Cone named Interim Vice Chancellor of Commercialization and Economic Development
In this newly created position, Cone will drive Carolina’s commitment to translate University research and ideas into practical benefit for society while enhancing economic prosperity in North Carolina and beyond.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has named Judith Cone, current special assistant to the chancellor and interim director of the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, as interim vice chancellor of commercialization and economic development. In this newly created position, Cone will drive Carolina’s commitment to translate University research and ideas into practical benefit for society while enhancing economic prosperity in North Carolina and beyond.
Since joining the University in 2009, Cone has been instrumental in strengthening a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across campus by accelerating innovation programs already in place as well as creating new programs. She has also been a critical part of building collaborations in the region. Cone formed a coalition among Duke University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Council for Entrepreneurial Development to develop the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network, which is a group of successful entrepreneurs who assist next-generation growth companies. Cone served on N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory’s Innovation-to-Jobs Working Group and helped supercharge the University’s innovation and commercialization by supporting those who translate their ideas into practical solutions, especially when targeting the most pressing challenges of our time.
“Commercializing university intellectual property is one of my highest priorities. This represents an area of exciting opportunity for Carolina, and we have put significant effort behind finding the best ways to maximize our potential in this arena,” said Chancellor Carol L. Folt. “The new vice chancellor position is critical toward making progress in this area. I am confident that Judith’s business background, experience in the region and entrepreneurial spirit will enable her to serve as a nexus for commercialization and economic development activities on the campus.”
Creation of this position stemmed from a campus-wide, comprehensive five-year review on commercialization and industry relations, and is strongly endorsed by the Board of Trustees’ Innovation and Impact Committee. Cone has moved this commitment to commercialization forward through her work as special assistant to the chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship. Her new position allows for a singular focus on commercialization and economic development and provides opportunities to hire seasoned experts in building strategic partnerships and in sales and marketing of University intellectual property.
“We have a huge opportunity to create more social and economic value for the state and the nation by capitalizing on the nearly $800 million in research dollars brought in by UNC-Chapel Hill researchers,” said Cone. “I look forward to harnessing the talent, resources and potential that exists on this campus – which is truly unbounded – as we continue providing exceptional benefit to this community and to North Carolina.”
Carolina faculty and researchers are national and international leaders in many critical areas, including a cure for HIV/AIDS; eradicating certain types of cancer; extending the life expectancy of children born with cystic fibrosis; understanding the causes of autism; devising drugs that protect healthy cells from the effects of radiation therapy; and are addressing numerous other societal challenges.
“This is an exciting initiative led by Chancellor Folt and we are in a position through breakthrough research to make a real difference in our state, our nation and the world,” said Dr. Lowry Caudill, chair of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees. “Coupled with the recently announced Carolina Research Venture Fund, we see tremendous growth opportunities for the University and the state. We’re grateful to the Board of Governors for supporting our efforts by approving this position. ”
Cone will begin as the interim vice chancellor of commercialization and economic development on February 1, 2015 and will continue to serve as special assistant to the chancellor and interim director of the Kenan Institute.
Before coming to Carolina in August 2009 to serve as the special assistant to the chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship, Cone served as vice president of emerging strategies and entrepreneurship at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, capping a 15-year career with the foundation. For the previous 12 years, Cone co-founded two management consulting firms serving Fortune 500 clients.
