Daniel Doctoroff, president of Bloomberg L.P., and Myrtle Stephens Potter, chief executive officer of Myrtle Potter and Company LLC, and Myrtle Potter Media Inc., were elected to the University of Chicago Board of Trustees on June 2.
“Daniel Doctoroff and Myrtle Potter are two distinguished University of Chicago alumni who bring to the board an unmatched blend of acumen in policy making, business leadership and strategic vision. President Zimmer, my fellow board members and I look forward to the benefit of their counsel as we meet the challenges and rise to the opportunities that await us,” said Board Chairman Andrew Alper, AB’80, MBA’81.
Doctoroff, JD’84, was deputy mayor for economic development and rebuilding for New York City before becoming Bloomberg president in 2008. With Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Doctoroff spearheaded the effort to reverse New York City’s fiscal crisis after the 9/11 attacks through a five-borough economic development strategy. This ambitious plan included the largest affordable housing program ever launched by an American city, the formation of new Central Business Districts and Industrial Business Zones, and the creation of new destinations like the Harbor District.
Doctoroff also led the creation of PlaNYC, the most extensive plan to strengthen an urban environment ever undertaken by an American city. The 127-point plan focuses on every facet of New York’s physical environment — its transportation network, housing stock, land and park system, energy network, water supply and air quality — and sets the course for a 30-percent reduction in global warming emissions by 2030.
Before joining the Bloomberg administration, Doctoroff was managing partner of Oak Hill Capital Partners, a major private equity investment firm. During his 14 years with Oak Hill, he led the purchases of companies in a wide variety of industries including information services, insurance, thrifts, cable television, hotels and leasing.
While at Oak Hill, Doctoroff founded NYC2012, the organization dedicated to bringing the Olympic Games to New York. As deputy mayor he continued to oversee New York’s Olympic bid. Before joining Oak Hill, he was an investment banker at Lehman Brothers.
Doctoroff serves on the boards of the World Resources Institute, Youth Inc., and the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, Human Rights First, Riverside Park Fund and National Academy Foundation. He and his wife, Alisa, and their three children live in New York City.
“At a time when the University of Chicago is raising its ambitions even higher, it is an honor to be asked to make a contribution,”Doctoroff said.
Potter, AB’80, operates both Myrtle Potter and Company LLC, a life sciences and healthcare consulting firm, and Myrtle Potter Media Inc., a consumer healthcare company.
Myrtle Potter and Company’s clients include biotech, pharmaceutical, medical services and medical device corporations. The company also conducts due diligence and advises the portfolio companies of venture capitalists, investment bankers and boards of directors. Myrtle Potter Media Inc. helps consumers navigate the complex U.S. healthcare systemon behalf of themselves and their families. The impetus for forming this company was Potter’s own near-death encounter with the healthcare system in 2005.
Potter was president and COO of Genentech Inc. from 2000 to 2005. Under her leadership the company achieved record sales and earnings growth each year. Sales grew more than five-fold to more than $5 billion over the same period. Previously, Potter was president of Bristol-Meyers Squibb’s $4 billion, 3,500-person U.S. Cardiovascular and Metabolic business.
“The University of Chicago’s intellectual atmosphere energized me as a student and I treasure the education I received there,” Potter said. “I’m proud now to support the University’s efforts to extend its legendary tradition of intellectual inquiry in my new role as Trustee.”
Before joining BMS, Potter worked at Merck and Company for 14 years. In her last role there she ran an $800 million U.S. pharmaceutical business. During her Merck tenure, she also established the new pharmaceutical company Astra/Merck Inc. Astra/Merck later merged with Zeneca to form the AstraZeneca company, which boasts $32 billion in worldwide sales.
Potter is co-author of the Amazon.com No. 1 best seller Living Proof: Celebrating the Gifts that Came Wrapped in Sandpaper (2011). She also is an on-air business contributor and co-host for CNBC on programs such as “Squawk Box,” “Power Lunch” and “Closing Bell.”
Potter is on the board of directors of Medco Health Solutions Inc., Everyday Health Inc., and Eleuthera Properties LTD. She also has served on the board of directors of Amazon.com and of FoxHollow Technologies/eV3, and on the advisory council to the dean of Stanford Business School.
Potter has two adult children and lives in San Francisco, Calif.
—Prof. Jacqueline Stewart
