WASHINGTON, D.C., March 26, 2025 – NextGen Competition is pleased to announce the appointment of Sumit Sharma as its new Executive Director. Sharma succeeds George Rakis, who will remain on the Board of Directors and serve as Executive Director Emeritus.

Sharma is a seasoned economist and policy expert with extensive experience in competition policy, regulatory affairs, and consumer advocacy. He has advised companies, regulators, and governments on antitrust, policy design, and market strategy, served as an in-house economist for a mobile operator, and led competition and antitrust advocacy efforts at Consumer Reports. His work has included expert witness proceedings and involvement in high-profile regulatory cases.

“It’s an honor to lead NextGen Competition at such a pivotal moment,” said Sharma. “Ensuring fair and competitive technology marketplaces is more important than ever. I’m committed to advocating for policies that serve consumers, workers, and all businesses. I look forward to working with our allies to advance pro-competitive policy changes to ensure the gains from technological innovations are shared by everyone.”

After serving as Executive Director for two years, George Rakis is stepping down but will continue his involvement as Executive Director Emeritus and a member of the Board of Directors.

“It has been an honor to work alongside so many dedicated advocates in the fight against monopoly power,” said Rakis. “I’m deeply grateful for the collaboration, insights, and shared victories we’ve achieved together. While I’m stepping down as Executive Director, I remain committed to this movement and look forward to supporting NextGen’s efforts in new ways. Our work is far from over.”

About NextGen Competition

NextGen Competition is on a mission to create a fair and competitive technology ecosystem that empowers consumers, workers, and small businesses by supporting robust enforcement of our antitrust laws and policies. Our approach enables many independent technology companies to innovate, and compete, and to offer differentiated services. It also rectifies the profound imbalance of power that allows the largest technology firms to unilaterally set terms and conditions for everyone, and use our data, and capture our attention without meaningful constraints. Additional information is available at nextgencomp.tech.

Background:

• Before joining Consumer Reports, Sharma held various economist roles—both as an external expert and an in-house economist—specializing in competition issues within the technology, telecom, and media sectors. His expertise spans regulatory, financial, and policy challenges in the evolving digital marketplace.
• Sharma began his career as an economist at NERA Economic Consulting. He holds a Master’s in Economics from Universitat Pompeu Fabra and a Master’s in International Commerce from Seoul National University.