James Slezak

Overview

James Slezak is CEO and Founder at Swayable, a causal data platform that measures the impact of content and messages on public opinion [1][2]. Slezak has held the position of CEO and Founder since May 2017 [3]. Prior to founding Swayable, Slezak worked at The New York Times in several roles, including Director of Strategy from November 2013 to October 2014 [8], Executive Director of Strategy for Digital Product and Technology from November 2014 to January 2016 [7], and Vice President and Chief of Operations for NYT Global from February to November 2016 [6]. Slezak was also Co-Founder and Chairman of Peers.org from February 2013 to January 2015 [9] and Founding Partner and Director at Purpose from March 2010 to October 2013 [10]. Slezak completed a PhD in Physics at Cornell University from 2001 to 2007 [12] and a BSc (Hons I) in Mathematics at the University of Sydney from 1996 to 2000 [13]. Slezak was a Founder in Y Combinator's W18 batch in 2018 [11].

Career history

1. CEO and FounderMay 2017 to presentSwayable
2. ARMember Board of TrusteesFeb 2026 to presentAdvertising Research Foundation (ARF)
3. Council Member, WEF Global Future Council on Information IntegrityMar 2025 to presentWorld Economic Forum
4. Vice President and Chief of Operations, NYT GlobalFeb 2016 to Nov 2016The New York Times
5. Executive Director of Strategy (Digital Product and Technology)Nov 2014 to Jan 2016The New York Times
6. Director of StrategyNov 2013 to Oct 2014The New York Times
7. PCo-Founder, ChairmanFeb 2013 to Jan 2015Peers.org
8. PFounding Partner/DirectorMar 2010 to Oct 2013Purpose

Education

1. Founder, W18 batch2018 - 2018Y Combinator
2. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Physics2001 - 2007Cornell University
3. BSc (Hons I), Mathematics1996 - 2000University of Sydney