Hart
Gov. Phil Murphy appointed BioNJ President and Chief Executive Officer Debbie Hart as the next chair of the Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology (CSIT) Friday.
“As we continue to invest in our state’s science, technology, engineering, and math sectors, CSIT’s role is becoming more important than ever,” said Murphy. “Debbie has a long history of advocating for young, innovative companies in the Garden State and her decades of involvement has helped shape New Jersey’s innovation ecosystem and make it the ideal place for startups to grow and flourish.”
CSIT, which was re-established by Murphy in 2018, has provided nearly 150 startups with over $6 million in funding. It offers a suite of programs and resources to help Garden State startups thrive.
At that time, Hart was appointed as the commission’s vice-chair. In addition to leading BioNJ since its inception in 1994, Hart sits on numerous economic and academic boards statewide.
“I thank Gov. Murphy for his unwavering commitment to New Jersey’s startup community and for entrusting me with the vital task of heading the board of such an important commission,” said Hart. “Under the governor’s leadership, we have made significant strides in our efforts to recapture our role as a leader in innovation. I look forward to working with my fellow Board members, and the staff of CSIT, to put forth new programs and initiatives that will benefit businesses and researchers throughout the industry and New Jersey’s innovation economy as a whole.”
“The passion Debbie has for helping emerging companies succeed shines through in everything she does, making her the perfect choice to be the next CSIT chair,” said CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft. “Debbie brings a unique perspective and set of skills to CSIT and is a tremendous asset to the Board as we work with our partners in the industry and academia to support startups growing in the Garden State.”
The previous CSIT chair, Gunjan Doshi, stepped down earlier this year.
