In this panel, anchor partners of the Cleveland Innovation District (CID) presented their vision and programs to develop the CID, resources committed and needed for full implementation, timeline and milestones, aspirational partnerships and resources, and current and future challenges. This rare opportunity to watch the CID anchors interact illustrated the spirit of cooperation and regional pride that guides the work set forth by these organizations.
Speakers
Joanne Belovich – Director, CSU-Cleveland Innovation District
Joanne M. Belovich, Ph.D., is a professor of chemical and biomedical engineering at Cleveland State University and director of the Cleveland Innovation District program at CSU. She received her Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan and her B.S. in chemical engineering and biomedical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. She joined CSU in 1991 as an assistant professor and has taught classes at both undergraduate and graduate levels in chemical, biochemical, and biomedical engineering. Her research specialties are in transport in biomedical systems and in algae bioprocesses for biofuel. Her research has been cited over 1300 times.
Kipum Lee – Vice President, Innovation and Product Strategies, University Hospitals
Kip is a designer, scholar, and executive at UH Ventures, the innovation and commercialization arm of University Hospitals. He manages an innovation portfolio that supports University Hospitals’ strategic initiatives and partnerships through product innovation and human-centered design. In this “living lab” model, the most promising opportunities are cultivated and positioned for system-wide adoption, commercialization support, and investment consideration. Kip graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in biomedical science from the University of Pennsylvania, master’s degree in interaction design from Carnegie Mellon University, and a PhD in management from Case Western Reserve University. He serves on the editorial board of the design and innovation journal, Design Issues, published by MIT Press.
Serpil Erzurum – Chief Research and Academic Officer, Cleveland Clinic
Serpil Erzurum, MD, was named Chief Research and Academic Officer of Cleveland Clinic in 2020, representing an expansion of her prior role as Chair of the Lerner Research Institute, which she held since 2016. In her new role, Dr. Erzurum focuses on strategic growth of enterprise-wide medical and scientific education programs; clinical, basic and translational research; and technology development to deliver the most innovative care to patients.
Joe Jankowski – Chief Innovation Officer, Case Western Reserve University
Joe Jankowski, Ph.D. has spent nearly 19 years with Case Western Reserve University, and has served as the university’s Chief Innovation Officer for the past 9 years. He has expertise in industrial marketing and corporate partnering, with special focus on technology-based commercialization and entrepreneurship, including opportunity analysis, intellectual property portfolio creation and analysis, and mergers, acquisitions and deal structuring. He received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from SUNY as well as an MBA from Case Western University.
Julie Jacono - EVP, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, The MetroHealth System
Julie Jacono, MBA, is the Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer of The MetroHealth System. In this role, she oversees the business strategy and development, innovation, performance improvement and market intelligence of MetroHealth. Jacono joined The MetroHealth System in September 2012. She has held numerous leadership roles including Vice President, Strategic Operations; Executive Director of Ambulatory Operations; and Director of Strategy & Business Development.
Jacono received a bachelor’s degree from the School of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and an MBA from CWRU’s Weatherhead School of Management. She is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program. In addition to her role within MetroHealth, Jacono is the Chair of the VNA of Ohio Board, a Board member for Spry Senior and Lumina Imaging & Diagnostics.
Moderators
Bill Koehler – Chief Executive Officer, Team NEO
As Chief Executive Officer of Team NEO, Bill Koehler is focused on seeing the Northeast Ohio Region grow and thrive with the support of a strong, aligned economic development community. Bill applies more than seven years of experience in regional economic development and twenty-five years of experience in financial services as he collaborates with partners to attract new business and accelerate the impact of innovation in the region.
Under Bill’s leadership, Team NEO is enhancing Northeast Ohio’s economic vibrancy and working to ensure equal access to prosperity through four strategies focused on supply chain resilience, talent development, site preparedness, and promotion of the region.
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