James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP is CEO of Connect, a San Diego nonprofit venture and innovation organization, leading its transformation from regional convener to global architect of innovation. He is also EVP, Medicine and Research at MAYKR, an investment fund focused on AI and robotics in science and medicine, sustainable energy, and data infrastructure. Previously, he served a decade as Chief Strategy Officer at Tulane University School of Medicine, after helping establish open science functions at HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus. At Tulane he led biotech business development, industry and investor engagement, marketing, communications, and crisis response, supporting a major hospital partner transition. He co-hosted the Bio on the Bayou podcast and holds leadership roles with AAIH and BIO.