Josh Wright is a recognized leader in applied behavioral science. As the Executive Director of ideas42, Josh has overseen a decade of organizational transformation, with ideas42 now the preeminent destination for social-impact focused applied behavioral science. Under Josh’s leadership, ideas42 has expanded the number of effective pathways for scaling applied behavioral science with the launch of new organizational projects including the ideas42 Venture Studio, Policy Lab, and Academy. He has also overseen the diversification of ideas42’s capabilities by adding machine learning and data science to the organization’s skillset and positioned ideas42 at the center of a growing behavioral science community in partnership with others in the field to create and launch the Behavioral Scientist, the leading magazine dedicated to reporting the latest developments from behavioral science.Josh regularly advises governments, non-profits, foundations, and private companies on applied behavioral science, and helped establish and staff the federal Social and Behavioral Science Team during the Obama Administration. Throughout his career, Josh has been committed to addressing complex problems, particularly seeking to reduce poverty and inequality, improve education opportunities for all, and create financial services that work for lower-income people. Before starting his tenure at ideas42, Josh led the Office of Financial Education and Access at the United States Treasury Department. He has held previous leadership positions at the Center for Community Change, Bertelsmann’s Random House, Inc., and Booz Allen and Hamilton’s Commercial Strategy Consulting Business. He also has experience as an elected official, having served on the Takoma Park City Council for four years.Josh holds a B.A. in Economics from Wesleyan University and an MBA from the Yale School of Management (SOM). He has served on the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Behavior and has been a visiting lecturer at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. Josh was named a Yale SOM Donaldson Fellow, awarded to SOM alumni whose personal and professional accomplishments embody the school’s mission to educate leaders for business and society. Donaldson Fellows come from all sectors and across the globe, sharing a dedication to solving complex problems and pursuing positive change in the world.
