Matt Leighninger serves as Vice President of the National League of Cities and directs the Center for Democracy Innovation (CDI), where he advances the League's strategic priorities while leading national efforts to strengthen democratic infrastructure, expand civic engagement, and measure the quality of democracy. Recognized as one of the leading voices in democracy innovation, Matt has spent more than two decades helping communities build more collaborative, participatory forms of governance. As a network-builder, researcher, author, and practitioner, he has worked with more than 100 communities across 40 states and has helped shape the evolution of modern public engagement through organizations including Everyday Democracy, the National League of Cities, the Deliberative Democracy Consortium, Public Agenda, and the National Conference on Citizenship. Matt is the author or co-author of several influential works, including The Next Form of Democracy (2006), Public Participation for 21st Century Democracy (2015), and Rewiring Democracy. His work has advanced innovations ranging from participatory budgeting and civic technology to large-scale engagement initiatives such as Text, Talk, Act and national efforts to improve civic measurement and democratic participation. Throughout his career, Matt has partnered with organizations including the World Bank, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Club de Madrid, Participedia, and the National Civic League to develop practical tools, research, and strategies that strengthen democratic institutions and active citizenship. In 2025, he was named a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration in recognition of his contributions to public service and democratic innovation.