Current Executive Director of the Tor Project

The current Executive Director of the Tor Project is Isabela Fernandes (also known professionally as Isabela Bagueros). Serving in this position since 2018, she leads the nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and maintaining the free, open-source Tor software that enables anonymous communication and protects internet users from surveillance and tracking worldwide.

Leadership and Background

Isabela Fernandes stepped into the role of Executive Director after previously serving as the Tor Project’s Project Manager. Before joining Tor, she worked extensively in digital rights, open-source software, and user experience (UX) design, focusing on making privacy and security tools accessible to activists, journalists, and marginalized communities.

Her background emphasizes bridging the gap between complex cryptographic tools and everyday usability. Under her leadership, the organization has placed a strong focus on community engagement, usability improvements in the Tor Browser, and ensuring the network remains resilient against global censorship.

Role and Responsibilities

As Executive Director, Fernandes oversees the strategic, operational, and financial direction of the Tor Project. Her core responsibilities include:

• Strategic Vision: Guiding the development of circumvention tools, network improvements, and user-facing privacy applications.
• Fundraising and Sustainability: Managing relationships with donors, securing grants, and maintaining the financial health of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
• Advocacy and Education: Representing the Tor Project globally to advocate for privacy rights, internet freedom, and the vital role of encryption in civil society.
• Organizational Operations: Supporting the distributed team of core developers, researchers, and community coordinators across the globe.