James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP is the CEO of Connect, a nonprofit venture and innovation organization based in San Diego, where he is leading a bold transformation to evolve Connect from a regional convener to a global architect of innovation. He also serves as Executive Vice President, Medicine and Research for the investment fund MAYKR, which focuses on AI and robotics in science and medicine, sustainable energy, and data infrastructure.
Previously, James served for a decade as the Chief Strategy Officer at Tulane University School of Medicine, a role he performed after establishing the open science functions at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus – one of the most innovative experiments in scientific research. His work at Tulane included biotech business development, industry and investor engagement, marketing and communications, and crisis response. He played a central role in reshaping academic medicine branding and navigating a hospital partner transition to develop a premier academic medical center.