Succeeds Adrianne B. Furniss, who led the dynamic and resilient institution for over a decade, advancing the critical mission to extend broadband’s impact

Today, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Board Chairman and Trustee Austin Hirsch announced that longtime Executive Director Adrianne B. Furniss will transition to Benton Senior Fellow and will be succeeded by the Institute’s current Vice President of Programs, Dr. Revati Prasad. Furniss will continue to manage the Institute’s programming in Illinois and advise Dr. Prasad for the rest of 2025. Dr. Prasad will assume leadership of the Benton Institute beginning May 1, 2025.

Hirsch said, "The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is certain that this transition places us in a position to continue efforts to ensure that everyone in America has access to and can use the most transformative technology of our age, the internet. The Institute’s trustees and board are completely confident that Dr. Prasad will build on Adrianne’s accomplishments to ensure that robust, affordable broadband and the skills to use it will deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities around the nation."

"Revati’s career has been devoted to connecting the unconnected," said Furniss. "I cannot imagine a person better suited to lead the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society in the years ahead. Communications policies and policymakers may change, but Benton’s values—access, equity, and diversity—endure. I know that Dr. Prasad is as committed to those ideals as I am."

"Adrianne has been such a generous mentor and champion," said Dr. Prasad. "Working with Benton’s dedicated and knowledgeable staff, as well as with so many of our allies, has been deeply rewarding. I am awed by the faith the board and Adrianne have placed in me to build on Benton's storied legacy in telecommunications and broadband." 

After a full career in public service media, Furniss took the reins of the then Benton Foundation after the passing of her father, Charles Benton, in 2015. Furniss refocused Benton’s mission, renaming it the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. She dedicated the organization to closing the digital divide so everyone can participate fully in our increasingly digital society and democracy.

Dr. Prasad first joined the organization in April 2022 as the Benton Institute's Director of Research and Fellowships. “I was drawn to the opportunity to contribute to such a critical resource for everyone who cares about broadband policy,” said Dr. Prasad. Benton hired Dr. Prasad to recruit and manage a diverse group of fellows—researchers, advocates, and practitioners—and their projects supported by the Marjorie & Charles Benton Opportunity Fund. In addition, Dr. Prasad led Benton's research efforts and helped develop resources and strategies any state or community can use to bring broadband to everyone.

In August 2023, Dr. Prasad assumed the role of Vice President of Programs. Working closely with Furniss, Dr. Prasad helped define and implement Benton’s strategic vision; led the Institute’s contributions to evidence-based policy solutions to advance universal equitable broadband access, adoption, and application; and took over the day-to-day management of Benton's programmatic work. Dr. Prasad has led the Human Infrastructure of Broadband and Visions of Digital Equity projects, and co-written Measuring Measurable Objectives: How States Will Track Digital Equity Progress and Neighborly Networks: Vermont’s Approach to Community Broadband.

“Today’s announcement is a truly exciting moment for everyone who cares about advancing a bold and bright broadband future that expands opportunities for every American,” said Jim Kohlenberger, a former White House technology advisor and Benton Institute board member.  “Revati is not only one of the smartest leaders I’ve had a chance to work with, but she has this innate ability to see over the horizon, identify pragmatic policy solutions, and catalyze action in ways that help lift people up.  At this pivotal moment, when broadband has emerged as such an essential enabler for almost every aspect of our lives, I look forward to the kind of visionary and impactful leadership that Revati brings to help elevate this future.” 

“This moment is only possible because of the incredibly amazing Adrianne Furniss and the profound work she did to elevate and advance Benton’s mission,” Kohlenberger continued.  “Like the ubiquitous affordable broadband that Adrianne has tirelessly championed, she has helped connect, empower, and inform debates that have impacted Americans in important and powerful ways.  In doing so, Adrianne has built a dynamic and resilient institution advancing a critical mission to extend broadband’s impact that Revati is now able to build upon.  While Benton’s mission isn’t changing, the issues it focusses on have become even more important, and their impacts more profound.  It’s powerful to see the way the institute is embracing the importance of this mission and rising to the occasion, as it prepares to meet the new opportunities and challenges just over the horizon.” 

"Revati Prasad is a visionary digital equity professional capable of unifying stakeholders—advocates, practitioners, academics and community leaders—under Benton's mission,” said Denise Linn Riedl, chief innovation officer at the City of South Bend and Benton Institute board member. “She will build on the great foundation of leaders before her and take Benton to new heights. I look forward to collaborating with her!"

"Adrianne has taken the Benton Institute to the next level—as an indispensable source of research and information to policymakers, advocates, and academics. I will miss our everyday interactions, but I’m delighted that she will remain an active advisor to the organization,” said Gigi Sohn, Benton Senior Fellow and Public Advocate. “In Revati Prasad, the Benton Institute is getting a brilliant and passionate advocate for ensuring that every US resident receives the benefit of everything that broadband enables. Her research on the digital divide and the human infrastructure of broadband has been enormously impactful and I am confident that she will be just as, if not more so, in her new role as Executive Director."

Dr. Christopher Ali, Pioneers Chair in Telecommunications at Penn State University, congratulated Dr. Prasad as “an incredible leader, researcher, and a fierce advocate for broadband and digital equity in our country. I can think of no better person to follow in the amazing footsteps of Adrianne Furniss, who shaped the Benton Institute into one of the most impactful and relevant broadband research and advocacy organizations in the country. Revati is a great choice to lead the Benton Institute as it continues its mission to ensure meaningful, equitable connectivity in the United States. Bravo, Benton!”

“Dr. Revati Prasad has energized the programmatic and strategic vision of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society during the past three years. An innovative researcher with strong connections to practitioners, she is an excellent choice to direct Benton’s research, community engagement, and advocacy for universal, affordable broadband, and digital inclusion,” said Johannes Bauer, Quello Chair for Media and Information Policy, Michigan State University.

“Dr. Prasad was an immediate asset and fit at Benton—joining a talented, collaborative, and savvy team—and has made a real mark with her research activities in a short time,” said Larra Clark, Deputy Director, American Library Association Public Policy & Advocacy office. “It was a pleasure working with her on the ambitious Human Infrastructure of Broadband project, and I can’t wait to see what she and Benton will do next.”

"Revati is a powerhouse in the digital inclusion community—a smart, fierce, and passionate leader who commands deep respect. I am thrilled that she has been chosen to carry forward Adrianne Furniss’s remarkable legacy as the new Executive Director of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. Revati's leadership and exceptional research expertise will be invaluable at this pivotal moment for the broadband and digital inclusion sectors," said Norma Fernandez, CEO of Everyone On.

“Our goal, of ensuring everyone can use and benefit from internet access, has never been more urgent or essential. As our world gets increasingly digital, we need to recognize and address the individual and social costs of digital exclusion, while making sure we can all navigate this digital world and still protect ourselves from harm,” said Dr. Prasad. “Benton has an essential role to play in this work, researching, informing, partnering, and advocating to realize our goal of universal, meaningful connectivity.  I plan on continuing to help policymakers, advocates, communities, and practitioners better understand how people gain access to and expertise in using the critical communication and information tool of modern society.”

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About the Benton Institute: Benton is a 44-year-old nonprofit working to make sure everyone in the United States can use and benefit from high-quality, affordable broadband. We strengthen local, state, and national leadership by providing the timely information and analysis, practical guidance, and advocacy needed to articulate and implement a broadband-for-all agenda.

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