Kulkarni named Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives

Rénu Kulkarni, founder and executive director of FutureMedia at the Georgia Institute of Technology, will join the University as Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives on April 15, 2013.

In her new position, Kulkarni will lead and support a range of major initiatives at the University of Chicago and will help develop important University partnerships and affiliations. She will work closely with members of the President’s and Provost’s offices, as well as with deans of schools and divisions, faculty leaders, and staff to help plan and execute these efforts. Kulkarni will report to Executive Vice President David Greene.

“Throughout her career at Georgia Tech and in leading technology companies, Rénu has demonstrated impressive expertise in strategic planning and developing global partnerships,” Greene said.  “I am delighted that she will bring her knowledge and experience to the University in this role.”

At Georgia Tech, Kulkarni was the founder and executive director of FutureMedia, an interdisciplinary research and economic development initiative aimed at exploring and shaping the future of digital media. Kulkarni developed the mission, strategy, and execution plan for FutureMedia, which connects universities, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, non-profits, and industry to build on Georgia Tech’s research and resources in new media. The initiative spans more than 20 groups, 37 ‘living laboratories’ where computing technology is applied, and nearly 500 faculty members at Georgia Tech. Through FutureMedia, she forged research partnerships between Georgia Tech and Turner Broadcasting/CNN, Cisco, HP, Intel, Coke, and the World Economic Forum, among other institutions.  

Kulkarni came to Georgia Tech from Motorola, where she served as vice president for technology partnerships. While at Motorola, she also directed the planning and management of Motorola Lab’s $150 million research and development fund and directed corporate strategy domestically and abroad.  A graduate of Georgia Tech and Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, she has previously worked at Verizon, Sprint, Bellsouth International, and Deloitte Consulting.

“I am thrilled to be joining the University of Chicago in this important role,” Kulkarni said. “I look forward to partnering with my new colleagues to help move forward the University’s strategic initiatives in ways that strengthen its position of eminence and leadership.”