Leaders in Tech, Urban Innovation, and Finance Join Jacobs Institute Steering Committee

Cornell Tech has announced that industry leader Joshua Ruch is now co-chair of the Jacobs Steering Committee, alongside Abby Joseph Cohen, current chair of the committee. Joshua has been a dedicated member of the Steering Committee for eight years and chaired the Runway Advisory Committee. In addition, the Steering Committee welcomes three new members: Nafea Bshara, Wendy Jones, and EB Kelly.

The Jacobs Institute Steering Committee guides the strategic direction of the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute, a cornerstone of Cornell Tech’s mission to fuse academic excellence with real-world impact through programs in health tech, urban tech, and connective media, as well as startup incubation, facilitated by the Runway program.

These accomplished leaders bring deep expertise in cloud computing, urban development, financial technology, and venture capital — fields that are shaping the future of digital life.

“Joshua has always brought a rare combination of strategic insight and personal dedication to the Jacobs Institute and the Steering Committee. I’m delighted to welcome him as co-chair and look forward to partnering with him as we continue to grow,” said Cohen. “With the addition of Nafea, Wendy, and EB to the Steering Committee is stronger than ever. I’m excited about the energy and expertise this group brings to Cornell Tech’s next chapter.”

Committee members advise on initiatives that advance interdisciplinary research, entrepreneurship, and public interest technology, helping the Jacobs Institute remain at the forefront of innovation in New York City and beyond, through its connection with Cornell and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology.

“I’m excited to welcome these new leaders and members to the Steering Committee. Each brings a unique perspective to how emerging technologies can address complex societal and business challenges,” said Israel Cidon, director of the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute. “Their leadership will expand the Jacobs Institute’s impact across diverse industries and communities.”

Each of the new members exemplifies Cornell Tech’s commitment to bold thinking and transformative leadership. Read more about their accomplishments below.

Joshua Ruch

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Rho Capital Partners

Ruch is co-founder and CEO of Rho Capital Partners, launched in 1981, an investment and venture capital management company based in New York. He has led investments in information technology, communications, new media, and health care as well as private equity funds and public securities. Earlier in his career, he worked as an investment banker at Salomon Brothers. Ruch serves on the boards of GeneDx and a number of privately held companies, including Berenberg Bank, CloudPay and Code Ocean. His philanthropic activities include serving as a trustee of the Mount Sinai Health System and Carnegie Hall, and he is a member of the Board of Governors of the Technion and the Jacobs Steering Committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Technion and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Abby Joseph Cohen

Presidential Councillor, Cornell; Life Fellow, Weill Cornell Medicine

Abby Joseph Cohen has been chair of the Jacobs Steering Committee since its founding. She serves Cornell University as a Presidential Councillor and Life Fellow of Weill Cornell Medicine. Abby is a retired partner and longstanding chief investment strategist at Goldman Sachs and is currently a Professor of Business at Columbia University. She is an economics advisor to the New York State Division of Financial Services and the state legislature. She holds degrees in economics and computer science from Cornell University and George Washington University.

Nafea Bshara

Vice President and Distinguished Engineer, Amazon Web Services

Bshara is vice president and distinguished engineer at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he leads strategy and architecture for AWS’s custom hardware, including Nitro systems, Graviton processors, and Trainium chips. He co-founded Annapurna Labs in 2011, which was acquired by Amazon in 2015. Earlier, he served as chief technology officer for enterprise products at Marvell Semiconductor and as chief architect at Galileo Technology. Bshara holds a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and has been granted more than 350 U.S. patents.

Wendy Jones

Managing Director and Chief Information Officer, General Atlantic

Jones is a managing director and chief information officer at General Atlantic, where she leads the firm’s global technology strategy and delivery organization. Prior to joining the firm in 2024, she held senior technology roles at Goldman Sachs, Sculptor Capital Management, and BNY, where she led firmwide Customer Relationship Management (CRM) engineering, re-engineering initiatives, and asset servicing technology. A Cornell alumna, Jones has served on the President’s Council of Cornell Women, mentored with Break Through Tech at Cornell Tech, and served on the board of StepUp New York. She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in operations research and industrial engineering from Cornell University.

EB Kelly

Senior Managing Director, Tishman Speyer; Head of Rockefeller Center

As head of Rockefeller Center, Kelly oversees redevelopment and daily operations of the landmark destination — including leasing, asset management, placemaking, and experiential platforms such as the Rainbow Room, the skating rink, and Top of the Rock. In addition, as senior managing director at Tishman Speyer, she leads the Global Customer Partnerships team and the ZO tenant amenity platform. Kelly previously held leadership roles in the New York City Mayor’s Office and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, where she helped implement projects including the High Line and the Whitney Museum. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a law degree from Harvard University.