James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP is CEO of Connect, a San Diego-based nonprofit venture and innovation organization, where he is leading its evolution from a regional convener to a global architect of innovation. He also serves as Executive Vice President, Medicine and Research for MAYKR, an investment fund focused on AI and robotics in science and medicine, sustainable energy, and data infrastructure, and is host of The Connect Current podcast. Previously, he spent a decade as Chief Strategy Officer at Tulane University School of Medicine and earlier helped establish the open science functions at HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus. Across a career spanning science, media, academic innovation, and executive leadership, James has built a reputation for connecting people, ideas, and institutions to accelerate innovation and impact.