Kate Zwaard Named Executive Director of CNI

The Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) has announced Kate Zwaard as its next executive director, effective September 15. She will succeed Clifford Lynch, who served as CNI’s executive director from 1997 until his death in April 2025.

Zwaard will join CNI—an initiative run jointly by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and higher education nonprofit Educause—from the Library of Congress, where she serves as associate librarian for discovery and preservation services. In her current role, Zwaard oversees LoC’s digital initiatives, leading more than 600 staff members in an effort to modernize acquisitions, preservation, and access.

Previously, Zwaard served as LoC’s supervisory information technology specialist for the digital repository development team, chief of national digital initiatives, and director of digital strategy. Prior to LoC, Zwaard led a development team responsible for the digital preservation and authentication data architecture at the US Government Publishing Office.

“I’m thrilled to see a transformative leader like Kate take the helm at CNI,” said Andrew K. Pace, ARL executive director and search committee chair. “She will bring a purposeful, focused, and member-oriented approach to maintaining CNI’s unique position in our field and ensuring its bright future.”