Mark R Kennedy
Mark Kennedy is Director of the Wahba Institute of Strategic Competition at the Wilson Center, an appointed Civic Leader supporting the Secretary of the Air Force and a Senior Fellow at CNA - Center for Naval Analyses. A first-generation college graduate, he has led at the highest levels of academia, government and business. Mark served as President of the University of Colorado and of the University of North Dakota. He authored Shapeholders: Business Success in the Age of Activism, published by Columbia University. Kennedy served as a U.S. Congressman (MN) and as a presidentially appointed member of the Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiation. Mark was treasurer of company known today as Macy’s and helped Pillsbury buy and expand Häagen-Dazs. Kennedy founded the Economic Club of Minnesota. Mark is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Boston Global Forum’s Board of Thinkers. He earned a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University and an MBA with distinction from the University of Michigan.
Academic Leader
- As President of the University of Colorado (CU) from 2019 – 2021, effectively navigated CU through the pandemic and led the adoption of a system strategic plan. CU kept net tuition flat, expanded online offerings, and strengthened its technological infrastructure. In 2020, CU garnered $1.4 billion in sponsored research funding and gifts and $455 million in contributions. Board member of University of Colorado Hospital Authority and Fitzsimons Innovation Community.
- As President of the Univeristy of North Dakota (UND) from 2016 - 2019, led the adoption and implementation of a strategic plan. UND increased graduation rates by 10 percentage points, expanded research and online offerings and underwent significant campus renewal.
- Director and Professor of the Graduates School of Political Management at George Washington University from 2012-2016.
- Authored a peer reviewed book Shapeholders – Business Success in the Age of Activism, published by Columbia University Press.
Public Servant
- Represented Minnesota in the United States House of Representatives from 2001 to 2007, establishing a strong bi-partisan track record.
- After service in Congress, was a Presidential appointee to the Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations 2007-09.
- Currently a United States Air and Space Forces Civic Leader supporting Secretary of the Air Force.
- Visited over 50 military bases in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, three aircraft carriers at sea and an attack submarine.
- Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Economic Club of Minnesota.
- Sponsor the Frontiers of Freedom Lecture Series at St. John's University, Collegeville, MN.
Business Leader
- Senior executive on leadership team of the company that is today known as Macy' s.
- Helped Pillsbury buy and expand Haagen-Dazs globally.
- MBA with Distinction from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
Innovator
- Member of the National Commission on Innovation and Competitiveness Frontiers 2020-2021.
- Member of Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ Research Intensive Committee 2021.
- UND was listed among the 25 Most Innovative Universities by U.S. News & World Report while serving as President.
Globally Engaged
- Member of the Council on Foreign Relations
- Actively engaged academic, business, civic and government leaders over last four decades in 45 countries including regular visits to Europe, 16 visits to Turkey, 15 to China, 14 to Japan, 12 to Brazil, 8 to Mexico and multiple visits to the Middle East and Africa.
- Lectured or led research projects on five continents, including at the University of Cambridge, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, University of Notre Dame, New York University, University of Tokyo, National University of Singapore and Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico.
- Led global immersion programs for students in Ankara, Beijing, Brasilia, Brussels, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, São Paulo, Seoul, Tokyo and prepped one for South Africa.
Champion of Inclusion Excellence
- Left the leadership of every organization more diverse in terms of gender, race and sexual orientation.
- At the University of Colorado, of the eight people involved with hiring, five were women, five were of color, all were the most qualified for the position.
Thought Leader
Director, Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition - The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Senior Fellow at CNA - Center for Naval Analyses
Member of the Boston Global Forum’s Board of Thinkers
Quoted in leading media outlets worldwide including BBC, CNN, CSPAN, FOX News, France2, MSNBC, NBC - Face the Nation, Sky News, Sky News – Arabia, NPR, SRF - Swiss Radio, Voice of Russia, Bloomberg / Business Week, Foreign Policy, the Hill, Korea Times, LA Times, Roll Call, Politico, South China Morning Post, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post.
Family Man
Kennedy and his wife of 44 years, Debbie, have four children, who have lived and worked on four continents, and twelve grandchildren.