Three science and technology leaders elected to Hertz Foundation Board of Directors

(Press-News.org) The Hertz Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing American scientific and technological leadership, today announced the election of three new members to its board of directors: Hertz Fellow Kevin Bowers, chief science officer and head of research and development, Jump Trading; Sri Kosaraju, former chief executive officer, Inscripta; and Hertz Fellow Jordan Chetty, software engineer, Citadel, as an early-career member. 

The new board members bring a remarkable breadth of experience and accomplishment across critical sectors, including national security, biotechnology and finance. At the same time, they share an unwavering commitment to applying science and technology to the most pressing challenges facing the nation and the world.

“As we continue to enhance our capacity to drive scientific progress and innovation amid rapid global change, the significance of our mission has never been greater,” said Stephen Fantone, chair of the Hertz Foundation Board of Directors. “We’re delighted to welcome these new board members, whose breadth of expertise, professional backgrounds and viewpoints will strengthen the foundation’s leadership. Each shares a deep commitment to our purpose, and their engagement will help extend the foundation’s reach and amplify its impact.”

The Hertz Fellowship is the nation’s most competitive doctoral fellowship in the applied sciences, engineering and mathematics. Awarded through a rigorous selection process honed over eight decades, Hertz Fellows receive up to five years of funding — providing the rare freedom to pursue bold ideas and a community of influential peers dedicated to their success.

Bowers and Chetty were beneficiaries of Hertz Fellowships themselves and bring distinct insight into the fellowship experience.

“The newly appointed directors are a distinguished group, with careers that reflect the high caliber and diverse trajectory of the talent we champion,” said Wendy Connors, president of the Hertz Foundation. “Their unique backgrounds give them essential insight to strategically guide our efforts and accelerate the development of the nation’s future scientific leaders.”

In its ambitious strategic plan, the Hertz Foundation board has identified key goals of offering 25 Hertz Fellowships annually; expanded mentorship, networking and professional development for Hertz Fellows at every career stage; ensuring the brightest technical talent from all backgrounds view Hertz as a path forward; and strengthening partnerships with like-minded science, technology and philanthropic organizations. To catalyze toward these goals, the board recently announced the MAKE HISTORY campaign — the organization’s first-ever capital campaign aimed at raising $40 million of support. 

The new board members will play an instrumental role in achieving these goals through oversight roles, identifying partnership connections, and deepening engagement with the influential network of 1,305 Hertz Fellows. Across eight decades, Hertz Fellows have built companies, pioneered new fields and developed technologies that touch nearly every aspect of modern life.

The new board members begin their terms this month at the Hertz Foundation Board of Directors meeting in Seattle.

Meet the New Hertz Foundation Board Members Kevin Bowers is chief science officer and head of research and development at Jump Trading, a proprietary global trading firm specializing in algorithmic and high-frequency trading strategies. Bowers earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Purdue University. As a Hertz Fellow, he earned his Master of Science and Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of California, Berkeley. Q&A with Kevin Bowers

Sri Kosaraju is the former chief executive officer at Inscripta, and currently serves as audit chair and board member at 10x Genomics, supporting advancements in life science technology. He also sits on the board at Manus Bio, contributing to the acceleration of biologically produced alternatives. Previously, he was a board member at Nevro until its acquisition by Globus. He also served as president and chief financial officer at Penumbra, Inc., and as managing director at J.P. Morgan, where he led the Healthcare and TMT Equity Capital Markets divisions. Kosaraju earned a bachelor of science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Q&A with Sri Kosaraju

Jordan Chetty recently joined global investment firm Citadel as software engineer. Driven by boundless curiosity, his career so far has ranged from his own startup to large-scale systems at Meta. As a Hertz Fellow, Chetty earned his PhD in electrical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, where he specialized in the fabrication of neural interfaces, devices that enable the study and modulation of brain activity. Q&A with Jordan Chetty

About the Hertz Foundation The Hertz Foundation is the nation’s preeminent nonprofit organization committed to advancing American scientific and technological leadership. For more than 60 years, it has stood as an unwavering pillar of independent support through the renowned Hertz Fellowship, cultivating a multidisciplinary network of innovators whose work has positively impacted millions of lives. Learn more at hertzfoundation.org.

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