Clea Conner is Chief Executive Officer of the Open to Debate Foundation, where she is redefining the public square by creating spaces for fact-based, civil argument at a time when they are most needed. She advocates for a more balanced and inclusive public square, building platforms that foster open dialogue and civic trust.
Over her career, she has produced hundreds of award-winning debates and public policy programs spanning technology, culture, economics, law, and global affairs, convening many of the world’s leading minds to engage the most pressing and provocative questions.
Clea is also a published writer and media commentator, frequently speaking on the importance of open dialogue, free expression, and civil discourse. Her writing and advocacy have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Politico, and the World Economic Forum, where she examines the intersection of media, technology, and public affairs.
She was named one of Crain’s “40 Under 40” for her leadership in media innovation. In 2019, she helped pioneer AI-driven content engagement, producing the first debate between artificial intelligence and a human debater in partnership with IBM.
Clea holds a B.A. from The New School for Social Research in New York City and studied political science at American University in Washington, D.C. She has dedicated her career to creating spaces where people can engage across differences with rigor, respect, and openness — the very qualities that sustain democracy.