That’s why we're excited to share important updates to our Board of Directors and Operating Board—changes that position us for the future and reinforce our commitment to unlocking economic opportunity at scale.
Zac Smith has been a dedicated Pursuit leader and supporter for years—first as a volunteer, then as an employer hiring Fellows, a donor and investor, and most recently as Chair of our Operating Board since 2020.
Now, he takes on a new leadership role as a Board member. A pioneer in digital infrastructure and cloud computing, Zac co-founded Packet and has spent his career building and scaling tech-driven solutions. His continued leadership reflects his deep commitment to Pursuit’s mission.
Chris Kellen, a dedicated philanthropist and Director of the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, also joins our Board. He serves on the boards of Bank Street College of Education, the American Museum of Natural History, the New York Philharmonic, and Columbia Business School’s Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change. His passion for social impact makes him a valuable addition to our mission.
The Operating Board is led by business and tech leaders who help unlock resources for Pursuit by supporting Fellows in launching tech careers and strengthening employer partnerships. Under its revised mandate, the OpBoard will prioritize expanding job opportunities for Fellows and deepening engagement with hiring partners.
A transformational leader in finance, Ritambhara is currently a Managing Director at JP Morgan, where she is the Chief Commercial Officer of the firm’s Wealth Management Advisory Solutions group. Previously, she was a Partner at Bridgewater Associates and co-head of the Gate Fund. Her leadership will be invaluable as we deepen employer engagement and drive long-term outcomes for our community.
We are immensely grateful to Mike Borofsky, Alan Jones, and Stu Spodek, who are stepping down after years of dedicated service. Their belief in Pursuit, guidance through critical moments, and commitment to our mission have been instrumental in our success. We deeply appreciate their contributions and look forward to continuing to build on the foundation they helped create.
These leadership updates come at a pivotal moment for Pursuit as we develop our AI strategy, double down on employer engagement, and navigate a rapidly changing workforce landscape.
With this new leadership team, we are better positioned than ever to drive meaningful impact, scale our programs, and create real economic transformation.
Please join us in welcoming Zac, Chris, and Ritambhara to their new roles. We’re excited for what’s ahead!
