New Chief Innovation Officer Starts At The College

After working at the White House, Damian Thorman is serving the College as chief innovation officer, a new position to find ideas to create new opportunities for students. Thorman started at the College on July 25. He is based at Wolfson Campus.

“I’ve been seeking new opportunities to innovate,” Thorman said. “Additionally, I’ve been learning about the amazing work and people here at MDC and overseeing the Idea Center and Goldman Sachs Entrepreneurship programs.”  

Prior to joining MDC, he served as director of the White House’s Social Innovation Fund, which helps with social service programs in America. He’s also worked at the Knight Foundation as its director of national programs for nine years and as a senior congressional aide to a member of Congress for 11 years. Thorman  has held positions in philanthropy and judiciary areas. Before that, he was chief executive officer of True North Philanthropic Advisors, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and Director of Public Policy for the Kauffman Foundation and Professional Staff for the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee.

Thorman has a master’s degree in business administration from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri and a law degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia.