I was the founding president of JSTOR (1995) and ITHAKA (2004) and now lead ITHAKA in its mission to extend access to knowledge and education through several important services at the intersection of technology and higher education, including JSTOR, Artstor, Portico and Ithaka S+R.
Previously I co-founded a software development start-up that provided data analysis for college and professional football teams, and then worked at The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, where I wrote "The New-York Historical Society: Lessons from One Nonprofit's Long Struggle for Survival" (Jossey Bass).
I serve on several nonprofit advisory committees and boards in addition to the Keller Center, including the Educational Testing Service, LYRASIS, and Media Source, Inc.
What attracted you to the Keller Center?
When I attended Princeton in the 1980s, the idea that you might go and start up a company was highly unusual, and definitely not something encouraged by society or the university. I was therefore very intrigued by the idea that the University had a center that was helping to stimulate and nurture the kind of skills, energy, and sense of adventure that is required to be an entrepreneur. Having now seen the work that the Keller Center does, and experienced the way the world has changed and is changing, the vision that launched the Keller Center more than a decade ago has been fully validated. The need keeps growing!
What do you appreciate most about the Keller Center?
I appreciate that the Keller Center encourages students to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, and gives them the freedom to fail safely. It is also fantastic that the Center helps the build fundamental skills, like design thinking, that are building blocks to the kind of successful iteration, creativity, and continuous learning that are at the heart of building organizational sustainability.
What advice would you have for students about getting involved at the Keller Center?
My advice to students is, if you have a vision for something you would like to build, or some change you would like to see realized, come to the Keller Center and ask for help. Dive in. Whether you realize your dream or not, you will learn something that will benefit you in the future!