We are delighted to announce that Al Kags has been appointed as the new chair of Publish What You Fund. Al first joined the board in 2021 and is the founder of the Open Institute. With expertise in open data and citizen engagement, Al will provide great strategic leadership for the next phase of the organisation’s development.

Al said:

“I am very excited to join and lead the Publish What You Fund team that is set on making aid and development data not just available but useful for real-world decision-making. By enhancing how this information is shared and used, we aim to bolster accountability and drive meaningful progress. Together, we’ll turn transparency into tangible benefits for communities worldwide.”

Al Kags is a marketing and communications expert, serial entrepreneur, accomplished writer and poet, passionate futurist and champion of government openness through data. Al is the founder of the Open Institute, an African organisation that works with governments and civil society organisations to promote open government and citizen engagement. He sits on the Technical Advisory Committee of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, and has served as a member of the Global Open Data Working Group and the Global Open Data Initiative and was the co-chair of the Kenya OGP Working Group, chair of the Kenya Open Data Taskforce and the Kenya Open Government Initiative.

Gary Forster, CEO of Publish What You Fund, commented:

“Al’s experience of working at the frontline of community engagement, open data, and government accountability will be invaluable to Publish What You Fund. His passion for people using open data to improve their lives will help us to strategically focus on what really matters. The team and I are excited to work more closely with Al and learn from his expertise and insights over the coming years.”

“We would also like to thank Paul Lenz, who is stepping down as chair after five years in the role. Paul has provided great direction and support – steering us through some eventful times. We’re grateful Paul will remain on the board while we complete our current strategic review.”