Executive Webinar Series — December 11, 2025
On Thursday, December 11th, Legatus members gathered for our monthly executive webinar. We were blessed to welcome Most...
From Code to the Common Good: Will Long’s Mission-Driven Approach to Technology and Leadership
When Will Long graduated from Harvard with a rare joint degree in computer science and political philosophy, he didn’t have a startup pitch in hand—or a master plan to become one of Forbes' 30 Under 30.
What he did have was a question: Why is political technology lagging so far behind?
"I realized there was a 20-year gap in the innovation being used across campaigns," he said. "The other side had the tools. But there was nothing equivalent for people who shared my values."
That realization sparked something deeper than ambition. It was a moment of vocational clarity—the kind that doesn’t shout but tugs.
Shortly after graduation, Will moved to Washington, D.C., and founded Numinar, a data analytics and voter outreach startup focused on equipping value-driven campaigns with the tools to win. He started small. One campaign became 17. Then 215. Then 1,400.
Today, Will leads a team building the future of campaigning—and doing it in a way that reflects his Catholic faith.
That unexpected fusion would prove prophetic. The same intersection—between theory and technology, tradition and innovation—now shapes his leadership at Numinar.
What began as a leap of faith became a mission: to bring ethical, data-informed tools to campaigns that reflect human dignity and the common good. But it wasn’t just a business problem Will was solving—it was a cultural one.
"Silicon Valley skews heavily in one direction," he said. "There was a real need for something new."
"One of the gifts of being Catholic is that you know the outcome isn’t ultimately in your hands," he said. "You're called to do your best—and then entrust the rest to God."
That trust has shaped not just how Will leads, but how he lives. While many in the startup world glamorize long hours and hustle culture, Will has learned the value of limits. A mentor once told him: You can do excellent work in 40 hours a week and still be home for dinner.
"That stuck with me," he said. "It's possible to build something meaningful without sacrificing everything else."
From organizing a Catholic men's household in Georgetown to launching the Cicero Society, a monthly debate group steeped in faith and reason, Will has been instrumental in creating spaces where young Catholics can thrive intellectually, spiritually, and socially.
"We’d host debates in our living room, with 60 or 70 people showing up," he said. "We'd throw huge dinners for the March for Life or Fourth of July. It was about building real Catholic culture."
Now married and a new father, Will continues to invest in community—just in a new season of life. He meets regularly with other Catholic men for fellowship, prayer, and mutual support.
"There are so many vibrant young Catholics in this city," he said. "It’s one of the reasons I moved here."
"There aren't many places where Catholic business leaders can come together, share faith, and support one another’s mission," he said. "That’s what drew me in."
He attended his first chapter event this year and walked away encouraged—not just by the community, but by its potential.
"There's a whole generation of young Catholics starting businesses, apostolates, cultural projects," he said. "Many of us wouldn’t be able to do it without the mentorship and generosity of those who’ve gone before us."
For Will, Legatus is more than a professional network. It’s a bridge—between generations, vocations, and visions for renewal.
His story is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t always loud—and that sometimes, the most innovative thing you can do is stay rooted in the truth.
"There are a lot of voices telling us what success looks like," he said. "But the only one worth listening to is God’s."
What he did have was a question: Why is political technology lagging so far behind?
"I realized there was a 20-year gap in the innovation being used across campaigns," he said. "The other side had the tools. But there was nothing equivalent for people who shared my values."
That realization sparked something deeper than ambition. It was a moment of vocational clarity—the kind that doesn’t shout but tugs.
Shortly after graduation, Will moved to Washington, D.C., and founded Numinar, a data analytics and voter outreach startup focused on equipping value-driven campaigns with the tools to win. He started small. One campaign became 17. Then 215. Then 1,400.
Today, Will leads a team building the future of campaigning—and doing it in a way that reflects his Catholic faith.
From Political Philosophy to Political Tech
At first glance, Will's academic background might seem like a paradox. "Most people wouldn’t think political philosophy and computer science go together," he said. "But when I was asked to write a thesis that combined both disciplines, I ended up writing about Thomas Hobbes and reinforcement learning."That unexpected fusion would prove prophetic. The same intersection—between theory and technology, tradition and innovation—now shapes his leadership at Numinar.
What began as a leap of faith became a mission: to bring ethical, data-informed tools to campaigns that reflect human dignity and the common good. But it wasn’t just a business problem Will was solving—it was a cultural one.
"Silicon Valley skews heavily in one direction," he said. "There was a real need for something new."
Surrender in the Startup World
Startups are notoriously stressful. There are fires to put out, pivots to make, and sleepless nights full of uncertainty. For Will, faith has been his anchor."One of the gifts of being Catholic is that you know the outcome isn’t ultimately in your hands," he said. "You're called to do your best—and then entrust the rest to God."
That trust has shaped not just how Will leads, but how he lives. While many in the startup world glamorize long hours and hustle culture, Will has learned the value of limits. A mentor once told him: You can do excellent work in 40 hours a week and still be home for dinner.
"That stuck with me," he said. "It's possible to build something meaningful without sacrificing everything else."
A Life Rooted in Community
Will didn’t just find his mission in D.C.—he helped build a movement.From organizing a Catholic men's household in Georgetown to launching the Cicero Society, a monthly debate group steeped in faith and reason, Will has been instrumental in creating spaces where young Catholics can thrive intellectually, spiritually, and socially.
"We’d host debates in our living room, with 60 or 70 people showing up," he said. "We'd throw huge dinners for the March for Life or Fourth of July. It was about building real Catholic culture."
Now married and a new father, Will continues to invest in community—just in a new season of life. He meets regularly with other Catholic men for fellowship, prayer, and mutual support.
"There are so many vibrant young Catholics in this city," he said. "It’s one of the reasons I moved here."
Finding Legatus—and a Bridge Between Generations
Will was introduced to Legatus by a Catholic investor who had supported his work. At first, he wasn’t sure it was a fit. But once he looked closer, he saw something unique."There aren't many places where Catholic business leaders can come together, share faith, and support one another’s mission," he said. "That’s what drew me in."
He attended his first chapter event this year and walked away encouraged—not just by the community, but by its potential.
"There's a whole generation of young Catholics starting businesses, apostolates, cultural projects," he said. "Many of us wouldn’t be able to do it without the mentorship and generosity of those who’ve gone before us."
For Will, Legatus is more than a professional network. It’s a bridge—between generations, vocations, and visions for renewal.
Leading with Eternal Purpose
Will Long didn't set out to become a tech founder. But the Lord had a different script. Today, his work is less about titles and more about transformation—not just in campaigns, but in culture.His story is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t always loud—and that sometimes, the most innovative thing you can do is stay rooted in the truth.
"There are a lot of voices telling us what success looks like," he said. "But the only one worth listening to is God’s."
