Steve VanNurden, MBA, wants CU Innovations to be known for one thing: how well it helps translate ideas from idealism into action. It’s a statement borrowed from Charlie Mayo, a founder of Mayo Clinic, where VanNurden began his career in innovation 34 years ago.
Steve VanNurden shares advice with colleagues before his imminent retirement at the recent CU Innovations Forum. |
Retiring soon from his roles as the associate vice chancellor of biotechnology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and president and CEO of the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA), VanNurden was invited to give closing remarks on day one of the June 10-12 CU Innovation Forum.
The three-day event featured presentations from campus innovators, entrepreneurs and biotech CEOs about all stages of the innovation journey.
Since establishing CU Innovations in 2016 to reinvent the way technology is transferred, VanNurden helped lead the entity to its recognition as a top five innovation hub by the National Institutes of Health and a ranking of 21st in innovation by the National Academy of Inventors.
Throughout his career, VanNurden kept a file of quotes and anecdotes that informed his journey, and he shared some of those pearls of wisdom in his speech.