Springboard sadly notes the passing of our colleague, Ellen Hancock, in April 2022. Kay Koplovitz, Springboard’s Co-Founder and Chairman, wrote the following tribute to honor her memory and legacy as a Director, Advisor, Mentor, and Friend.
Ellen Hancock was a giant in the technology industry. Upon reflecting on her passing recently, I realized that Ellen's many years of generously offering her counsel and shared experience on the board of Springboard Enterprises will live in our past. But her legacy carries on and she will never be forgotten.
Ellen led the challenge for women in technology with her 29-year career with IBM, rising to become a member of IBM's Executive Committee at a time when few women gained access to the C-suite. After IBM, she accelerated her impact on the technology industry by taking on senior roles at National Semiconductor Corporation, Apple Computer, and then as CEO of Exodus Communications. Through a lifetime of leadership, Ellen built a network of influence that reaches far and wide not only in business, but in service to colleges, foundations, and non-profits as well. She was also a long-standing board member of Colgate, Aetna, Santa Clara University, the Rand Corporation, and many more. Among her foremost leadership roles was as a board member of Marist College for 34 years and Chair for more than seven. With all this personal responsibility in hand, I am truly grateful to her leadership at Springboard.
Ellen was dedicated to the mission of Springboard, to take women founders in technology and life science through the gates of growth to a scalable and sustainable future. Her wisdom was generously shared with board members, entrepreneurs, and management alike. Her steadfast eye always focused on good governance and a best-in-class organization while remaining true to our mission. Today, we are a better organization because of the clarity of her advice and her unwavering support of the more than 850 women alumnae of Springboard who are transforming industries including enterprise technology, fashion tech, media tech, biotech, digital health, blockchain, and AI.
We pause to celebrate the woman we admire: Ellen Hancock, the trailblazer. She took legions of women and men to new heights and women in technology to new levels of enduring success. Her counsel will guide us for decades to come.
Kay Koplovitz
Co-Founder and Chairman, Springboard Enterprises
Founder and Former CEO, USA Networks
Co-Founder and Chairman, Springboard Growth Capital