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 Megan Blewett, investor at Scion Life Sciences; Stephen Pearse, managing partner, Yucatan Rock Ventures; and Hertz Fellow and Nobel laureate John C. Mather, senior astrophysicist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, as an honorary board member.
The new board members bring a remarkable breadth of experience and accomplishment across critical sectors, including biotechnology, energy and space science. 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.”
“We’re delighted to welcome these new board members, whose breadth of expertise, professional backgrounds and viewpoints will strengthen the foundation’s leadership.”
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.
Blewett and Mather were beneficiaries of Hertz Fellowships themselves and bring distinct insight into the fellowship experience.
“Our newly appointed board members bring a deep commitment to empowering our community of Hertz Fellows,” said Wendy Connors, president of the Hertz Foundation. “The foundation benefits greatly from their insights, and we are grateful for their investment in our nation’s future science and technology 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.
“Our newly appointed board members bring essential insights and a deep commitment to empowering our community of Hertz Fellows.”
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 spring at the Hertz Foundation Board of Directors meeting in New York City.
Meet the New Hertz Foundation Board Members
Hertz Fellow Megan Blewett is a biotechnology entrepreneur and investor who is passionate about building high-impact therapeutics. Presently an investor at Scion Life Sciences, she also co-founded and led Iris Medicine to develop genetically targeted treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.
Stephen Pearse has been a groundbreaking technology leader and entrepreneur for 45 years. As managing director at Yucatan Rock Ventures, he invests in and advises science- and technology-driven companies, drawing on deep experience in engineering, governance and strategic leadership.
Honorary board member Hertz Fellow John C. Mather is an astrophysicist, cosmologist, and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the Cosmic Background Explorer Satellite. He is a senior astrophysicist at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, College Park.
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.
