Dan Gaylin, CEO of NORC at the University of Chicago, Named Chief Influencer

The Communications Board names Dan Gaylin, President and CEO of NORC at the University of Chicago and author of Fact Forward: The Perils of Bad Information and the Promise of a Data-Savvy Society, a Chief Influencer.

What does it take to lead with credibility in a world saturated with information? In this episode of Chief Influencer, Dan Gaylin joins Anthony Shop to explore how leaders can navigate a rapidly evolving data landscape where every individual is both a consumer and producer of information.

Under Gaylin’s leadership, NORC has expanded globally and strengthened its reputation as one of the nation’s most trusted nonpartisan research institutions. Yet for Gaylin, influence is not about scale. It is about earning trust through rigorous inquiry and responsible use of evidence.

Gaylin shares lessons from decades of guiding decision makers through complex challenges. He emphasizes that influence begins with asking the right questions, selecting data that is truly fit for purpose, and communicating findings with transparency and humility. In an era shaped by artificial intelligence and accelerating information flows, he encourages leaders to develop strong data literacy and resist the temptation to stretch evidence beyond its limits. His message is clear. Sustainable influence grows from integrity, clarity, and a commitment to truth even when the environment makes it difficult.

Host: Anthony Shop
Guest: Dan Gaylin
Producer: The Communications Board
Sponsor: The George Washington University College of Professional Studies

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