Danil Mikhailov

Executive Director of DataDotOrg

Danil Mikhailov, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of data.org. With over 20 years of experience setting up multiple start-ups and leading work across a range of diverse sectors, Danil brings a focus on investigating and innovating in the space where technology, culture, and society converge.  

At data.org, Danil heads a talented, international team, and has driven the creation of a unique field-building organization. During his tenure, data.org has launched global data for social impact programs in climate, health, and financial inclusion to build digital public goods, train a new generation of purpose-driven data practitioners, and design sustainable data ecosystems in Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the US. Through a strong commitment to partnerships, Danil has led collaboration with the G7, G20, the UN, and a network of philanthropic, academic, and private sector partners. 

Prior to data.org, Danil was at Wellcome where he founded and directed the Wellcome Data Labs, an interdisciplinary team of data scientists, software developers, and social scientists, creating open-source data tools supporting Wellcome’s mission. While at Wellcome, Danil coordinated the data and data science aspects of the Trust’s Covid-19 pandemic response. Previously, Danil founded and chaired the Digital Strategy Forum for Science, Art, and Culture, in the United Kingdom.  
Danil strongly believes in the power of interdisciplinarity and, in addition to his tech expertise, he brings a social sciences and humanities perspective to his work. Danil holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and Communications from the University of Brunel, an MA in Philosophy, from Birkbeck, University of London, an MA in Chinese Studies, from SOAS, University of London, and a BSc in IT & Business Management, University of York.