Expanding Opportunity—and Safeguarding Freedom
Dedicated to Expanding Opportunity and Strengthening Trust—One Person, One Institution, One Nation at a Time
I picked strawberries, washed dishes, and pumped gas to become the first boy in my family to graduate from college. America never promised me success, but it gave me a chance. I’ve spent my life making sure others get the same chance I did—and that the world they inherit remains free and full of opportunity.
Today, that mission continues through the GRIPS Framework I developed — an approach that aligns Governance, Resilience, Innovation, Perception, and Security to strengthen democratic coherence in an era of strategic competition. Freedom’s future depends on whether democracies can unite purpose, policy, and performance at home and abroad.
A Purpose That Runs Through Every Chapter
- I was raised one of seven children by a homemaker and a small-town insurance agent in rural Minnesota. Those early years taught me the value of hard work, fairness, and faith in others. They also instilled a lifelong commitment to expanding opportunity — especially for those who start with little more than grit and determination.
- Across every chapter — in business, Congress, higher education, and global strategy — that same commitment has guided me. Whether revitalizing a company, building bipartisan coalitions in Congress, or leading universities through crisis, my goal has remained consistent: to align opportunity with trust, systems with service, and leadership with purpose.
Today: Strengthening Freedom Through Coherent Strategy
- Today, I serve as Director and Senior Fellow at New York University’s Development Research Institute (DRI), where I lead the Wahba Initiative for Strategic Competition (WISC). WISC advances democratic resilience through trusted technology, secure supply chains, modern alliances, and strategic infrastructure — helping the free world compete and cooperate effectively in a divided yet interdependent age.
- We focus on ensuring that the United States and its allies are equipped to lead responsibly in a world shaped by digital transformation and rising authoritarian pressure. This work builds on decades at the intersection of policy, innovation, and education — and continues my lifelong mission of creating systems that serve people.
Leading in Higher Education
- Higher education has played a central role in my life—from being the first boy in my family to earn a degree, to leading two public university systems through transformative times.
- Along the way, my wife Debbie and I funded scholarships for rural students like us—because we know how life-changing just one opportunity can be.
A Commitment to Public Service
- Service has been a through line in my work — whether in Congress, the university presidency, or global policy strategy.
- I’ve always believed leadership means listening first, respecting others, and focusing on results that improve lives.
- That’s why I worked across the aisle in Congress, founded the Economic Club of Minnesota to foster civic dialogue, and continue to convene global thinkers through WISC and NYU to explore how we can empower individuals, strengthen nations, and build trusted alliances amid digital disruption and geopolitical competition.
- Every platform I’ve had has been used to lift others — especially those who haven’t yet had their chance.
Staying Grounded, Looking Ahead
- I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice or having all the answers. It’s about staying grounded in values, showing up in moments that matter, and keeping your compass pointed toward service.
- From local communities to global coalitions, I remain guided by one conviction: freedom endures when democracies stay aligned — in purpose, in innovation, and in trust.