Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics to Tomorrow's Leaders.
Meet the dedicated leaders and visionaries behind The Harris Institute & Foundation. Guided by a shared commitment to educational excellence, youth empowerment, and expanding opportunities in STEM, our team brings together diverse expertise, innovative thinking, and a passion for inspiring the next generation of leaders and changemakers.
Dr. Harris is currently CEO & Managing Partner of Vesalius Ventures, Inc., a venture capital firm that invests in early to mid-stage Healthcare technologies and companies. He is responsible for managing a portfolio of private assets of early and mid-stage venture investments and operating companies.
He served as CEO and Executive Director, National Math & Science Initiative and led the organization's efforts to improve teacher effectiveness and student achievement in communities across the country. He has been involved in math and science education for over 25 years through his philanthropy as founder of the Harris Institute & Foundation.
Dr. Harris was at NASA for ten years, where he conducted research in musculoskeletal physiology and clinical investigations of space adaptation and developed in-flight medical devices to extend Astronaut stays in space. A veteran astronaut for over thirty years, he has logged more than 438 hours and traveled over 7.2 million miles in space.
He is a member of the Board of Directors for Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX), MassMutual, Solventum (NYSE:SOLV), and U.S. Physical Therapy (NYSE: USPH). Dr. Harris served as a Board of Director/Trustee for Salient Midstream & MLP Fund and Salient MF Trust, and Barings Fund & BBDC. In addition, he is on the non-profit Boards of the Texas Medical Center (past Chair), Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, STEM Next, and the Harris Institute & Foundation.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Houston, a Master of Medical Science from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Houston, and a Doctorate of Medicine from Texas Tech University School of Medicine. He completed a Residency in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, a National Research Council Fellowship in Endocrinology at the NASA Ames Research Center, and trained as a Flight Surgeon at the Aerospace School of Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base. He is also a licensed private pilot and certified scuba diver.
Dr. Harris is the recipient of numerous awards, including nine (9) honorary doctorates: (New Jersey Institute of Technology, Indiana Institute of Technology, Morehouse College School of Medicine, University of Hartford, Stonybrook University, Washington & Jefferson College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, University of Houston, and University of the Sciences, now called St. Joseph's University), NASA Space Flight Medal, NASA Award of Merit, National Space Grant Distinguished Services Award, James Bryant Conant Award, a fellow of the American College of Physicians, a fellow of the American Telemedicine Association, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the recipient of the 2000 Horatio Alger Award and 2024 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.
In May 2025, Dr. Harris was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
He is the author of Dream Walker: A Journey of Achievement and Inspiration (2010) and Embracing Infinite Possibilities: Letting Go Of Fear To Find Your Highest Potential (2025).
Pamela R. Jones is an accomplished education executive, organizational leader, and entrepreneur with more than 15 years of executive leadership and management experience and over a decade of entrepreneurial experience. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to educational advancement, youth development, organizational excellence, and the creation of programs that empower individuals and strengthen communities.
Pamela serves as Executive Director of The Harris Foundation, where she provides strategic leadership and organizational oversight for educational initiatives, youth development programs, and community-focused projects. During her tenure, she supported organizational growth, strategic planning, board relations, program development, grant administration, and operational management, overseeing teams of up to 18 employees and organizational budgets of approximately $6 million.
Her work with The Harris Foundation included supporting nationally recognized STEM education initiatives, including the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp, which provided students across the country with opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through engaging educational experiences. This experience further strengthened her commitment to expanding educational opportunities and encouraging young people to pursue academic and professional excellence.
As an entrepreneur, Pamela founded and operated Apogee STEM Discovery Learning Academy, an educational enterprise focused on early childhood education, STEM enrichment, academic readiness, and the social and emotional development of children. Through this venture, she gained extensive experience in business ownership, educational administration, regulatory compliance, curriculum implementation, staff development, financial management, and community engagement. Her entrepreneurial journey reflects her ability to transform an educational vision into an operating organization while balancing the demands of leadership, business strategy, and educational quality.
Pamela's professional background also includes experience in public-sector administration, facilities management, leasing, contract coordination, and statewide operational oversight. These experiences have contributed to her broad understanding of organizational management, policy implementation, strategic operations, and institutional accountability.
She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston. She is also a Texas-licensed Child Care Director and Texas Notary Public. Her professional development includes leadership training, human resources, organizational management, and business development.
A firm believer in the power of education, leadership, and entrepreneurship, Pamela brings a unique combination of executive experience, business acumen, and practical educational knowledge to the programs and organizations with which she engages. Her professional philosophy is grounded in the belief that meaningful educational opportunities, strong leadership, and intentional investment in people can create lasting impact.
Dr. Janelle Ridley is a nationally engaged education and policy leader, strategist, and innovator with more than 20 years of experience working across government, education, and youth-serving systems. Her work is grounded in a simple belief: young people deserve more than access to opportunity; they deserve systems that recognize their potential, invest in their futures, and give them a meaningful voice in shaping the decisions that affect their lives.
Throughout her career, Dr. Ridley has worked at the intersection of education, policy, digital literacy, and social impact, bringing together people, institutions, and ideas to address systemic challenges and create meaningful change. She has held senior leadership positions with the City of Boston, Boston Public Schools, Brandeis University, Everett Public Schools, and Roxbury Community College, where her work has focused on advancing educational equity, strengthening institutions, and building partnerships that turn ideas into action.
Dr. Ridley earned her Ph.D. in Social Policy and Master of Public Policy from Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She also holds a master's degree in Organizational Psychology with a concentration in Global Mental Health. Her research explores the intersection of education, justice, and digital literacy, with particular attention to how innovation can transform learning experiences and expand opportunities for young people.
Dr. Ridley has earned international recognition for her work in serious gaming, receiving Gold and Silver medals from the International Serious Play Competition. Central to this work is her belief that young people should lead in solving the challenges they face. Rather than designing games for them, she guided young people in designing and creating their own games as solutions to real-world problems. She also serves as National Vice Chair of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice, helping shape national conversations and policies affecting young people involved in or at risk of entering the justice system.
As Senior Advisor for Education, Policy & Social Impact at The Harris Foundation, Dr. Ridley brings her experience in national policy, educational innovation, and cross-sector collaboration to support the Foundation's continued growth and impact. Her work includes helping advance Dare to Dream 2.0, strengthening strategic partnerships, and exploring how artificial intelligence, digital literacy, and workforce development can create new opportunities for young people.
At the heart of her work is the belief that young people should not simply inherit the world we create for them. They should be at the forefront of identifying challenges, developing solutions, and shaping a better future for their generation and those that follow.
The Harris Institute / Foundation
P.O. Box 130648
Houston, TX 77219, USA
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