Andrew Yang

Andrew Yang is an entrepreneur, attorney, author, and political activist known for his work in technology, economic policy, and political reform. Yang graduated from Brown University with a focus on economics and political science, then earned a J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he served as an editor of the Law Review. After beginning his career as a corporate lawyer, he transitioned to the startup sector, eventually serving as CEO and president of Manhattan GMAT, a test preparation company later acquired by Kaplan and The Washington Post. His experience in startups and early-stage companies provided insight into the evolving American economy and workforce.

Yang founded Venture for America, a nonprofit fellowship program that places college graduates in startups and early-stage companies in economically challenged cities, aiming to drive job growth and foster entrepreneurship. The Obama White House recognized Yang as a Champion of Change and a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship. Fast Company included him among its 100 Most Creative People in Business. Yang authored the book "Smart People Should Build Things," advocating for channeling talent into entrepreneurship rather than traditional sectors like finance and law.

Yang gained national attention as a Democratic presidential candidate, running on a platform that highlighted Universal Basic Income, automation, and economic disruption. His proposal for a "Freedom Dividend"—a monthly payment for every American adult—was detailed in his New York Times bestselling book "The War on Normal People." Yang's campaign, under the slogan "Make America Think Harder" (MATH), raised significant grassroots support and brought technology and economic innovation to the forefront of the national conversation.

After his presidential campaign, Yang ran for Mayor of New York City and later founded the Forward Party, a centrist political organization focused on reducing partisan polarization and promoting electoral reforms such as ranked-choice voting. The party, co-founded with former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, was introduced in Yang's book "Forward: Notes on the Future of Our Democracy," which discusses structural reforms to strengthen American democracy. Yang continues to serve as co-chair of the Forward Party, advocating for political innovation and electoral reform in the United States.