Neera Tanden, who previously served as President Joe Biden’s domestic policy advisor, has returned to the Washington, D.C.-based think tank, the Center for American Progress (CAP), as its president and CEO, the organization announced.
A veteran Democratic policy advisor, Tanden had earlier led CAP and its advocacy division, the Center for American Progress Action Fund.
Tanden made history as the first Indian American to head any of the major White House advisory councils while serving as Biden’s domestic policy advisor. In this role, she was responsible for managing the White House Domestic Policy Council and directing policy efforts across economic, social, and governance issues.
Expressing support for her appointment, CAP board chair John Podesta highlighted the importance of the organization at this juncture. “This is a moment where the Center for American Progress is more important than ever. There is a competition of ideas in the country. And this time calls for both a strong critique of the Trump administration’s policies and the development of an alternative agenda to solve the country’s problems,” he stated.
Podesta acknowledged CAP’s influence in shaping major policy initiatives, citing its role in the development of the Affordable Care Act under President Barack Obama and its contributions to climate investment strategies implemented by President Joe Biden. He voiced strong confidence in Tanden’s ability to lead the think tank, referencing her extensive experience in three different White House administrations and her efforts in defending the Affordable Care Act (ACA) from repeal during the Trump presidency.
Tanden expressed enthusiasm about her return to CAP and her opportunity to contribute to policy formation at a pivotal time in American politics. “I’m thrilled to join the Center for American Progress, with its talented leaders across multiple issues, at this critical moment in history,” she stated.
She further emphasized CAP’s commitment to developing a strong agenda in response to the political landscape, saying, “As CAP has done before, it will develop an agenda to build a resilient coalition and take on the Trump administration’s assault on core American values and its harms to Americans from all walks of life.”
Tanden, an Indian American, has held prominent positions in the Biden, Obama, and Clinton administrations. Additionally, she served as a senior adviser during Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns. She holds a law degree from Yale and completed her undergraduate studies at UCLA.
