Cory Lancaster

AI Innovation, Global Product Public Policy Lead @ TikTok

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

About

Policy Innovator, Product Manager, and Software Engineer. Passionate about providing industry leading strategic policy analysis across complex problem areas, translating policy into 0-1 product development, developing and leveraging strategic partnerships, as well as establishing efficient systems for operational agility. Expert at identifying product policy gaps and implementing solutions quickly to promote product market adoption and prevent regulatory risk. Ten years of regulatory public policy analysis, technology policy analysis, product advising, and product strategy development experience. Three years of mid-sized team building and people management experience.

Experience

  • TikTok (Full-time · 2 yrs 7 mos)
    • AI Products, Messaging, and Creation Tools, Global Product Public Policy Lead
      Feb 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    • TikTok Core Product, Global Product Development Public Policy Lead
      Jan 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 7 mos

  • Sr. Product Policy + Strategy Manager, Global at Instagram
    Jul 2019 - Jan 2024 · 4 yrs 7 mos

    Product and Policy SME: Elections Integrity, Misinformation, Discovery Engine Safety, Algorithm Fairness, Equitable Outcomes in User Experiences, Content Ranking, Recommendations, Transparency, User Controls, Teen Safety & Mental Wellness Portfolio Management (~1500+ Products & Features): Develop multi-year policy strategy briefings to proactively prepare for regulatory compliance, synthesize business intelligence to create custom analyses for competitive policy wins, drive cross-functional policy, company priority, and Family of App alignment on product integrity mitigations throughout the product development lifecycle, lead/maintain policy development for operational policies and integrity infrastructure before and after product launch, manage cross-functional reactive escalations support post-launch, and provide 24/7 crisis response as needed. Created frameworks and training to ensure enterprise-wide systems effiency and business continuity leading to shorter product review timelines and faster go-to-market product launches. Created, grew, and led an employee resource group for Black women offering community, career development, and cross-functional product/outreach ideation.

  • Chief Technology Officer at Street Entrepreneurs
    Jun 2018 - Jul 2019 · 1 yr 2 mos

    Street Entrepreneurs is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that supports new entrepreneurs with business development by creating access to knowledge, connections, and capital. Street Entrepreneurs envisions a grit-based economy where people with talent, drive, and hustle have access to the resources needed to sustainably solve the problems impacting their lives, their communities, and our world.

  • Technology + Internet Policy Journalist at Freelance
    Aug 2017 - Jul 2019 · 2 yrs

    I studied civil rights abuses in digital spaces, the social impact applications and change agents that were closing gaps for marginalized communities, and the public policy initiatives that supported this work. My portfolio includes photography, film, radio, and digital journalism. (www.corylancaster.media)

  • 82 Tabs (Washington D.C. Metro Area)
    • Full Stack Web Developer
      Jan 2018 - Dec 2018 · 1 yr

    • Founder + Chief Executive Officer
      Jan 2018 - Dec 2018 · 1 yr

      Founded and operated a small consulting agency that used constructive multimedia journalism to raise awareness for political and social events. We put action behind our passion in the form of partnerships with media publications, advocacy organizations, community initiatives, as well as managing small business development, communications, and web/mobile application development for nonprofits, organizers, and activists.