Benton's research efforts and helped develop resources and strategies any state or community can use to bring broadband to everyone.