The basics:
- Gov. Murphy launches Strategic Innovation Center Advisory Council in NJ
- Includes leaders from business, academia & government
- Members will guide growth of NJ innovation ecosystem and SICs
- Initiative aims to strengthen entrepreneurship, economic competitiveness
Gov. Phil Murphy convened the inaugural meeting of the new Strategic Innovation Center Advisory Council (SIC-AC) Oct. 8 in Newark.
NJBIZ has reported extensively on the SICs – facilities that support research and development, innovation and entrepreneurship. Across the state, the announced SICs comprise accelerators, incubators and research centers.
The SIC-AC brings together a slew of key stakeholders, academic and corporate leaders, industry champions, subject matter experts, and government officials with an aim of advancing New Jersey’s innovation ecosystem and cultivating collaboration.
“From technology to life sciences and manufacturing, New Jersey is once again leading the way in innovation,” said Murphy. “The Strategic Innovation Center Advisory Council will serve as a national model for cultivating a welcoming environment for entrepreneurs and keep the state ahead of the curve as market trends shift.”
The SIC-AC features representatives from each announced SIC. Steve Van Kuiken, senior partner emeritus, McKinsey & Co., serves as SIC-AC chairperson.
The members include:
SIC Representatives
- Saeed Amidi – founder & CEO, Plug and Play
- Michael Olmstead – chief revenue officer and partner, Plug and Play
- Howard Kyle – president, National Aerospace Research & Technology Park
- Paul Hoffman – president & CEO, Liberty Science Center
- Alexis Richter – executive director, SciTech Innovation Hub
- Duncan Turner – general partner, HAX; global managing director, SOSV
- Susan Schofer – partner, SOSV; HAX
- Christopher Paladino – president, New Brunswick Development Corp. (DEVCO)
- Liat Krawczyk – founding executive director, NJ AI Hub
- Michael Johnson – president, New Jersey Innovation Institute
- Michael van Ter Sluis – vice president of entrepreneurship, NJII
- Thierry Klein – president, Nokia Bell Labs Solutions Research
- Chris Jones – vice president of strategic partnership, Nokia
- Dr. Jean-Pierre Issa – president & CEO, Coriell Institute for Medical Research
- Timothy Meyer – deputy director for operations and chief operating officer, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
- Tony Lowman – inaugural chancellor, Rowan University
Independent Members
- Kuiken
- Gina Tedesco – managing member, Amala Ventures
- Aisha Glover – vice president, Urban Innovation, Audible
- Marie Pryor – leader of Microsoft’s TechSpark Initiative
- Wesley Mathews – president & CEO, Choose New Jersey
- Sean O’Sullivan – managing general partner, SOSV
- Corey Sanders – senior vice president of strategy, CoreWeave
- Jeff Cherry – Founder, CEO & executive director; Conscious Venture Lab
- Nina Edwards – vice president of emerging technology & applied innovation, Prudential Financial
- Anindya Sengupta – vice president, Strategic Initiatives, Prudential
- Dr. Victoria Manax – partner, Eckuity Capital
- Josh Barer – managing director, Astr Partners
- John Flavin – founder & CEO, Portal Innovations
- Nancy Tyrrell – director of academic partnerships on the growth and expansion team, Portal Innovations
- Brian Bridges – New Jersey secretary of higher education, Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
- Tim Sullivan – CEO, New Jersey Economic Development Authority
- Mary Maples – deputy CEO, NJEDA
- Kathleen Coviello – chief economic transformation officer, NJEDA
‘Engine of economic growth’
“I’m extremely impressed with the progress made to date on establishing a robust ecosystem of SICs across the state,” said Van Kuiken. “The SICs will be an engine of economic growth for the state for years to come, and the Advisory Council is well positioned to help them achieve that goal.”
Key things to know about the SIC-AC:
- Members will serve as primary advocates for the state’s innovation ecosystem – and provide strategic guidance on market trends and ecosystem growth, as well as assessing programming impact
- Members will guide strategic communication efforts; spearhead outreach and engagement with industry, academic and governmental partners; and serve as New Jersey innovation economy ambassadors
Officials say that the SIC-AC aims to make the Garden State a national model of sustainable and equitable economic growth.
Today, @GovMurphy kicked off the Strategic Innovation Center Advisory Council, which will work to advance the state’s innovation economy. The Council aims to make NJ a national model of sustainable economic growth in the innovation sector. pic.twitter.com/unPXtG5IDJ
— New Jersey EDA (@NewJerseyEDA) October 8, 2025
“Strategic Innovation Centers are supporting the state’s startup community, ensuring that entrepreneurs have access to capital and opportunities for meaningful collaboration with industry stakeholders,” said Sullivan. “Launching the advisory council today confirms the state’s commitment to growing our innovation ecosystem and the expertise and guidance of its members will help enhance our economic competitiveness.”
Murphy added, “By bringing together the public and private sectors, this unique collaboration will strengthen our innovation ecosystem, helping bring new technologies to the marketplace and create good-paying jobs for our residents.”
