Renée James is the founder and former chair and CEO of Portland-based Ampere Computing, a semiconductor company which she sold in late 2025 to Softbank. Previously, she held a variety of leadership positions at Intel Corporation during her 28-year tenure, including serving as president of the company. James has developed extensive expertise in cybersecurity and emerging technologies such as AI. James has deep ties to the local and state community and was tapped by Governor Kotek to co-chair the Oregon Prosperity Council to accelerate Oregon's economy. She holds a BA and MBA from the University of Oregon. 

Melissa Scholz is a nonprofit attorney, community leader, and founder of Scholz Nonprofit Law. With over 30 years of experience, she has represented more than 500 organizations and served on numerous boards and committees, offering deep expertise in nonprofit legal matters. Scholz is married to UO President Karl Scholz. 

Karl Scholz, nineteenth UO President, is an internationally acclaimed economist, higher education leader, and professor. Prior to the UO, he served as the provost and dean at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Scholz also served in two presidential administrations. From 1990 to 1991 he was a senior staff economist at the Council of Economic Advisors, and from 1997 to 1998 he served as deputy assistant secretary for tax analysis at the US Department of the Treasury. 

Wesley Ellison Stewart serves as the Senior Associate Vice President for Development at the University of Oregon, where she leads comprehensive fundraising for all schools and units, central development programs, and regional philanthropy. With 17 years of experience as a national leader in successful higher education and athletics fundraising, advancing women in the industry, and creating inclusive and diverse workplaces. She has successfully served in previous roles at the University of Texas, University of Michigan, and University of Virginia. She also consults with university advancement & collegiate athletics departments to build infrastructure and training programs that promote inclusive, positive, and supportive organizational cultures. She graduated summa cum laude in 2008 with a degree in fine arts from the University of Michigan while earning Big Ten All-Academic honors as a member of the Wolverines’ water polo team. She completed her master’s degree in intercollegiate athletic leadership from the University of Washington in 2009.   

Dr. Sarah Kate Bearman, professor at the University of Oregon’s Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health, oversees the clinical training for the Child Behavioral Health major. She is also the director of the Laboratory for Leveraging Evidence and Advancing Practice for Youth Mental Health (LEAP Lab), which focuses on developing and testing effective, accessible mental health interventions for youth in resource-limited settings. Dr. Bearman is co-author of a mental health treatment manual for common childhood mental health challenges and delivers training and consultation to providers nationwide. 

Julia Boboc ’26 is an award-winning audio storyteller and a fourth-year student in the School of Journalism and Communication and the Clark Honors College. A former intern and now reporting fellow at NPR’s affiliate KLCC, she also hosts and produces the SOJC’s One Cool Story podcast. 

Maggie Byrne is a dynamic entrepreneur and tech leader passionate about AI, student innovation, and early-stage startups. She leads the Artificial Intelligence Student Association, runs Campus GTM, and invests through Newlin Ventures. Byrne blends strategic vision with hands-on execution, empowering communities, mentoring emerging leaders, and driving impact across education and business. 

Jess Drummond, a former Oregon lacrosse standout midfielder (2009–2012), became the first alumna to lead the Ducks as head coach in 2023. She revitalized the program with multiple home victories and player development, building on her success at Vermont and Dartmouth with an emphasis on strong defense and player growth. 

Serving as the Phyllis and Andrew Berwick Dean and Professor of Dance at the University of Oregon, Sabrina Madison-Cannon is a former Philadanco soloist and internationally recognized choreographer. Trained at the National Academy of Arts and Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, she unites performance and research to elevate dance education on a global scale. 

David McCormick's research focuses on the mind and brain. A mindfulness meditation teacher and former residential fellow, he values student engagement and balanced living. Drawn by Oregon’s strong neuroscience community, he encourages students to explore widely while prioritizing well-being. McCormick earned bachelor's degrees in mathematics and psychology from Purdue University and a doctorate in neuroscience from Stanford University. 

Dr. Kylie Williams is an Oregon native and the first graduate of the University of Oregon’s Knight Campus Bioengineering PhD program. A pioneering scholar and the inaugural Chris Lee Innovation Fellow, she developed implantable sensors to improve bone injury recovery. As clinical engineering director at Penderia Technologies, she is leading efforts to bring this breakthrough technology to clinical practice.