Raina Kumra
Founder, investor, tech ethicist, and advocate for human-centered technology
Santa Monica, CA
Summary
Raina Kumra is a serial entrepreneur and investor with a focus on impact and innovation across diverse sectors including food, technology, and media. She is the founder and CEO of Spicewell, a functional foods company creating nutrient-dense pantry essentials, and a Partner at The Fund, an early-stage venture fund. Her entrepreneurial spirit is also evident in her co-founding of Mavin, a mobile startup focused on affordable internet access, and her leadership at Juggernaut LLC, a digital and organizational transformation bureau. spicewell+4
She is a prominent advocate for technology ethics, having created the widely adopted EthicalOS framework, which is used in universities globally and has garnered over 750,000 downloads. She further disseminates her expertise through a LinkedIn Learning course on technology ethics and has been instrumental in fostering cultural movements around ethical tech during her tenure at Omidyar Network. datasociety+2
Raina Kumra has a robust background in public service and policy, including her role as Technology Strategy Lead for the USAGM Agency Review Team during the Biden-Harris Transition Team and her service at the U.S. Department of State as Senior New Media Advisor. She also served as Co-Director of Innovation at the Broadcasting Board of Governors under the Obama Administration, demonstrating her commitment to governmental innovation and media strategy. datasociety+3
With over two decades of experience in digital advertising and strategy, Raina Kumra has transformed major agencies like Wieden+Kennedy New York into full-service digital powerhouses. Her creative and strategic leadership has benefited global brands such as Nike, Levi's, Burberry, Johnnie Walker, and Nokia, showcasing her prowess in brand development and marketing innovation. datasociety+2
Her intellectual curiosity spans diverse academic fields, evidenced by degrees from Boston University (Film Production), NYU (Interactive Telecommunications), and Harvard University Graduate School of Design (Digital Applications in Urban Planning and Architecture). More recently, she pursued a Certificate in Medicinal Plants from Cornell University, reflecting her interest in holistic health and plant-based solutions, which informs her work at Spicewell. datasociety+3