Eric Sapp is an entrepreneur, faith leader, and political advisor dedicated to advancing the common good through technology, policy, and community engagement. He is the founder and president of Public Democracy, a firm that repurposes advanced digital tools to address social inequality by elevating undervalued communities in both society and the digital marketplace. By using data and AI to better understand and serve people—rather than simply targeting them—Public Democracy seeks to correct economic and social injustices while creating market efficiencies. A nationally recognized leader in the "Data for Good" movement, Eric has pioneered breakthroughs in empathy-based machine learning and meaningful AI, earning him a Nonresident Senior Fellowship at the Atlantic Council. His expertise in combating computational propaganda and developing ethical AI solutions has positioned him at the forefront of efforts to create more inclusive and impactful digital engagement strategies.
Throughout his career, Eric has advised over 50 political campaigns, worked in Congress and the Pentagon, and shaped global policy on arms control, veterans' issues, and data ethics. He co-founded Common Good Strategies in 2005, later transforming it into Eleison Group, which gained national prominence for its faith-based outreach in Democratic campaigns. His work has influenced humanitarian advocacy, international peacekeeping, and counterterrorism, leading to the creation of Public Democracy, a Public Benefit Corporation dedicated to empowering individuals through data equity and AI-driven civic engagement.
Believing that true engagement begins with understanding people’s values and aspirations, Eric has advocated for technology that ensures individuals have a voice in decisions affecting their lives. Through Public Democracy and its nonprofit arm, Public Democracy America, he has worked to create systems where communities—not just corporations or governments—benefit from the value of their data. His mission is to harness AI and digital tools to foster a more equitable society where people are empowered to shape policies and narratives that reflect their lived experiences.
