Craig Newmark

Craig Newmark is the founder of "Craigslist," a non-commercial centralized network for worldwide urban and regional communities featuring classified advertisements with discussion boards. Newmark's vision has transformed Craigslist into a significant online hub that assists users in meeting various needs, such as housing and jobs, fostering a culture of trust within the community it serves.

Newmark speaks on a range of topics including the future of online community and commerce, creativity, customer relations management, customer service, and e-commerce, leveraging his extensive background as one of the internet's most successful innovators and practitioners. He is noted for his practical insights derived from around thirty years of experience in software engineering, including significant tenures at companies such as IBM and Charles Schwab & Co. Newmark holds a master's degree in computer science.

Started in 1995 in Newmark's bedroom as a simple email exchange service, Craigslist now garners around 10 billion page views per month, with approximately 35 million unique visitors, and serves more than 550 cities in 55 countries. Despite its vast reach and success, Craigslist maintains a humble and community-focused ethos, underpinned by its motto "Give people a break"—a reflection of Newmark's commitment to easing the complexities of everyday life for many. As chairman of Craigslist, he continues to work full-time as a customer service representative, addressing issues such as spam and scams.

Craigslist's impact extends beyond its online presence; it actively supports small non-profit organizations and promotes social responsibility. This philosophy of trust and community service is also evident in Newmark's philanthropic efforts. Through Craig Newmark Philanthropies, he has donated significant amounts towards enhancing journalism, supporting military families, boosting voter registration efforts, and advancing women in technology. His contributions include a $20 million endowment to the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, now renamed the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, reflecting his commitment to ensuring the future of quality journalism and democratic engagement. In 2018 alone, Newmark's donations totaled $143 million.

Newmark's influence has been recognized by several prestigious accolades. Time Magazine named him "The Wizard of the Local" and included him in the 2005 Time 100 list. He was also named Person of the Year at the 9th Annual Webby Awards and was listed as one of the 25 Most Influential People on the Web by BusinessWeek in 2008. These honors underscore his pivotal role in shaping how the internet facilitates community building and commerce.