J. Bob Alotta

J. Bob Alotta is a veteran movement builder and executive working at the intersection of technology and communities.

Prior to joining Mozilla, Bob led the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, a global foundation based in New York City that provides critical resources to LGBTQI+ activists and artists around the world. Over eight years, they quintupled the global footprint of the organization which makes more grants in the global majority than any other funder in their sector. Bob specifically strengthened movements by adding extra support for digital security, data use, and internet freedom to otherwise “non-tech” grants. As chair of the Global Philanthropy Project, Bob helped secure the largest bilateral and multilateral investments to date for LGBTQI+ communities worldwide. Bob was an early architect of the “feminist internet” and the creator of CommsLabs, bringing queer human rights defenders and technologists together. Bob builds bridges between the LGBTQI+ and digital rights worlds.

Now serving as Senior Vice President of Global Programs at Mozilla Foundation, Bob brings their experience as a movement strategist to leverage the organizations’ programs to shift power back to people instead of “big” tech. Through the lens of trustworthy AI, Bob has launched the African Innovation Mradi, the Data Futures Lab, the Mozilla Technology Fund, the Creative Media Awards, and a second phase of the Responsible Computing Challenge, as well as myriad fellowship and grant-making cycles. Bob helps Mozilla fellows and awardees become stronger community organizers and leaders; and grows the diversity and geographical scope across our programs, with an emphasis on expanding our work outside North America. Bob serves as the executive producer for both MozFest and of the award-winning podcast, IRL