News New Griffiths Center Advisory Council to Support Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship Education

April 19, 2023

To further Hartwick’s efforts to create a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at the College, the Griffiths Center for Collaboration and Innovation Hartwick College Logo (GCCI) has assembled an esteemed group of innovation thought leaders from around the world to serve as advisors and counselors.

Serving in leadership positions at prominent businesses and organizations across the globe, this diverse group of experienced professionals – many of whom are Hartwick alumni – will advise GCCI on program development and experiences while providing thought leadership in the evolving field of social innovation and entrepreneurship education.

Membership of the council’s inaugural cohort includes:

Christopher Belknap ’03 CEO, Resilient Biotics, Geneva, Switzerland
Andrea Calvin, Vice President, FableVision Learning, Boston, MA
Carol Ann Coughlin ’86. Co-Owner & Head of Marketing, Taconic Distilling, Stanfordville, NY
Keith Granet ’79, CEO, Studio Designer, Los Angeles, CA
Sarah “Sally” Griffiths Herbert ‘88, H ’19, Hartwick College Trustee, Plainfield, NH
Chad Hall, Co-Founder & SVP, Ioxus, Oneonta, NY
Jeff Katz, Executive Director, Community Foundation of Otsego County, Cooperstown, NY
Meghan Luce ’14, Lead Design Strategist, Giant Machines, New York, NY
Jackson Maloney ’16, Founder, Erythron Mechanics, Oneonta, NY
Daniel Marsh, III ’74, President & CEO, National Development Corporation, New York, NY
Danielle McMullen, Chief of Staff, SUNY Oneonta, Oneonta, NY
Charles A. Riley II, PH.D., Director, Nassau County Museum of Art, Hamptons, NY
Phoebe Schreiner, Executive Director, Center for Agricultural, Development & Entrepreneurship, Oneonta, NY
Manos Spanos ’97, Chief Business Officer, Meta Materials, White Plains, NY

“We are thrilled to bring together such a distinguished group of leaders,” said Michael Walsh, director of the GCCI. “Their guidance and support will help shape GCCI’s work in connecting the expertise of Hartwick’s faculty and students with the needs of the local and global community. In tackling real-world challenges such as sustainable agriculture, food insecurity, and carbon emissions, the GCCI and the advisory council will hone in on the social aspect of innovation, which will serve as a key differentiator for Hartwick’s efforts.”

In addition to collaborating on projects, events and summits that will help shape the future of innovation education, the council will also provide direction for Hartwick’s efforts via advocacy support. The council has already been hard at work on two new initiatives: the Silicon Valley Experience and the launch of the College’s Leaders in Social Innovation program.

Keith Granet ’79, a member of the council, is looking forward to supporting the work of the College in providing interactive learning opportunities and inspiring students to think beyond the campus at Hartwick.

“The College should be a place where students are inspired and are thinking differently about the world and the learning they receive at Hartwick,” said Granet. “We need a new way to engage students in their experience and this council can be a catalyst.”

Questions about the council can be directed to Michael Walsh at walshm@hartwick.edu or 607-431-4009.

For more information about the council members and their backgrounds, visit the GCCI website.