Best Startup
At Best Startup US we track over 1,000,000 US startups and over 3 million people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United States based President operating in the Non Profit space. If you think a President is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.us.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Mark Heynen
Vice President, Business Development of Stellar Development Foundation
Mark has led go to market in emerging markets for large and small companies, from Google’s initial push into maps in the mid 2000s to Facebook’s early mobile efforts and ultimately launching PayJoy, a Silicon Valley-based fintech, in 20 countries. He currently serves as VP of Business Development at the Stellar Development Foundation. His focus has been on analyzing markets, structuring transformational partnerships, hiring highly functional teams in market, and then producing revenue quickly with great unit economics. He has also raised ~$100M in early stage VC, venture debt, and SPV debt financing across four companies he built, and advised companies on fundraising. Prior to moving to Silicon Valley in 2006, Mark split his time between India and London, founding and running his first startup, Electrobug Technologies. As this company had clients in 18 countries and 250+ staff in India through a wholly owned subsidiary, Mark learned firsthand of the challenges and opportunities of working in emerging markets, and is currently an advisor for a number of startups. Mark graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College with a degree in Economics and History.
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About Stellar Development Foundation: Stellar Development Foundation supports the development and growth of Stellar, a blockchain network that connects financial infrastructure.
Mary McDougall
Vice President of Astia Angels
Mary McDougall was CEO at Survox, Inc. until sale to Enghouse (TSX:ENGH) – her fourth exit. Prior roles include COO, IronSpire for 4 years before private sale, GM Decision Dynamics – sold to Perceptron (NASDAQ:PRCP), and VP Pdt Mgt, Mktg, & Support Mitron – sold to GenRad (NYSE:TER). SaaS transformation and M&A identification and integration with BMC Software.
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About Astia Angels: Astia Angels is a global network of both female and male angel investors that invest in high-growth companies.
Manish Kothari
President, SRI of SRI International
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About SRI International, SRI International, SRI Ventures: SRI International is a nonprofit, independent research center serving government and industry.
Stephen Ciesinski
President of SRI International
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About Kalele Partners, SRI International, SRI International, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford Graduate School of Business: SRI International is a nonprofit, independent research center serving government and industry.
William Jeffrey
President and CEO of SRI International
William Jeffrey, Ph.D., is president and chief executive officer of SRI International, a leading research and development organization serving government and industry. Jeffrey joined SRI in 2014. From 2008 to 2014, Jeffrey was president and CEO of HRL Laboratories, a corporate R&D organization owned by The Boeing Company and General Motors. Prior to joining HRL, Jeffrey served in the George W. Bush Administration as director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Jeffrey also served in the Executive Office of the President as senior director for homeland and national security and as assistant director for space and aeronautics within the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Earlier in his career, Jeffrey was deputy director for the Advanced Technology Office and chief scientist for the Tactical Technology Office at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and assistant deputy for technology at the Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office. Jeffrey started his professional career at the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA). Jeffrey is an elected Fellow of the American Physical Society, an elected Honorary Member of the International Society of Automation, a recipient of the 2008 Navigator Award from the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, and a recipient of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service. Jeffrey is a member of the Board of Directors of TE Connectivity Ltd. Jeffrey received his M.A. and Ph.D. in astronomy from Harvard University, and his B.Sc. in physics is from MIT.
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About SRI International: SRI International is a nonprofit, independent research center serving government and industry.
John Prausa
Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, Mission Solutions of SRI International
John Prausa became chief operating officer (COO) of SRI International in 2015, responsible for all activities in support of research and development operations including Contracting and Procurement; Human Resources; Security Operations; and Facilities, Property and Logistics. Prausa is also Vice President of Mission Solutions, which delivers technology and services in support U.S. government deployed systems. The division comprises two programs: Instrumentation and Simulation (I&S) and Intelligence and Information Systems (I2S). The I&S Program provides a full spectrum of support to clients in the military test and training and homeland defense communities, including technology R&D, system prototyping, instrumentation production, training exercise field support, and depot maintenance. I2S supports Army, Joint, and Coalition Operations software for electronic warfare (EW) and target sensing systems (TSS), including infrastructure and personnel for ground and air survivability systems. The program also enhances multi-spectral EW system capabilities through automated development, testing and distribution software tools. Prausa previously led SRI’s Engineering and Systems Group, at the time the largest R&D group at SRI, with staff distributed at fifteen regional offices and numerous operating locations. In that role, he directed 800 staff members conducting R&D, deployment and support of technologies and systems in ionospheric and space research, radar and remote sensing, signal processing and algorithm development, signals and electronic intelligence, test and training systems, wireless communications, robotics and autonomous systems, imaging technology and systems, force protection and situation awareness, and product development. Prausa has a B.A. in mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley, and has done graduate course work in systems analysis at Stanford University.
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About SRI International: SRI International is a nonprofit, independent research center serving government and industry.
William Mark
President, Information and Computing Sciences; Vice President, SRI International of SRI International
William Mark leads SRI International’s Information and Computing Sciences Division, which creates new technology in information security, system design, speech and natural language, vision and perception, planning and reasoning, and formal methods. The group’s leading-edge research is complemented with a strong focus on intellectual property creation and commercialization. Projects include Internet interaction, intrusion detection software, physical and virtual information spaces, and technology for dynamic enterprise management. Prior to joining SRI in 1998, Mark headed the System Technology Group at National Semiconductor. The group focused on system-level design and implementation of the silicon-based systems of the future, including hardware/software co-design, integrated DSP solutions, and reconfigurable computing technology. Mark was formerly director of Information and Computing Sciences for the Lockheed Martin Palo Alto Research Laboratories. Before joining Lockheed, he was a co-founder of Savoir, a company developing software tools for flexible manufacturing. He was a designer of the Flexis product, for which he holds a software patent. Previously, he held positions at the University of Southern California Information Sciences Institute and the General Motors Research Laboratories. Mark has a Ph.D. in computer science from MIT. His personal research interests include system design and smart spaces.
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About SRI International: SRI International is a nonprofit, independent research center serving government and industry.
Luther Lau
Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer of SRI International
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About SRI International: SRI International is a nonprofit, independent research center serving government and industry.
Michael Page
Vice President, Information Technology Services and Chief Information Officer of SRI International
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About SRI International: SRI International is a nonprofit, independent research center serving government and industry.
Michael Strautmanis
Vice President, Civic Engagement of Obama Foundation
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About Lyric Opera of Chicago, Obama Foundation: The Obama Foundation is a start-up for citizenship and an ongoing project for people to shape, together, what it means to be a good citizen.
Bill Warner
Co-Founder & President of Move With Freedom
Bill loves the process of starting and building great companies. In 1987 he started Avid Technology, Inc. They built a great product and a great team, and today Avid is the world leader in video, film, and music editing systems. In 1991 Bill started Wildfire Communications along with co-founders Nick d’Arbleloff, Rich Miner, and Tony Lovell. They built a ground-breaking speech-based electronic assistant that worked over the phone. Wildfire was sold to Orange, PLC in 2000. In 1999 Bill started FutureBoston which built advanced mapping tools that let you understand the story of a place by looking precisely aligned maps over time. This is now the Boston Atlas – a great online resource maintained by the Boston Redevelopment Authority. In 2002 he created a shared workspace called the Collaboration Space at Warner Research, in Cambridge, near Fresh Pond. Bill believes that shared workspaces are one key to creating the energy and relationships for startups. Now called the Brickyard Collaboration Space, it is run by the owner of the building. Starting in 2004, and continuing to today, he began work on a book about “How to Build Your Startup From the Heart.” This book is based on my experiences and on what he has learned from angel investing over the years. In 2008, Bill worked with Tom Hopcroft and Heather Johnson at MassTLC, they created a new type of conference focused on helping early stage entrepreneurs. Called the MassTLC Innovation unConference, the most recent event sponsored 160 entrepreneurs and gathered over 600 people to help them. Bill’s focus now is on helping entrepreneurs with tools that are part of my Build Your Startup From the Heart work. One of those tools is very early stage investing, usually about $25,000. He generally likes to be the very first money into the company. He is willing (and even prefer) investing so early that the only traction is in the entrepreneur’s head. Bill chooses his investments based mainly on the entrepreneur, and not on the details of the idea.
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About Move With Freedom: Move With Freedom non-profit that designs advanced mobility devices and makes those designs open source.
Ernie Sadau
President, CEO of CHRISTUS Health
Ernie Sadau is responsible for day-to-day operations of CHRISTUS Health and lends extensive expertise in developing programs to improve quality and clinical integration and preparing the organization to capitalize on the opportunities of the future. Ernie joined CHRISTUS as Senior Vice President of Patient and Resident Care Operations in 2006. His title was changed to Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2008 as he expanded his role and oversight within the organization. Ernie also served as the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for CHRISTUS Health, developing the strategic initiatives and processes to ensure that CHRISTUS is living out its commitment to valuing differences and strengthening the ministry’s culture of inclusion. Before joining CHRISTUS, Ernie served in many roles at Adventist Health System from 1983-2006, holding various executive positions in the organization’s many hospitals and systems, including Chief Financial Officer, Administrator, and President and CEO of Adventist Health System/Midwest in Hinsdale, Ill., which includes five hospitals, over 60 physician practices, surgery and imaging centers and several home care agencies. During his tenure with Adventist, Ernie led successful hospital acquisitions and joint ventures; implemented thriving physician recruiting, community relations and employee development programs and developed many necessary medical services in the communities he served, including opening the only freestanding Emergency Room in Illinois and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Ernie holds a master’s degree in Hospital Administration from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. He received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of North Texas. Ernie is a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives, and was named an Up & Comer by Modern Healthcare magazine in 2000, an award that honors rising young stars in the health care management field.
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About CHRISTUS Health: Christus Health is an international Catholic, faith-based, not-for-profit health system
Randy Osteen
ACIO, Vice President, Strategy and Applications of CHRISTUS Health
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About CHRISTUS Health: Christus Health is an international Catholic, faith-based, not-for-profit health system
Donald Stephens
President & Founder & Executive Committee Member of Mercy Ships
Don Stephens founded Mercy Ships in 1978 with the purchase of the Anastasis. As president, Don continues to direct and lead a workforce of over 1,000 professional volunteers from 45 nations with offices in 16 countries. In addition to this role, Don is the voice of “The Mercy Minute”—a radio broadcast aired on over 840 stations daily—and the author of three books: Trial by Trial (1985); Mandate for Mercy (1995), and Ships of Mercy (2005). In 2009, he was awarded the International Humanitarian of the Year award from Variety International, a children’s charity, in London.
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About Mercy Ships: Mercy Ships is a global charity operating a fleet of hospital ships in developing nations.
Matthew Strottman
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of In-Q-Tel
Matthew Strottman currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of In-Q-Tel, Inc., the independent strategic investment firm that identifies innovative technology solutions to support the mission of the CIA and broader U.S. Intelligence Community. In that role, he is responsible for overseeing investment and portfolio analysis and for managing all corporate functions such as finance, accounting, corporate operations and human resources. Prior to taking on the CFO responsibilities, Mr. Strottman served as the Senior Director of Investment Analysis at In-Q-Tel where he managed the vetting and due diligence of all potential investments as well as portfolio management involving tracking the financial performance and valuations of In-Q-Tel’s investments. Prior to joining In-Q-Tel, Mr. Strottman worked in the Technology Investment Banking Group at Friedman Billings Ramsey & Co, Inc (Nasdaq: FBCM). During his four years at FBR, Mr. Strottman executed public and private equity financing, merger and acquisition, restructuring, and venture capital transactions totaling over $3 billion. Mr. Strottman began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP in Los Angeles where he focused primarily on the real estate and technology industries.
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About In-Q-Tel: In-Q-Tel identifies and partners with companies developing cutting-edge technologies to help deliver solutions.
Steve Bowsher
Managing Partner and Executive Vice President of In-Q-Tel
Steve Bowsher serves as Executive Vice President at In-Q-Tel, leading In-Q-Tel’s strategic investment strategy. Mr. Bowsher joined In-Q-Tel from InterWest Partners. While at InterWest, he served as General Partner, concentrating on the Enterprise software and Internet sector, and led and managed 13 investments in those sectors. Previously, Mr. Bowsher worked at E*TRADE, managing its value-added products and services. During his tenure at E*TRADE, he helped launch Destination E*TRADE, the company’s award-winning Web site. Mr. Bowsher was also an early stage employee at two start-up companies, where he was responsible for revenue and distribution targets. Mr. Bowsher has been a frequent speaker at industry-leading conferences such as the Wharton Technology Conference, IBF’s Early Stage Investing Conference, Internet World Annual Conference, and Dow Jones Private Equity Summit, and has been frequently quoted as a subject matter expert in national publications including the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and Fortune magazine. Mr. Bowsher graduated magna cum laude from Harvard and received his MBA from Stanford.
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About In-Q-Tel: In-Q-Tel identifies and partners with companies developing cutting-edge technologies to help deliver solutions.
Justin Wilder
Senior Vice President of In-Q-Tel
Justin Wilder is Senior Vice President Leading the Cyber Practice at In-Q-Tel, an independent, non-profit, strategic investment firm that identifies, adapts, and delivers innovative technology solutions in support of national security priorities serving the United States Intelligence Community. In his role, Mr. Wilder establishes technical investment direction while overseeing a portfolio of innovative cybersecurity companies addressing complex challenges at the intersection of national security and commercial industry. He has led the research and technical diligence exploring a number of domains leading to developmental investments in over 20 startups spanning Digital Forensics, Behavioral Analytics, Endpoint Protection, Orchestration and Automation, and Secure DevOps. His cybersecurity experience spans twenty years in service of Academic, Fortune 50, DoD, Federal, and Intelligence clients as a developer, engineer, advisor, and entrepreneur. Justin received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park and his Master’s degree in Computer Science from George Washington University.
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About IANS, In-Q-Tel: In-Q-Tel identifies and partners with companies developing cutting-edge technologies to help deliver solutions.
Kathryn Murdoch
Co-Founder and President of Quadrivium Foundation
Kathryn Murdoch is co-founder of the Quadrivium Foundation, which she started with her husband, James Murdoch. Through her work at Quadrivium, Murdoch supports inclusive, solutions-based organizations that are grounded in science and economics.
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About Quadrivium Foundation: The Quadrivium Foundation is a non-profit organization
Albert Chan
Enterprise Vice President, Chief of Digital Patient Experience of Sutter Health
Albert Chan, M.D., M.S., FAAFP, as Vice President, Chief of Digital Patient Experience at Sutter Health, is the corporate champion for the transformation of web and mobile health care services, translating the latest advancements in digital health into consumer-centric patient experiences and digitally empowered clinician workflows. He also leads the Sutter Health My Health Online initiative. He practices in Family Medicine at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. He earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in Biological Sciences from Stanford University and a medical degree from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. He completed his residency and year as chief resident in family medicine at the San Jose Medical Center Family Practice Residency, affiliated with Stanford University of School of Medicine. He concurrently completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Biomedical Informatics at Stanford University School of Medicine and Family Medicine Research at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, studying the effects of point of care decision support in the management of hypertension. During fellowship, Dr. Chan also assisted with the launch of PAMFOnline, now Sutter’s My Health Online, one of the earliest PHRs in the United States.
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About Sutter Health: Sutter Health is a non-profit organization operating a network of hospitals and physicians in Northern California.
Patrick E. Fry
President of Sutter Health
Mr. Patrick E. Fry, also known as Pat, serves as the President of Sutter Health. Mr. Fry served as Chief Executive Officer of Sutter Health until December 2012. He served as Administrative Resident of Sutter General Hospital in Sacramento since joining in 1982. From 2000 to 2005, he was Sutter Health’s second-in-command, served as its Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President. Over the ensuing years, Mr. Fry worked his way up through Sutter Health in increasingly responsible administrative positions both at the local affiliate and regional levels. In 1996, after serving as Regional President for Sutter Health’s affiliates in the Greater Sacramento Region, Mrhe served as the President of eastern operations, which covered 18 counties in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys. In 1999, Mr. Fry relocated his office to San Francisco, assuming leadership of Sutter Health’s Western Division, which included more than a dozen hospitals and physician organizations throughout the Greater Bay Area. Mr. Fry has been Chairman of the Board of VHA, Inc. since May 17, 2011 and as its Director since May 28, 2009. He serves as a Director of Sutter West Bay Hospitals, Sutter Amador Hospital, and Sutter Health. He served as Director of Novation, LLC. He served as a Director of St. Luke’s Hospital and California Pacific Medical Center. He serves as a Member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and Medical Group Management Association. Mr. Fry graduated from the University of California, Davis in 1979 with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health Administration, and received a Master’s Degree in Health Services Administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1982.
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About Sutter Health: Sutter Health is a non-profit organization operating a network of hospitals and physicians in Northern California.
Robert Hisaoka
President of Venture Philanthropy Partners
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About Venture Philanthropy Partners: VPP makes the future brighter for youth living in the National Capital Region by tackling the largest barriers
Cameron Wilson
COO and President, Code.org Advocacy Coalition of Code.org
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About Code.org: Code.org is a non-profit foundation focusing on developing computer programming education in the U.S.
Alice Steinglass
President of Code.org
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About Code.org: Code.org is a non-profit foundation focusing on developing computer programming education in the U.S.
Laurene Powell
Founder & President of Emerson Collective
Laurene Powell Jobs is founder and chair of Emerson Collective, an organization that supports social entrepreneurs who are committed to the ideal that everyone ought to have the chance to live to their full potential. Most of the work of Emerson Collective is anchored around ways to open doors to opportunity – focus areas include improving our nation’s schools, advocating for common sense immigration reform, and collaborating with partners who are innovating ways to create durable avenues for social and economic mobility. Powell Jobs shapes the vision of Emerson Collective, reviews impact, amplifies the momentum of its partners, and sets the operational direction of the organization. Many of the priorities championed by Emerson Collective are formed by the work of College Track, a program Powell Jobs founded in 1997 to prepare disadvantaged high school students for success in college. Today Powell Jobs is president of College Track’s board of directors, which now works with more than 2,000 students from Oakland, San Francisco, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Aurora, Colorado. More than 90 percent of College Track high school graduates go on to college (many of them are first generation students), and the program’s college graduation rate is more than double to that of low-income students. In addition to her work with Emerson Collective and College Track, she serves on the boards of directors of NewSchools Venture Fund, Teach for All, OZY Media, Conservation International and Stanford University. She also is a member of the Chairman’s advisory board of the Council on Foreign Relations. Powell Jobs holds a BA and a BSE from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Earlier in her career, she spent several years working in investment banking and later co-founded a natural foods company in California.
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About College Track, Emerson Collective: Emerson Collective strengthens schools, secures rights for immigrants, and restores relationship between humanity and nature.
Jingdong Hua
Vice President & Treasurer of THE WORLD BANK
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About THE WORLD BANK, THE WORLD BANK: The World Bank Group provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries.
Makhtar Diop
Vice President of THE WORLD BANK
Makhtar Diop is the Vice President for Infrastructure at World Bank.
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About International Finance Corporation, THE WORLD BANK: The World Bank Group provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries.
Laurie McGraw
SVP, Health Solutions & President, AMA Innovations of American Medical Association
Laurie McGraw is the SVP, American Medical Association.
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About American Medical Association: American Medical Association promotes the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.
Christopher Khoury
Vice President, Environmental Intelligence, Strategic Analytics, Partnerships and Innovation of American Medical Association
Strategy, Insights, and Innovation leader helping mature organizations build for the next century.
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About American Medical Association: American Medical Association promotes the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.
DAVID BARBE
President of American Medical Association
David is a board-certified family physician from Mountain Grove, Mo., and became president of the American Medical Association in June 2017. He has been a member of the AMA Board of Trustees (BOT) since June 2009.
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About American Medical Association, Mercy: American Medical Association promotes the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.
Tessie Martin
President & CEO, USA of Plan International
Tessie San Martin, President/CEO, is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years’ experience helping to address gaps in education, economic growth, capacity-building, corporate governance, political reform and labor policy globally. Her work has taken her to Egypt, India, Mexico, Bosnia, and Indonesia, among other countries, where professional initiatives have involved supporting disenfranchised populations, a significant number of which are women and young girls. Dr. San Martin holds a Ph.D. in political economy and government from Harvard University, a Master’s in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, and a B.S. from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. Her career includes work in public and private sectors, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, and academia – as well as a wide variety of international development roles. Prior to joining Plan International USA as CEO and President, Dr. San Martin served as Vice President for International Development at Abt Associates, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based consulting company providing research and technical assistance expertise on a wide range of social, economic, and technological policy issues in the US and overseas. While at Abt Associates, she helped grow the company’s international development business to nearly $200 million a year, almost tripling the portfolio in less than three years. Under her leadership, Abt was tapped by the UK government to implement the ambitious $200 million PATHS2 program in Nigeria, designed to improve that country’s healthcare system. The USAID-funded projects in her portfolio spanned a broad range of activities – from improving the efficiency and quality of obstetrics and newborn care in Jordan and Peru, to helping increase farmer income and food security in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Mali, and Mozambique. Dr. San Martin previously worked as the Director for the Operations Group of the World Bank’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), where she was responsible for a group of 45 professionals involved in the Agency’s political risk insurance and technical assistance programs. In this role, she facilitated the integration of the agency’s $1.2 billion underwriting operations with other risk mitigation products in the World Bank, oversaw development of the agency’s new strategic framework, as well as increased significantly MIGA’s trust funds to support an expanded technical assistance portfolio focused on enhancing developing country access to foreign investment. Before joining MIGA, Dr. San Martin was a Partner in IBM Consulting Services, where she was responsible for building a $100 million portfolio in international development spanning more than 40 countries. The portfolio included privatization projects in Egypt, Bosnia, and Indonesia; capital markets and corporate governance strengthening projects in the former Soviet Union and India; pension reform programs in Mexico and Poland; and competitiveness and workforce development projects in Egypt. Previously she was an adjunct professor at Florida International University in Miami; president of a consulting company in Washington, DC that specialized in strategic planning; and senior faculty advisor for a management institute in the Dominican Republic. Dr. San Martin lives in Washington, DC, with her husband and two teenage daughters. She is on the road frequently, traveling between Plan’s offices in the U.S. and abroad. But she always finds time to go running, and as time permits enjoys tennis and baking (and eating) bread.
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About Plan International: Plan International is a children’s development organization that promotes child rights to end child poverty.
Christoph Gorder
President & Chief Global Water Officer of charity: water
Christoph grew up in the Central African Republic and Nigeria, where getting clean water is still a dream for millions. He’s spent the last 15 years at AmeriCares, bringing medicine, medical supplies and healthcare to people in crisis around the world. Christoph joined charity: water to lead our programs, run day-to-day operations, and help us maximize our efficiency and impact worldwide.
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About charity: water: charity: water is a non-profit organization that supplies clean and safe drinking water to developing nations.
Scott Jones
Founder, Chairman & President of Eleven Fifty Academy
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About ChaCha, Eleven Fifty Academy: Eleven Fifty Academy is a nonprofit that serves the coding and professional community through immersive learning.
Azzedine Downes
President and Chief Executive Officer of IFAW
As President and CEO, Azzedine Downes is responsible for the strategic vision that will guide IFAW’s contribution to a standard for conservation and animal welfare worldwide. Azzedine has been a leader on conservation issues over the past sixteen years. In his previous role as IFAW’s Executive Vice President, Azzedine oversaw both the Programmes Team and International Operations. His coordination of these key areas led to an increased global impact on animal issues and led to the expansion of IFAW’s work to the more than forty countries in which IFAW is found today. He has made significant contributions to the development of management systems within the organisation, paving the way for improved functioning throughout IFAW’s increasing global range.Under Azzedine’s leadership, IFAW opened its first office in the Middle East and expanded its work on global animal conservation and welfare issues. He was responsible for designing and launching IFAW’s Prevention of Wildlife Trafficking (Wildlife Law Enforcement) programme, which provides ongoing training and support for law enforcement and customs officials faced with growing illegal trade issues. His leadership on international illicit trade in wildlife has resulted in the development of IFAW’s Wildlife Crime and Consumer Awareness programme. Azzedine spearheaded the expansion of IFAW’s Tiger Team work into Bhutan and South Asia, expanding and strengthening protection for tigers in their range states.Azzedine has served as Head of the Delegation to the CITES Conference of the Parties, leading campaigns to reduce and restrict negative impacts of wildlife trade. His programme teams also provide direct assistance to wildlife and domestic animals through the Animal Rescue and Companion Animals Programmes. Fluent in English, French and Arabic, Azzedine is an accomplished public speaker and regularly presents IFAW’s work to the media in those three languages.Azzedine is committed to finding solutions to the problems facing wildlife and companion animals in today’s complex world by combining good science, sound animal welfare concepts and culturally appropriate solutions.
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About IFAW: IFAW is a non-profit organization that saves individual animals, animal populations, and habitats all over the world.
Rasheed Meadows
Vice President of TNTP
Rasheed oversees TNTP’s work with senior district leaders and their teams to develop and implement academic strategies that improve student performance across their systems. Prior to joining TNTP, Rasheed served as Network Superintendent for Boston Public Schools, where he led more than 5,000 students and directly supervised 15 principals and supported their leadership teams. Rasheed began his career as a science and technology teacher before serving as Dean of Students at a large, public high school in Cambridge, MA. Later, he became a founding administrator at a Boston public middle school, and then Founding Headmaster at Boston’s Urban Science Academy, where he substantially raised graduation rates while closing achievement gaps and achieved some of the highest graduation rates for special education students in the district. Rasheed holds a BA in biology from Yale University, as well as a master’s degree in teaching and curriculum and a doctorate in education leadership from Harvard University.
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About TNTP: A national nonprofit founded by teachers, TNTP helps school systems end educational inequality and achieve their goals for students.
Tequilla Banks
Executive Vice President, of TNTP
Tequilla leads TNTP’s Strategy, Systems & Policy department, which works to ensure that districts and states are doing everything they can to support great teaching, from designing better evaluation systems and supporting managers, to crafting smarter policies. Previously, as Senior Strategist, Tequilla helped lead projects such as measures of student learning with the New York City Department of Education and TNTP’s new work on student surveys. Before joining TNTP, Tequilla worked for nine years in Memphis City Schools, where she oversaw the district-wide effort to improve student outcomes by increasing teacher effectiveness. Working alongside TNTP’s staff, Tequilla helped build community support for quality education, and drove human capital reforms that led to significant policy changes. Tequilla holds a BA in psychology from Yale University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. She recently completed coursework for her capstone degree at the University of Memphis’ College of Education where she was named the school’s outstanding doctoral student in 2011, and is currently writing her dissertation on policy implications surrounding teacher effectiveness.
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About TNTP: A national nonprofit founded by teachers, TNTP helps school systems end educational inequality and achieve their goals for students.
Victoria Van Cleef
Vice President, Client Team of TNTP
Victoria Van Cleef oversees TNTP’s efforts to build leadership capacity at the school level to effectively manage teacher talent. This includes supporting the implementation of new evaluation systems, coaching school leaders on retaining their irreplaceable teachers, conducting evaluations and providing feedback and support, strengthening instructional culture and making critical hiring, tenure, retention and promotion decisions. She is also responsible for supporting schools and districts to develop their future leadership pathways. Previously, Victoria served as TNTP’s Vice President of Staffing Initiatives, focusing on staffing chronically low-performing schools with top teacher talent, and as Vice President of Business Development & Communications, establishing partnerships with school districts and state departments of education and managing TNTP’s marketing strategy. Prior to joining TNTP, Victoria served as a consultant to the Stupski Foundation, identifying best practices to support whole district reform efforts, and as Senior Research Associate and Special Assistant to the Dean of New York University’s Steinhardt School of Education where she coordinated projects devoted to strengthening the teacher force in high-need schools and districts. She served as Special Assistant to the Chancellor for the New York City Public Schools under two administrations, working on both instructional and operational initiatives. Victoria also worked in curriculum and product development for The Efficacy Institute. Victoria holds a BA in Classical Civilizations from the UCLA and a Master’s in Public Policy Analysis from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service. She currently serves on the Tennessee State Board of Education’s Advisory Council on Teacher Education and Certification and is a member of the steering committee for the National Civil Rights Museum’s Equity Education Project.
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About TNTP, TNTP: A national nonprofit founded by teachers, TNTP helps school systems end educational inequality and achieve their goals for students.
Crystal Harmon
TitleExecutive Vice President, National Consulting & Organizational Workforce of TNTP
Crystal Harmon oversees TNTP’s business and operations strategy, staff recruitment and retention, and knowledge management efforts. She also leads our comprehensive reform efforts in Houston and Memphis. Previously, as Chief of Staff and Partner for TNTP’s Policy & Research Business Line, Crystal managed district- and state-level research and policy analysis initiatives. As a Project Director, Crystal led contract analysis and data gathering in Milwaukee, publishing a report that catalyzed significant policy reform. Crystal joined TNTP in 2004 as a Site Manager for the Baltimore City Teaching Residency, doubling the number of teachers in the program. She began her career teaching first grade in Baltimore City through Teach For America. She holds a BA in Journalism from Pennsylvania State University and a MAT from the Johns Hopkins University. She currently serves on the board of directors for The Equity Project Charter School in New York City. Read more about her in this Education Week profile.
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About TNTP: A national nonprofit founded by teachers, TNTP helps school systems end educational inequality and achieve their goals for students.
Crystal Harmon
TitleExecutive Vice President, National Consulting & Organizational Workforce of TNTP
Crystal Harmon oversees TNTP’s business and operations strategy, staff recruitment and retention, and knowledge management efforts. She also leads our comprehensive reform efforts in Houston and Memphis. Previously, as Chief of Staff and Partner for TNTP’s Policy & Research Business Line, Crystal managed district- and state-level research and policy analysis initiatives. As a Project Director, Crystal led contract analysis and data gathering in Milwaukee, publishing a report that catalyzed significant policy reform. Crystal joined TNTP in 2004 as a Site Manager for the Baltimore City Teaching Residency, doubling the number of teachers in the program. She began her career teaching first grade in Baltimore City through Teach For America. She holds a BA in Journalism from Pennsylvania State University and a MAT from the Johns Hopkins University. She currently serves on the board of directors for The Equity Project Charter School in New York City. Read more about her in this Education Week profile.
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About TNTP: A national nonprofit founded by teachers, TNTP helps school systems end educational inequality and achieve their goals for students.
Jill Murphy
Vice President & Editor-in-Chief of Common Sense Media
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About Common Sense Media: Common Sense Media provides information and education to help kids and families thrive in a world of media and technology.
Jeff MacGregor
Vice President of Communications, Science of Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
I am a communications leader who has spent more than a decade building and executing successful comms strategies for some of the world’s most well known people, companies, and brands. I helped create two of the most successful marketing campaigns in the history of global banking, helped lead a seed-funded startup to a successful Silicon Valley exit, and now lead communications within a multi-billion dollar tech-focused philanthropy. My work has won over 50 international awards and has been regularly featured around the globe.
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About Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative: Chan Zuckerberg Initiative supports community-driven solutions to accelerate progress in science, education, and justice.
Bror Saxberg
Vice President and Learning Science of Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Bror Saxberg is the Vice President, Learning Science at Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Chief Learning Officer for Kaplan, Inc., a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC) and a leading global provider of educational services offering post-secondary education, test preparation, professional education, English-language training, university preparation, and K12 offerings to individuals, institutions, and businesses. Saxberg is responsible for the research and development of innovative learning strategies, technologies, and products across Kaplan’s full range of educational services offerings. He also oversees future developments and adoptions of innovative learning technologies and maintains consistent academic standards for Kaplan’s products and courses. Saxberg speaks often at education, business, and public policy conferences, including: recent appearances at Microsoft’s CEO Summit, TEDx, the Stanford Digital Learning Forum, and the “Education Datapalooza” conference, hosted by the White House and US Department of Education. He is the co-author of “Breakthrough Leadership in the Digital Age” (2014) with Frederick M. Hess. His articles have been published in a host of academic, educational, and scientific journals. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Learning Officer at K12, Inc., where he was responsible for designing both online and offline learning environments and developing new student products and services. Prior to joining K12, Inc., he was Vice President at Knowledge Universe, where he co-founded the testing and assessment division which became known as Knowledge Testing Enterprises (KTE). Saxberg began his career at McKinsey & Company, Inc. and later served as Vice President and General Manager for London-based DK Multimedia, part of DK Publishing, an education and reference publisher. Saxberg holds a B.A. in Mathematics and B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington, both received in 1980. As a Rhodes Scholar, he received a M.A. in Mathematics from Oxford University, and also received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT in 1989 and a M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1990.
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About Chan Zuckerberg Initiative: Chan Zuckerberg Initiative supports community-driven solutions to accelerate progress in science, education, and justice.
Jane Wales
Vice President, Philanthropy and Society of The Aspen Institute
Jane Wales is Vice President, Philanthropy and Society of the Aspen Institute and Executive Director of its Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation. She is the Founder of the Global Philanthropy Forum, President of the World Affairs Council and host of the nationally syndicated weekly National Public Radio show “WorldAffairs”. Ms. Wales held senior positions in the Clinton and Carter Administrations, serving as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director of the National Security Council, Associate Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State. In the philanthropic sector, Ms. Wales chaired the international security programs at the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the W. Alton Jones Foundation, and directed the Project on World Security at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. She was Acting CEO of The Elders, chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and founded by Nelson Mandela. Ms. Wales is a member of the board of directors for the Center for a New American Security and FSG.
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About The Aspen Institute, The Global Philanthropy Forum: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Elliot Gerson
Executive Vice President Of Policy And Public Programs, International Partners of The Aspen Institute
Elliot Gerson is an executive vice president at the Aspen Institute, responsible for its Policy Programs, its Public Programs and its relations with international partners. The Institute’s more than 30 Policy Programs focus on both domestic and international issues. They provide neutral venues, do nonpartisan analysis, foster candid dialogue among leaders, advocate new policy and promote best practices. The Institute’s public programs – including the Aspen Ideas Festival and many smaller programs across the country – open the Institute’s doors to a broader audience and further both its educational goals and its hopes that thought will lead to action. The Institute has international partners in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Romania, and Spain. Gerson also administers the US Rhodes Scholarships. He was a Rhodes Scholar, a US Supreme Court clerk, practiced law in government and privately, held executive positions in state and federal government and on a presidential campaign, and was president of start-ups in health care and education, and of two leading national insurance and health-care companies. He has served on many non-profit boards, especially in the arts.
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About Rhodes Scholarship Trust, The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
James Spiegelman
Vp, Chief External Affairs Officer; Deputy To The President of The Aspen Institute
As Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer, Jim Spiegelman serves as the chief spokesman for the Aspen Institute. Jim is responsible for engaging both internal and external audiences in Institute programs and activities. He manages relations with the public and news media and provides strategic communications counsel to senior colleagues throughout the Institute. He oversees the Institute’s Communications Department which manages the organization’s website, produces the triannual Ideas: The Magazine of the Aspen Institute, as well as the online Aspen Journal of Ideas and its Five Best Ideas of the Day email. The Department also designs and produces most of the Institute’s publications, including the Annual Report, and produces or oversees the video collection archived on AspenInstitute.org, AspenIdeas.org and on YouTube. He organizes both the monthly Washington Ideas Roundtable Series and the Alma and Joseph Gildenhorn Book Series, and provides support and guidance to the Institute’s myriad public programs, including the Aspen Ideas Festival. As deputy to the President, Jim is a member of the Institute’s senior management team and serves as President and CEO Walter Isaacson’s point person on a wide variety of programmatic and creative initiatives. In this role, he serves as the President’s right hand and confidant. Jim joined the Aspen Institute in January 2001. He previously was a consulting editor at BusinessWeek magazine, where he designed and managed global conferences on economic, political, and business topics. He has also been chief of staff at the United Nations Association of the USA; an analyst for a global hedge fund; special assistant to financier/philanthropist George Soros; deputy policy director for the 1992 Presidential campaign of then-US Senator Bob Kerrey; research/program director at Georgetown University’s School of Business; and a foreign affairs fellow at the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress. His articles have appeared in numerous publications. He received a BA in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in International Affairs from the School of International Service at American University.
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About The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Namita Khasat
Executive Vice President: Finance And Administration of The Aspen Institute
Namita Khasat provides executive leadership to the national and global financial and administrative functions for the Institute including oversight of Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, general office administration, legal, and real estate. As a Board member she also serves as the Corporate Treasurer for Service Year Exchange organization chaired by General McChrystal. Namita has served at executive levels since 1985 as Chief Financial Officer/Chief Information Officer/Chief Administrative officer in various nonprofits in the philanthropic space – Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, in government and in healthcare. Prior to starting at the Aspen Institute she was the Chief Financial Officer for Delaware Hospice, a statewide organization with offices in Delaware and Pennsylvania, providing leadership to all its financial and administrative functions for all inpatient and home-based healthcare services.
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About Democracy Works, Service Year, The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Cristal Logan
Vice President, Aspen, And Director Of Aspen Community Programs of The Aspen Institute
Cristal Logan, Vice President, Aspen and Director of Aspen Community Programs at the Aspen Institute, is responsible for creating and overseeing year-round public programs for the Aspen community. During her tenure at the Institute, Cristal has expanded the number of community events exponentially. The Aspen Community Programs hosts a variety of events including the McCloskey Speaker Series, the Hurst Lecture Series, The Murdock Mind Body Spirit Series, the Hurst Student Seminars for Middle School, and High School Students; Great Books and Great Decisions Discussion Series’, Fireside Chats, Teen Socrates, the Sharing Shakespeare and Athens to Aspen Series, as well as a host of diverse offerings throughout the years. Under Cristal’s leadership, the Aspen Community Programs hosts over 60 program days each year for local residents, visitors, and teens. Prior to joining the Institute in 1999, Cristal worked in Administration at Aspen Valley Hospital; and in Finance at the Aspen Skiing Company. A fourth generation resident of the Roaring Fork Valley, Cristal has been a committed member of the community by serving on the board of the Aspen Hall of Fame, participating as a member of Leadership Aspen Class of 2000, and as one of the inaugural members of the Aspen Community Foundation Spring Board. She is Vice Chairman of the Board of the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, and served on the Aspen Valley Hospital Community Advisory Committee (2006-2016) and the Colorado Mountain College Community Advisory Committee (2008-2016). Cristal is married to Mark Logan, Principal at Cadence Brand Marketing, and they have a wonderful son.
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About The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Eric Motley
Executive Vice President, Institutional Advancement And Corporate Secretary of The Aspen Institute
Eric L. Motley, Ph.D., is an executive vice president at the Aspen Institute, responsible for Institutional Advancement and governance. He previously served as Vice President and Executive Director of National Programs and prior to that he served as Vice President and Managing Director of the Henry Crown Fellows Program from January 2007 until April 2014. In addition to managing the Henry Crown Fellowship Program, he served as the Executive Director of the Aspen-Rockefeller Foundation’s Commission to Reform the Federal Appointments Process, an independent, nonpartisan effort to evaluate the Federal government’s vetting and clearance procedures. Prior to joining the Aspen Institute, he served as the Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Office of International Visitors within the bureau of Public Diplomacy. In 2003, he became Special Assistant to President George W. Bush for Presidential Personnel, where he managed the appointment process in the White House for over 1,200 presidentially-appointed advisory board and commission positions. He joined the White House staff as Deputy Associate Director, Office of Presidential Personnel in 2001. Eric is a Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute, Class of 2003. He has written and lectured on the intellectual and political contributions of Scottish-born American Founding Father, James Wilson. He is currently engaged in developing a collection on the scholarship of the eminent Greek scholar Sir Kenneth Dover, including copies of all his books, personal papers and various items from his personal catalogue. In October 2006 he published his first volume of poetry Luminaria. His civic involvement includes the Cosmos Club of Washington, DC; Grolier Club of New York City; Board of Directors of Young Concert Artists; Samford University; and the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. He serves on the Board of Directors of Barry-Wehmiller Companies, the Library Cabinet for the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington, The Smithsonian American Art Museum’s National Council, and the Chapter Board of the Washington National Cathedral. He is a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary International Foundation. Eric is an avid book collector of first editions and rare books with a concentration on the English writer and lexicographer Samuel Johnson. Eric earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy from Samford University in 1996. As a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, he earned a Master of Letters in International Relations and a Ph.D. in International Relations as the John Steven Watson Scholar.
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About The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Kitty Boone
Vice President of The Aspen Institute
Kitty is responsible for oversight of a broad array of public facing programs and events at the Aspen Institute. She is the primary executive in charge of the Aspen Ideas Festival, a week-long conference that is hosted by the Institute and The Atlantic magazine each summer in Aspen, and also supports and works with colleagues on numerous additional programs which the Institute partners in or manages, including Spotlight Health, Aspen Abu Dhabi Ideas Forum, City Lab, Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit, and various smaller initiatives. Kitty has worked at the Aspen Institute since 2003. Prior to joining The Aspen Institute, where she also had responsibilities for seminar programs, Kitty served as Vice President, Marketing and Sales at Aspen Skiing Company, where she worked for 11 years. A native of San Francisco and a graduate of Stanford University, Kitty began her career in Washington DC as an intern for a national environmental group, ultimately coming to Aspen in 1989, after stints in the public and private sector and earning her Masters in Public and Private Management at Yale School of Management. She is the proud mom of college-bound twins, sits on two boards in Aspen, and is passionate about education.
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About The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Ross Wiener
Vice President of The Aspen Institute
Ross Wiener is a vice president at the Aspen Institute and executive director of the Education and Society Program. In this role Ross leads professional learning networks for urban school district leaders and senior Congressional Education staffers. The program assists policymakers and education leaders in strengthening human capital systems, supporting implementation of Common Core State Standards, and strategically reallocating financial resources. In addition to facilitating networks, the Education & Society Program hosts public conversations as well as off-the-record workshops, and publishes original research and commentary. From 2002 to 2009, Ross worked at the Education Trust, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to raising standards and closing achievement gaps in public education. As policy director and then as vice president for program and policy, Ross managed the Education Trust’s research/data analysis, policy development, conference programming, and technical assistance to educators and policymakers in both K-12 and higher education. Prior to Education Trust, Ross served for five years as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Educational Opportunities Section, where he represented the United States in cases dealing with desegregation, harassment, and the adequacy of services to limited-English proficient and disabled students.
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About The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Ross Wiener
Vice President of The Aspen Institute
Ross Wiener is a vice president at the Aspen Institute and executive director of the Education and Society Program. In this role Ross leads professional learning networks for urban school district leaders and senior Congressional Education staffers. The program assists policymakers and education leaders in strengthening human capital systems, supporting implementation of Common Core State Standards, and strategically reallocating financial resources. In addition to facilitating networks, the Education & Society Program hosts public conversations as well as off-the-record workshops, and publishes original research and commentary. From 2002 to 2009, Ross worked at the Education Trust, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to raising standards and closing achievement gaps in public education. As policy director and then as vice president for program and policy, Ross managed the Education Trust’s research/data analysis, policy development, conference programming, and technical assistance to educators and policymakers in both K-12 and higher education. Prior to Education Trust, Ross served for five years as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Educational Opportunities Section, where he represented the United States in cases dealing with desegregation, harassment, and the adequacy of services to limited-English proficient and disabled students.
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About The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Mickey Edwards
Vice President of The Aspen Institute
Mickey Edwards is Board of Directors Emeritus at The Constitution Project.
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About The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Jason Bertsch
Senior Vice President of American Enterprise Institute
Jason Bertsch is Senior Vice President of Development and Communications at American Enterprise Institute.
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About American Enterprise Institute, American Enterprise Institute: Tech Policy Daily offers research and commentary on broadband, FCC policy, cybersecurity, and competition in high-tech industries.
Arthur Brooks
President & Board of Directors of American Enterprise Institute
Arthur C. Brooks is president of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). He is also the Beth and Ravenel Curry Scholar in Free Enterprise at AEI.Immediately before joining AEI, Brooks was the Louis A. Bantle Professor of Business and Government at Syracuse University, where he taught economics and social entrepreneurship. Brooks is the author of 10 books and hundreds of articles on topics including the role of government, fairness, economic opportunity, happiness, and the morality of free enterprise. His latest book, “The Road to Freedom: How to Win the Fight for Free Enterprise” (2012) was a New York Times bestseller. Among his earlier books are “Gross National Happiness” (2008), “Social Entrepreneurship” (2008), and “Who Really Cares” (2006). Before pursuing his work in public policy, Brooks spent 12 years as a classical musician in the United States and Spain. Brooks is a frequent guest on national television and radio talk shows and has been published widely in publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. Brooks has a Ph.D. and an M.Phil. in policy analysis from RAND Graduate School. He also holds an M.A. in economics from Florida Atlantic University and a B.A. in economics from Thomas Edison State College.
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About American Enterprise Institute: Tech Policy Daily offers research and commentary on broadband, FCC policy, cybersecurity, and competition in high-tech industries.
William Brody
President of Salk Institute for Biological Studies
William Brody is the President of the Salk Institute.
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About National Academy of Engineering, Salk Institute for Biological Studies: Salk Institute for Biological Studies conducts research on molecular biology and genetics, neurosciences, and plant biology.
Rebecca Newman
Vice President of External Relations of Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Rebecca Newman joined the Salk Institute as the Vice President, External Relations in February 2008. Since her arrival, the Institute has enjoyed an annual net increase in event profits, a historic fundraising cycle and exciting new experiences with unique events such as Chihuly at the Salk, Step into Discovery, the Salk Science and Music Series and Symphony at Salk. In her oversight of fundraising programs, donor relations, and communications, the Institute’s visibility, awareness and community involvement have developed dramatically. In addition, Ms. Newman has led her team to increase private giving by approximately 40 percent over the last four years. She has overseen Salk’s first major fundraising campaign, with a goal of raising $300 million to support scientific research. Newman brings more than 25 years of financial endowment development and capital campaign experience from the business and nonprofit industries. She joined Salk after serving for seven years at the University of California, San Diego, as Associate Vice Chancellor, Development. In this role, she executed a historic conclusion of UCSD’s capital campaign by exceeding its $1 billion goal. She has a long history of volunteerism in the philanthropic community, serving as national president of the United Jewish Communities and National Chair for the United Jewish Appeal Women’s Campaign. Locally, she was campaign chair and president of the United Jewish Federation of San Diego, and a former board member of the Jewish Community Foundation and the San Diego National Bank Business Advisory Council. As a volunteer, she helped design, fund and implement welfare and relief programs in countries as diverse as Argentina, Cuba, Israel, and the republics of the former Soviet Union. A native of Chicago, Rebecca Newman has a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Michigan.
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About Salk Institute for Biological Studies: Salk Institute for Biological Studies conducts research on molecular biology and genetics, neurosciences, and plant biology.
Kim Witmer
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer of Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Kim Witmer is Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Salk Institute. She oversees all financial activities of the Salk, including financial reporting and treasury functions, research accounting, annual budgets, procurement, grants administration and endowment/investment management. Prior to joining the Salk, Witmer worked for the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche. Witmer also acts as past President of AIRI, the Association of Independent Research Institutes, as well as serving on AIRI’s Board of Directors and Government Affairs Committee. AIRI brings together nearly 100 independent, not-for-profit biomedical and behavioral research institutes whose mission is to enhance the ability of its members to improve human health and advance knowledge. Additionally, Witmer served as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine (SCRM), and currently holds a position on SCRM’s Administrative Council as the Salk representative. She is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.S. in business administration from San Diego State University.
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About Salk Institute for Biological Studies: Salk Institute for Biological Studies conducts research on molecular biology and genetics, neurosciences, and plant biology.
Jennefer Collins
Vice President of Academic & Administrative Services of Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Jennefer Collins is Vice President of Academic and Administrative Services at the Salk Institute. She is responsible for the education outreach programs, human resources, academic program management including immigration and postdoctoral services, and graduate education affiliate programs, business information systems, and the Salk library. Prior to joining the Salk Institute in 2008, she served in higher education and health care administration, most recently as Assistant Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Additional positions held include Executive Officer, Biological Sciences at UCSD, and Director of Financial Affairs at the University of Southern California (USC), School of Dentistry. Ms. Collins has received many awards and honors, including awards honoring excellence in Academic Program Management at UCSD, and the Associated Student Body Award for Outstanding Service at USC. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California.
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About Salk Institute for Biological Studies, University of California, San Diego: Salk Institute for Biological Studies conducts research on molecular biology and genetics, neurosciences, and plant biology.
Lane Becker
President, Wikimedia LLC of Wikimedia Foundation
Lane Becker is co-founder and President of Get Satisfaction, a web startup dedicated to fostering new methods of communication and collaboration between companies and their customers. Lane is a co-founder of Adaptive Path and currently sits on the Board of Directors. Adaptive Path is a user experience strategy, research, and design consultancy, known for, among other things, coining the technology terms “blog” and “ajax.” While with Adaptive Path, Lane ran the consulting business and, as the creator of the New Ventures program, developed strategic partnerships with early-stage startup companies to provide them with long-term support for their product ideation, design, and launch strategies. As a consultant specializing in organizational strategy and team development, Lane has worked with companies as varied as NPR, PBS, Princess Cruises, McGraw-Hill, the National Gallery of Art, and the United Nations. As a speaker, Lane has provided training and direction to numerous organizations, including Sun Microsystems, the Bank of America, The Washington Post, Visa, and Cathay Pacific Airlines, as well as speaking at conferences such as O’Reilly’s Open Source Conferences, the University of California at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
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About Dcode, Democracy Dashboard, Origin.al, Wikimedia Foundation, Wikimedia Foundation: Wikimedia Foundation encourages the development and distribution of free educational content with projects such as Wikipedia.
Megan Hernandez
Vice President of Advancement of Wikimedia Foundation
Megan joined the Wikimedia Director of Online Fundraising.
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About Wikimedia Foundation: Wikimedia Foundation encourages the development and distribution of free educational content with projects such as Wikipedia.
Sandy Andelman
Senior Vice President and Chief Scientist of The Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science + Oceans of Conservation International
Dr. Sandy Andelman has pioneered the creation of global monitoring and forecasting systems for climate change and ecological change — early-warning systems — to recognize and predict thresholds of environmental degradation in time to prevent them and to promote resilient human societies. Sandy Andelman, Executive Director of Vital Signs, is Chief Scientist and Senior Vice President of the Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science and Oceans at CI. She previously served as Deputy Director of the U.S. National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS), one of the world’s top ecological research institutes. Her scientific expertise includes tropical ecosystems, biodiversity, climate change and interactions between the environment and human well-being. Sandy has pioneered the creation of global monitoring and forecasting systems for climate change and ecological change — early-warning systems — to recognize and predict thresholds of environmental degradation in time to prevent them and to promote resilient human societies. She has a Ph.D. in behavioral ecology from the University of Washington.
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About Conservation International: Conservation International is a financially accountable and transparent organization that empowers societies to responsibly care for nature.
Cynthia McKee
Sr. Vice President, Development of Conservation International
Cynthia McKee joined Conservation International as Sr. Vice President, Development in 2011.
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About Conservation International: Conservation International is a financially accountable and transparent organization that empowers societies to responsibly care for nature.
Albert Mwangi
Senior Vice President of Conservation International
Albert Mwangi is responsible for providing the strategic direction, leadership, and oversight for CI’s entire institutional engagement in Africa. Albert Mwangi is Senior Vice President for the Africa and Madagascar Field Division. He is responsible for providing the strategic direction, leadership, and oversight for CI’s entire institutional engagement in Africa. Albert came to CI from the African Development Bank in Tunisia, where he was the Task Manager for forestry and climate change adaptation and mitigation projects in Western and Eastern Africa. Previously, he was Program Manager at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Drylands Development Centre in Nairobi, and the National Programme Manager in charge of the Environment and Natural Resources Programme. He was leading preparations and appraisals of new projects and was advising on management on global forestry and climate change issues. In addition, he assisted Bank member countries in the implementation of strategic environment and natural resource management initiatives and coordinated loan activities. Albert was also a member of an inter-departmental team that was developing the Bank’s Green Growth Strategy. A former lecturer at Kenyatta University, he holds a Ph.D. in resource economics from Michigan State University, where he was a Fulbright Scholar. He is fluent in English and Kiswahili, and has a basic knowledge of French.Albert is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
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About Conservation International, United States Agency for International Development: Conservation International is a financially accountable and transparent organization that empowers societies to responsibly care for nature.
Jill Sigal
Vice President, US Government Policy and Chief of Staff to the Chairman and CEO of Conservation International
Jill Sigal is the Vice President of Conservation International’s department of US Government Policy.Jill has built a strong foundation in the energy sector after first becoming employed by the Department of Energy in 1985. Since then, her career has brought her to EnergySolutions Inc. and Conservation International Foundation.
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About Conservation International: Conservation International is a financially accountable and transparent organization that empowers societies to responsibly care for nature.
Fabio Scarano
Senior Vice President of Conservation International
Dr. Fabio Rubio Scarano has over 100 publications on topics related to biodiversity conservation, botany, climate change, ecology, higher education policy, and science policy. Dr. Fabio Rubio Scarano joined CI in 2009 and is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and holds the position of Senior Vice President for the Americas Field Division. He has a degree in foresty from the University of Brasília, Brazil and a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. He is an associate professor of Ecology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, since 1993; Fellow of the Linnean Society of London since 1995; and has been a Visiting Professor at the Universities of Darmstadt (Germany, 2002) and Minnesota (US, 2003). In the Brazilian government, Fabio has held positions at the Ministry of Education (2005-2011) and Ministry of Environment (2007-2009). In January 2011, he was a lead author of both IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change) and PBMC (Brazilian Panel of Climate Change). He has over 100 publications on topics related to biodiversity conservation, botany, climate change, ecology, higher education policy and science policy.
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About Conservation International, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro: Conservation International is a financially accountable and transparent organization that empowers societies to responsibly care for nature.
Fabio Arjona
Vice President of Colombia of Conservation International
Fabio Arjona is Vice President of Colombia at Conservation International.
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About Conservation International: Conservation International is a financially accountable and transparent organization that empowers societies to responsibly care for nature.
Daniela Raik
Executive Vice President, Field Programs of Conservation International
Daniela manages and supports the field programs and is motivated by the effort to demonstrate the links between nature and people. Daniela is Vice President of Field Program Management at CI. She joined CI in 2006, and in her current role she works to manage and support the field programs. Daniela has her Ph.D. in natural resources from Cornell University. Prior to her work at CI, she worked as the natural resources management specialist at USAID. Daniela is motivated by the effort to demonstrate the links between nature and people and by the commitment level of her CI colleagues.
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About Conservation International: Conservation International is a financially accountable and transparent organization that empowers societies to responsibly care for nature.
Dr. M. Sanjayan
Executive Vice President of Senior Scientist of Conservation International
Dr. M. Sanjayan, Executive Vice President and senior scientist at Conservation International, is a leading global conservation scientist, writer and an Emmy-nominated news contributor focused on the role of conservation in improving human well-being, wildlife and the environment. He serves on CI’s senior leadership team, overseeing the organization’s Development, News and Publicity and Marketing and Branding strategies. Sanjayan’s next TV series, Earth – A New Wild, will air on PBS in February 2015. Filmed in 29 countries on six continents and produced by National Geographic and Passion Pictures, the series examines how humans are inextricably linked with nature. He also was the science correspondent for Years of Living Dangerously, a ten-episode Showtime docu-series event on climate change which recently won the 2014 Emmy for Outstanding Documentary. Until recently, Sanjayan served as the Lead Scientist for The Nature Conservancy, where he spent 16 years specializing in development and conservation strategies, focusing on Africa, wildlife ecology and media outreach as their lead scientist and messenger. He holds a masters from University of Oregon and a doctorate from the University of California, Santa Cruz. His scientific work has been published in journals including Science, Nature and Conservation Biology. Raised in Sri Lanka and Sierra Leone, Sanjayan’s unique background and expertise have also attracted mainstream media coverage in Vanity Fair, Men’s Journal, National Geographic Adventure, Afar, Outside and The New York Times. He frequently contributes to CBS News’ science and environment coverage and has additionally hosted documentaries for BBC and Discovery. Sanjayan is a sought after speaker on college and business campuses with recent appearances on stage at TED Global, International Women’s Forum, Aspen Environment Forum, Aspen Ideas Festival, Clinton Global Initiative, Google, and the Summit Series. Sanjayan’s television experience also includes hosting and contributing to numerous documentaries for Discovery Channel and the BBC and serving as a contributor to CBS News. His 2013 CBS Evening News report on elephant poaching in Kenya earned him an Emmy nomination in the investigative journalism category. Guest appearances include NBC’s Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, NBC Nightly News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and the BBC. Sanjayan is a Clinton Global Initiative Senior Advisor, a Catto Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a member of National Geographic Society’s Explorers Council, a distinguished group of top scientists, researchers and explorers who provide advice and counsel to the Society across disciplines and projects.
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About Conservation International, The Aspen Institute: Conservation International is a financially accountable and transparent organization that empowers societies to responsibly care for nature.
Scott Henderson
Vice President, Sustainable Landscapes & Seascapes Lead of Conservation International
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About Conservation International: Conservation International is a financially accountable and transparent organization that empowers societies to responsibly care for nature.
Leon Rajaobelina
Regional Vice President of Madagascar of Conservation International
Leon Rajaobelina has been managing CI’s Madagascar and Southwest Indian Ocean Islands Program since 1996. Leon’s long and distinguished career includes work in both the public sector and in the financial sector, in Madagascar as well as internationally. He has served as Alternate Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (1966-1972), Governor of the Central Bank of Madagascar (1973-1983), Ambassador to the United States (1983-1989), Minister of Finance (1989- 1991), and CEO of SONAPAR (1991-1994), a public investment company. He served as a member of Conservation International’s Board of Directors from 1989 to 1995. Leon played a leading role in the creation in February 2005 of the Madagascar Foundation for Protected Areas and Biodiversity of which he was Chairman until March 2011. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the African World Heritage Fund, headquartered in Johannesburg (RSA), whose mission is to support World Heritage Sites in Africa (natural and cultural). He is the co-chair of the Steering Committee of the Wealth Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services Initiative (WAVES) in Madagascar. Leon Rajaobelina holds a degree in Public Finance from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris, France.
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About Conservation International: Conservation International is a financially accountable and transparent organization that empowers societies to responsibly care for nature.
Lisa Famolare
Vice President, Amazonia of Conservation International
Lisa Famolare joined Conservation International as Vice President, Amazonia in 2011.
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About Conservation International: Conservation International is a financially accountable and transparent organization that empowers societies to responsibly care for nature.
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez
Vice President for Conservation Policy of Conservation International
Carlos Manuel leads the CI policy team by providing strategic direction and identifying key international and U.S. policy issues, organizations, and forums. He also leads CI’s engagement with the governments and leaders of select developing countries, developed countries, and leaders of many of the multilaterals, the UN system and other. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez is Vice President for Conservation Policy at CI. Before joining CI, Rodriquez was the Minister of Environment and Energy for the Republic of Costa Rica, where he was a pioneer in the development of payment for ecosystem services (PES).A lawyer, politician and, above all a conservationist, Rodriguez held various political posts in Costa Rica, including Director of the National Parks Service. He is also founder and Board member of many environmental NGOs in Costa Rica, in addition to several tropical research institutes. Rodriguez understands the political preconditions necessary for successful implementation of PES systems that benefit local communities. As the Minister of Environment, he managed to curb logging and deforestation trends to achieve a national net growth of forested areas through natural regeneration and reforestation. He is also internationally recognized for promoting the concept of identifying and capturing the economic value of standing forests within protected areas, private forests and Indian reserves. This approach provides local communities with economic incentives to act as stewards of nature’s bounty, providing an attractive alternative to selling mineral and timber rights for short-term gain. This strategy has helped Costa Rica conserve ecosystems that would likely have been pillaged for resources, and was among the policies that have allowed the country to become one of Central America’s strongest economies. Rodriguez was also a key player in the establishment of a multinational marine park — Las Baulas National Marine Park — and international efforts to eliminate bottom trawling and other unsustainable fishing practices. As a result of his passion and hard work, marine conservation is now being fully addressed for the first time in Costa Rica. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored as the first ever recipient of the Global Ocean Conservation Award in 2005.In 2006, Rodriguez received the first annual Conservation Leadership Award from the Virginia-based Blue Moon Fund in a ceremony at the Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington, D.C. The $150,000 award from the foundation recognized the significant advances made in both terrestrial and marine conservation during his years of service to the Costa Rican government. At CI, Rodriguez is responsible for providing strategic direction and identifying key international and U.S. policy issues, organizations, and forums in which to engage. He leads the CI policy team that informs and influences bilateral, multilateral and international policies impacting the nexus of human well-being, economic development, climate change, ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation. Rodriguez also leads CI’s engagement with the governments and leaders of select developing countries, developed countries, and leaders of many of the multilaterals, the UN system and other NGOs with the goal of influencing human well-being through biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management. Lastly, he helps to ensure the availability of funds to implement and sustain the changes brought about by such polices. Rodriguez also plays a critical role as CI’s worldwide ambassador and lead on developing an institutional strategy for PES. He has been implementing a global fundraising plan for such compensation and climate change mitigation. To achieve these results, he has been meeting with environment, development and other ministries in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe to explain opportunities to leverage funding and create the mechanisms required for implementing effective PES programs.
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About Conservation International: Conservation International is a financially accountable and transparent organization that empowers societies to responsibly care for nature.
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez
Vice President for Conservation Policy of Conservation International
Carlos Manuel leads the CI policy team by providing strategic direction and identifying key international and U.S. policy issues, organizations, and forums. He also leads CI’s engagement with the governments and leaders of select developing countries, developed countries, and leaders of many of the multilaterals, the UN system and other. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez is Vice President for Conservation Policy at CI. Before joining CI, Rodriquez was the Minister of Environment and Energy for the Republic of Costa Rica, where he was a pioneer in the development of payment for ecosystem services (PES).A lawyer, politician and, above all a conservationist, Rodriguez held various political posts in Costa Rica, including Director of the National Parks Service. He is also founder and Board member of many environmental NGOs in Costa Rica, in addition to several tropical research institutes. Rodriguez understands the political preconditions necessary for successful implementation of PES systems that benefit local communities. As the Minister of Environment, he managed to curb logging and deforestation trends to achieve a national net growth of forested areas through natural regeneration and reforestation. He is also internationally recognized for promoting the concept of identifying and capturing the economic value of standing forests within protected areas, private forests and Indian reserves. This approach provides local communities with economic incentives to act as stewards of nature’s bounty, providing an attractive alternative to selling mineral and timber rights for short-term gain. This strategy has helped Costa Rica conserve ecosystems that would likely have been pillaged for resources, and was among the policies that have allowed the country to become one of Central America’s strongest economies. Rodriguez was also a key player in the establishment of a multinational marine park — Las Baulas National Marine Park — and international efforts to eliminate bottom trawling and other unsustainable fishing practices. As a result of his passion and hard work, marine conservation is now being fully addressed for the first time in Costa Rica. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored as the first ever recipient of the Global Ocean Conservation Award in 2005.In 2006, Rodriguez received the first annual Conservation Leadership Award from the Virginia-based Blue Moon Fund in a ceremony at the Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington, D.C. The $150,000 award from the foundation recognized the significant advances made in both terrestrial and marine conservation during his years of service to the Costa Rican government. At CI, Rodriguez is responsible for providing strategic direction and identifying key international and U.S. policy issues, organizations, and forums in which to engage. He leads the CI policy team that informs and influences bilateral, multilateral and international policies impacting the nexus of human well-being, economic development, climate change, ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation. Rodriguez also leads CI’s engagement with the governments and leaders of select developing countries, developed countries, and leaders of many of the multilaterals, the UN system and other NGOs with the goal of influencing human well-being through biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management. Lastly, he helps to ensure the availability of funds to implement and sustain the changes brought about by such polices. Rodriguez also plays a critical role as CI’s worldwide ambassador and lead on developing an institutional strategy for PES. He has been implementing a global fundraising plan for such compensation and climate change mitigation. To achieve these results, he has been meeting with environment, development and other ministries in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe to explain opportunities to leverage funding and create the mechanisms required for implementing effective PES programs.
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About Conservation International: Conservation International is a financially accountable and transparent organization that empowers societies to responsibly care for nature.
Todd Craghead
Vice President, Revenue Cycle Organization of Intermountain Healthcare
Todd Craghead is the Vice President of the Revenue Cycle Organization with Intermountain Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading integrated healthcare systems. Craghead is responsible for creating and articulating a vision that is improving operations, realizing positive financial results, and leading Intermountain Healthcare to achieve “Best FOR the Nation” status in the revenue cycle. Todd has accountability for approximately 2,000 FTE’s who provide direct support to the 22 hospitals and more than 185 physician clinics in the areas of Patient Access, Health Information Management, Regional Business Office functions, Central AR Management, Cash Collections, Payer EDI and Central Appeals. Todd has over 24 years of healthcare experience in hospital, provider and payer arenas working as a Finance Executive and Healthcare consultant. Prior to his role in the Revenue Cycle, Todd was a key leader at Intermountain helping to lead the transformation and redesign of the Supply Chain Organization. Todd worked as a Finance leader at a large University Healthcare system, and then with a large Managed Care Organization prior to working with Ernst & Young as a leader in their healthcare consulting practice where he led engagements with large IDN’s, state and federal agencies, commercial payers, large hospitals, and a variety of provider groups. Todd has a BS degree in accounting (1984) from Utah State University in Logan, Utah.
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About Intermountain Healthcare: Intermountain Healthcare is a nonprofit health system.
Candace Kendle
Co-Founder & President of Read Aloud
Candace Kendle was the Co-Founder, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer at Kendle International Inc., a global clinical research organization that delivers a wide range of clinical development and clinical trial services to biopharmaceutical companies around the world. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, the company was acquired in 2011 by INC Research, LLC. Candace also is a founding Member and past Chairperson of the Association of Clinical Research Organizations and is recognized worldwide as a leader in the clinical research industry. Candace earned a Ph.D. in Pharmacy from the University of Cincinnati, then completed post-doctoral training at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of North Carolina School of Public Health in Chapel Hill. Prior to founding Kendle International, Candace held senior faculty positions at the University of North Carolina Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine; the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science and the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy. Candace is a Member of the Committee of 200, an organization of preeminent women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders, and serves as a mentor for the Fortune-U.S. State Department Global Women Leaders Mentoring Partnership. For more than 10 years, Candace has served on the H.J. Heinz Company Board of Directors, where she sits on the Audit and Management Development & Compensation Committees.
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About Read Aloud: Read Aloud is a non-profit organization that is working to make reading aloud every day for at least 15 minutes.
Michael Gray
Vice President of Technology of Thrive
Michael Gray is the Vice President of Technology at Thrive Networks. Michael has held several positions at Thrive including network engineer, consulting engineer, solutions manager, and Director of Network Operations. Prior to working at Thrive, Michael worked for a publicly traded biotechnology company that was acquired by one of the top five pharmaceuticals companies in the world. Michael now plays an integral role in hosted and managed services product management and development. Michael has a degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University. He also is a Kaseya Certified Master Administrator and a Sonicwall Network Security Advanced Administrator. He is also a member of various partner councils including Sonicwall’s VAR council.
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About Thrive: Thrive Networks is an outsourced IT provider with an outstanding record of success we have achieved for clients such as the Boston Celtics,.
Kevin J. Ellis
Vice President of Sales of Thrive
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About Thrive: Thrive Networks is an outsourced IT provider with an outstanding record of success we have achieved for clients such as the Boston Celtics,.
Foster Hardie
Vice President, Digital Platform Architecture of Thrive
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About Thrive: Thrive Networks is an outsourced IT provider with an outstanding record of success we have achieved for clients such as the Boston Celtics,.
John Dilthey
Vice President of Client Success of Thrive
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About Thrive, Thrive: Thrive Networks is an outsourced IT provider with an outstanding record of success we have achieved for clients such as the Boston Celtics,.
John Dilthey
Vice President of Client Success of Thrive
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About Thrive, Thrive: Thrive Networks is an outsourced IT provider with an outstanding record of success we have achieved for clients such as the Boston Celtics,.
Mitch Glazier
President of RIAA, Recording Industry Association of America
Mitch Glazier is President, Recording Industry Association of America. Glazier guides the industry’s strategic policy initiatives and helps coordinate the activities of the association. In his more than 10-year tenure at the RIAA, Glazier has helped manage a variety of initiatives that have played a vital role in the music industry’s transition to the digital age. This includes the 2008 PRO-IP Act, which established the country’s first Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator in the Executive Office of the President, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, which provided colleges and universities with meaningful tools to reduce the illegal downloading of copyrighted works on college campuses. Before joining RIAA, Glazier served as Chief Counsel for intellectual property to the Judiciary Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. A native of Illinois, Glazier served as law clerk to the Honorable Judge Wayne R. Andersen, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and practiced law at the Chicago firm Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg as an associate in commercial litigation. He graduated from Northwestern University and Vanderbilt Law School. Glazier serves on the boards of Musicians on Call, the American Association of People with Disabilities, and the Internet Education Foundation.
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About RIAA, Recording Industry Association of America, RIAA, Recording Industry Association of America: Recording Industry Association Of America is a trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry.
Thomas Priselac
CEO & President & Board of Directors of Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Thomas Priselac is President & CEO at Cedars-Sinai. An advocate for improving quality and access in healthcare, Thomas M. Priselac has developed strategic and operational innovations to foster high-quality, safe and efficient care for patients. Under his leadership, Cedars-Sinai has earned an international reputation for quality care, community service, research and education while evolving from a community hospital to a major health system that continues to expand to better serve patients. Priselac, who holds the Warschaw Law Chair in Healthcare Leadership at Cedars-Sinai, first joined Cedars-Sinai in 1979, and has been president and CEO since 1994. Before being appointed to his current role, he was executive vice president of Cedars-Sinai from 1988 to 1993. Earlier in his career, he was on the executive staff of Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh. An authority on healthcare delivery and policy, Priselac is a past chair of the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees and a past chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges. When he was chair of the American Hospital Association in 2009, he had an instrumental role in the development of Affordable Care Act. He also formerly chaired the California Hospital Association and the Hospital Association of Southern California. He is a member of the Board of Councilors of the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Civic Alliance, the Los Angeles Coalition for the Economy and Jobs, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation and he Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Priselac has received numerous awards for his leadership in healthcare and his commitment to improving the health of the underserved, including the American Hospital Association’s Distinguished Service Award, B’nai Brith International’s National Healthcare Award, the Special Needs Network’s Distinguished Community Champion Corporate Leadership Award and the Charles R. Drew University Board of Trustees Medal of Honor. Priselac writes and speaks on a variety of policy issues related to the delivery and financing of healthcare, healthcare quality and safety, and the adoption and implementation of information technology. He is an adjunct professor at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, where he teaches principles of organizational leadership. Priselac earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in public health, health services administration and planning from the University of Pittsburgh.
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About Cedars Sinai Medical Center: Cedars-Sinai is a non-profit, academic, community-centric medical center in Los Angeles, California.
Thomas Gordon
Consultant to the President of Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Chairman of the Board at DSL Construction Corp.
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About Cedars Sinai Medical Center: Cedars-Sinai is a non-profit, academic, community-centric medical center in Los Angeles, California.
Linda Bolton
Senior Vice President & Chief Health Equity Officer of Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Dr. Linda Burnes Bolton is Vice President for Nursing, Chief Nursing Officer, and Director of Nursing Research at Cedars-Sinai. Her research, teaching and clinical expertise includes: nursing and patient care outcomes, improving organization performance, quality care, and cultural diversity within the health professions. She is co-investigator of the regional Collaborative Alliance for Nursing Outcomes research team. Dr. Burnes Bolton is a past president of the American Academy of Nursing and the National Black Nurses Association. She has provided leadership for several state and national programs including service as chair of the National Advisory committee of Transforming Care at the Bedside, Veteran Affairs Commission on Nursing and vice chair of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing at the Institute of Medicine. She is a trustee at Case Western Reserve University and a board member of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She was named one of the top 25 women in health care in 2011 by Modern Healthcare magazine. Dr. Burnes Bolton serves on the American Organization of Nurse Executive Board of Directors and will assume the role of President-Elect in 2014. Dr. Burnes Bolton earned her bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing from Arizona State University (ASU). She completed her master’s of Science degree in Nursing, Master in Public Health, and Doctorate in Public Health from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
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About American Academy of Nursing, Cedars Sinai Medical Center: Cedars-Sinai is a non-profit, academic, community-centric medical center in Los Angeles, California.
Shlomo Melmed
Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs & Dean of the Medical Faculty of Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Shlomo Melmed, MB ChB, MACP, FRCP received his medical degree with distinction from the University of Cape Town, School of Medicine in 1970. At Cedars-Sinai since 1980, he is now Senior Vice-President for Academic Affairs, and Dean of the Medical Faculty. He is also Professor and Associate Dean of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine, and Director of the Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He holds the Helene A. And Philip E. Hixon Chair in Investigative Medicine. Dr. Melmed is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, certified in Endocrinology and Metabolism; a Master of the American College of Physicians; an elected member of the Association of American Physicians and the American Society of Clinical Investigation; recipient of the Endocrinology Medal of the Royal Society of Medicine; the Endocrine Society Clinical Investigator Award; the Society of Endocrinology Transatlantic Medal; Ipsen Fondation Endocrine Regulation Award; the Pituitary Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award; and is listed in BEST Doctors of America. Dr. Melmed’s laboratory has been consistently funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 1980, and he has trained over 70 physicians, scientists and graduate students who occupy leading positions in academic endocrinology worldwide. His research is devoted to molecular pathogenesis and treatment of pituitary tumors and growth factor regulation of anterior pituitary function. He has pioneered the discovery and application of novel treatments for endocrine tumors and is a recognized international authority on pituitary medicine. Dr. Melmed is acknowledged as a plenary speaker at multiple national and international meetings and is the author of over 300 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious publications. He edits The Pituitary, co-edits Endocrinology: Basic and Clinical Principles, is the Neuroendocrine Section Editor for DeGroot and Jameson’s Textbook of Endocrinology, and Williams Textbook of Endocrinology; and is pituitary section author for Harrison’s Textbook of Medicine. In addition to being the Editor-in-Chief of Pituitary, he is on the editorial board of Journal of Clinical Investigation and past Editor-in-Chief of Endocrinology. Having served on the NIH Endocrinology Study Section, he also has chaired Special Endocrine Study Sections. He was President and founding member of the Pituitary Society, co-chairs its Program Committee, and was an elected member of the Endocrine Society Council. He was President of the International Society of Endocrinology and a member of the Executive Board Committee, Program Chair of the International Congress of Endocrinology, a Director of the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP), and is a Board Member of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). At Cedars-Sinai, Dr. Melmed has spearheaded major academic growth and development by leading building efforts, recruiting talented nationally recognized faculty leadership, establishing new programs and maintaining standards of excellence for educational programs. His executive leadership continues to maintain Cedars-Sinai as a top tier academic medical center.
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About Cedars Sinai Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles: Cedars-Sinai is a non-profit, academic, community-centric medical center in Los Angeles, California.
Mike Thompson
Vice President, Enterprise Data Intelligence of Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Vice President, Enterprise Data Intelligence at Cedars-Sinai.
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About Cedars Sinai Medical Center: Cedars-Sinai is a non-profit, academic, community-centric medical center in Los Angeles, California.
Richard Jacobs
Senior Vice President of System Development & Chief Strategy Officer of Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Richard B. Jacobs is Senior Vice President of System Development & Chief Strategy Officer at Cedars-Sinai.
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About Cedars Sinai Medical Center: Cedars-Sinai is a non-profit, academic, community-centric medical center in Los Angeles, California.
Jeanne Flores
Senior Vice President of Human Resources & Organization Development of Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Jeanne Flores is Senior Vice President of Human Resources & Organization Development at Cedars-Sinai.
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About Cedars Sinai Medical Center: Cedars-Sinai is a non-profit, academic, community-centric medical center in Los Angeles, California.
Bidyut Parruck
President of Iit Startups
Co-founder at Viblio
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About Iit Startups: IIT Startups provides free mentoring, coaching, and workshops to entrepreneurs to help them scale their companies.
Andrew Purtell
Vice President, Apache Bigtop of The Apache Software Foundation
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About The Apache Software Foundation: Apache Software Foundation provides organizational, legal and financial support for Apache open-source software projects.
Jim Jagielski
Vice Chairman/Member/Co-Founder/Director/Ex-President/Ex-Chairman/Ex-EVP of The Apache Software Foundation
Jim Jagielski is the Open Source Program Office at Salesforce.
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About Salesforce, The Apache Software Foundation: Apache Software Foundation provides organizational, legal and financial support for Apache open-source software projects.
Andrew Weiss
Vice President for Studies of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Andrew S. Weiss is vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he oversees research in Washington and Moscow on Russia and Eurasia. Prior to joining Carnegie, he was director of the RAND Corporation’s Center for Russia and Eurasia and executive director of the RAND Business Leaders Forum. Weiss’s career has spanned both the public and private sectors. He previously served as director for Russian, Ukrainian, and Eurasian Affairs on the National Security Council staff, as a member of the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff, and as a policy assistant in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy during the administrations of Presidents Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush. Before joining RAND, Weiss was a vice president and investment strategist at American International Group, Inc. subsidiary companies, where he worked primarily on global commodities, energy, and foreign exchange markets.
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About Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and more.
George Perkovich
Vice President for Studies of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
George Perkovich is vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He works primarily on nuclear strategy and nonproliferation issues, and on South Asian security. Perkovich is the author of the prize-winning book, India’s Nuclear Bomb (University of California Press, 1999), which Foreign Affairs called “an extraordinary and perhaps definitive account of 50 years of Indian nuclear policymaking.” Perkovich is co-author with James Acton of the 2008 Adelphi Paper, Abolishing Nuclear Weapons, and co-editor of the subsequent book, Abolishing Nuclear Weapons: A Debate. His writing has appeared in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the Atlantic Monthly, the Weekly Standard, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and other publications. His essay in Foreign Affairs, “Giving Justice Its Due,” reflects ongoing work on the challenge of justice in international relations. On Iran and South Asian security affairs, he has advised many agencies of the U.S. government, and testified before both houses of Congress. Perkovich served as a speechwriter and foreign policy adviser to Senator Joe Biden (D-Del.) from 1989-90.
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About Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and more.
Douglas Paal
Vice President for Studies of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Douglas H. Paal is vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He previously served as vice chairman of JPMorgan Chase International (2006–2008) and was an unofficial U.S. representative to Taiwan as director of the American Institute in Taiwan (2002–2006). He was on the National Security Council staffs of Presidents Reagan and George H. W. Bush between 1986 and 1993 as director of Asian Affairs and then as senior director and special assistant to the president. Paal held positions in the policy planning staff at the State Department, as a senior analyst for the CIA, and at U.S. embassies in Singapore and Beijing. He has spoken and published frequently on Asian affairs and national security issues.
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About Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and more.
Marwan Muasher
Vice President for Studies of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Marwan Muasher is vice president for studies at Carnegie, where he oversees research in Washington and Beirut on the Middle East. Muasher served as foreign minister (2002–2004) and deputy prime minister (2004–2005) of Jordan, and his career has spanned the areas of diplomacy, development, civil society, and communications. Muasher began his career as a journalist for the Jordan Times. He then served at the Ministry of Planning, at the prime minister’s office as press adviser, and as director of the Jordan Information Bureau in Washington. In 1995, Muasher opened Jordan’s first embassy in Israel, and in 1996 he became minister of information and the government spokesperson. From 1997 to 2002, he served in Washington again as ambassador, negotiating the first free-trade agreement between the United States and an Arab nation. He then returned to Jordan to serve as foreign minister, where he played a central role in developing the Arab Peace Initiative and the Middle East roadmap. In 2004, he became deputy prime minister responsible for reform and government performance and led the effort to produce a ten-year plan for political, economic, and social reform. From 2006 to 2007, he was a member of the Jordanian Senate.
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About Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and more.
Tobin Richardson
CEO & President of Zigbee Alliance
Tobin J. M. Richardson serves as President and CEO of the ZigBee Alliance, leading the Alliance’s efforts to develop and promote world-leading open, global IoT standards. In this role, he works closely with the Alliance Board of Directors to set strategy and to advance the adoption of ZigBee standards around the globe. Tobin has two decades of experience in strategic leadership and marketing for technology firms and organizations. His experience spans large-scale technology implementations, new service and product rollouts, and transformational change in Fortune 500 companies and world-leading organizations. He currently serves in a number of industry leadership roles, including Co-Chair of NAESB’s Energy Usage Information standard committee, and participates actively on NEMA’s Smart Grid Task Force and the CEA’s Smart Grid Working Group. He holds a Master’s degree from Georgetown University, and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis.
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About Zigbee Alliance: Zigbee Alliance is the foundation and future of the IoT.
Clinton O’Brien
President & Chief Operating Officer of Engaging Networks
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About Engaging Networks: Engaging Networks is the technology used by many of the world’s leading charities to power their digital strategies.
Edwin Oley
CEO, Mercy Health – Lorain & Senior Vice President, Mercy Health of Mercy Health
Edwin Oley has been chief executive officer of the Lorain Region for nine years. Prior to that, he was the CEO of Oberlin Medical Center. He has also served on the executive management team of the newly merged St. Joseph and Lorain Community Hospitals. Oley has a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from Ohio Northern University’s College of Pharmacy. He is very active in the community and has served as the chair of the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce and as a trustee on the boards of CommStar Credit Union and the Lorain County Community College Foundation. Oley was recognized by the American Red Cross as its 2012 Community Hero and by the Boy Scouts of America as their 2016 Distinguished Citizen Award honoree.
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About Mercy Health: Mercy Health is a mission-driven, integrated healthcare organization.
Donald Kline
President & CEO of Mercy Health
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About Bon Secours Mercy Health, Mercy Health: Mercy Health is a mission-driven, integrated healthcare organization.
Robert Baxter
President and CEO, Mercy Health – Lima and Toledo Regions of Mercy Health
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About Mercy Health: Mercy Health is a mission-driven, integrated healthcare organization.
Staci Lucius
President, Mercy Health Physicians of Mercy Health
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About Bon Secours Mercy Health, Mercy Health: Mercy Health is a mission-driven, integrated healthcare organization.
Father Joseph Cardone
Chief Mission Officer, Senior Vice President, Mission and Values Integration of Mercy Health
As the chief mission officer and senior vice president of Mission and Values Integration, Father Joseph Cardone leads Mercy Health’s initiatives to extend understanding about the organization’s Catholic heritage and identity among Mercy Health associates, leaders and board members. Previously, Fr. Cardone served as the vice president of Mission and Value Integration for Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center and Mercy Health – Children’s Hospital in Toledo. He also served within the Diocese of Toledo as the pastor for Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. His 17 years with Mercy Health Includes leading a variety of regional efforts addressing ethics, neighborhood revitalization, development of sacred spaces in Toledo region facilities and spiritual care education and accreditation. He holds a doctor of philosophy in moral theology from St. Louis University and a master’s degree from the Athenaeum of Ohio, Cincinnati. He graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and teaching. He was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Toledo in 1987.
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About Mercy Health: Mercy Health is a mission-driven, integrated healthcare organization.
