Heather Hage, president and CEO of Griffiss Institute, has been appointed inaugural chair of the NSF Engines: Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine governance board.
Hage has over two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership and management of research and other sponsored programs, technology transfer and commercialization programs including accelerators and venture funds, national security partnerships, and economic development projects. At Griffiss Institute, which has pioneered open innovation defense programs and facilities, diversified partnerships, and enjoyed healthy revenue growth under her leadership, she has expanded the organization’s aperture to nurture scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs with leading-edge STEM talent and technology development programs.
A Mohawk Valley native, Hage is a graduate of Hamilton College and Albany Law School. Before joining Griffiss Institute, she served over 15 years at SUNY Research Foundation, advancing public-private partnerships in innovation and economic development. Her responsibilities at the Research Foundation spanned technology transfer, intellectual property management, planning and oversight of strategic initiatives, industry partnerships and advocacy.
“As chair of the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine, I’m honored to oversee and support an initiative that underscores the necessity of cross-regional partnerships to drive innovation and progress across Upstate New York. Nonprofit leadership is about creating opportunities that unite diverse stakeholders; this effort is no different,” Hage said. “By working together across industries, communities and institutions, we have the opportunity to accelerate the development of energy storage technologies while strengthening the economic and environmental resilience of upstate New York to the benefit of our communities, as well as our state and national economy.”
“The governance board plays a pivotal role in shaping the Engine’s strategy and driving its success,” said Meera Sampath, Engine CEO. “As chair, Heather leads a fantastic team of senior executives committed to helping the Engine achieve its mission of driving transformative growth for our region. Her appointment comes at a crucial time as the Engine accelerates its momentum and impact.”
The Engine’s board members are drawn from a broad spectrum of organizations, including research and academic institutions, New York state government agencies and nonprofit organizations from across upstate New York. Their collective expertise supports each of the Engine’s pillars and critical functions including use-inspired R&D, translation, workforce development and community engagement.
Current members are:
Heather Hage, president and CEO, Griffiss Institute, chair
Bill Acker, executive director, NY-BEST
Tina Barber, executive director, Community Foundation for SCNY
Duncan Brown, vice president, Research, Syracuse University
Dr. Robin Cole Jr., vice president, Economic and Workforce Development and Career and Technical Education, Monroe Community College
Shelley Dionne, dean, School of Management, Binghamton University
Marnie LaVigne, president and CEO, Launch NY
Meera Sampath, CEO, Engine, Binghamton University (non-voting member)
David Sandbank, Vice President, NYSERDA
Krystyn J. Van Vliet, vice president, research and innovation, Cornell University
Ben Verschueren, executive director, ESD/NYSTAR (ex-officio)
“Heather brings extensive and proven experience in building successful industry-academia-government partnerships,” said board member Marnie Lavigne, president and CEO of Launch-NY. “Her strategic thinking, impact-driven leadership style and infectious enthusiasm will be great assets to the Engine. The board has unanimously endorsed Heather’s appointment as chair and looks forward to working with her.”
Since its launch last February, the Engine has awarded more than $3 million in R&D, translation and workforce development grants to advance next-gen battery technologies, support promising startups, and develop and scale a broad portfolio of education and training initiatives across the region. Additional funding opportunities and new programs are underway, including expansion of workforce development programs under the recently launched Upstate New York Energy Storage Workforce Development Network and support for regional startups through the Translation Superboost Grants and Technology Acceleration Assistance Program.
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