Tulane University is grateful to the Priddy Family Foundation for making the lead gift and securing the pivotal funds to launch the Robert L. Priddy Innovation Lab. A 1969 Tulane graduate, Robert Priddy forged a successful career in aviation and private equity and remains an active private investor, sitting on the boards of numerous companies in his portfolio. Along with Robert and his wife, Kikie, the foundation is run by their daughter and son-in-law, Shannon and Mike Acks, and their son, Christopher Priddy.
“I see a promising idea with the power to capitalize on Tulane’s existing strengths and grow into something huge for the city and the Gulf Coast.”
– Robert Priddy
Another leading gift from Board of Tulane member David Mussafer (B ’85) and his wife, Marion, has established the David and Marion Mussafer Innovation Funds. The funds will support a spectrum of the institute’s activities, from programming and staff support to mentoring, marketing, and startup and proof-of-concept funding. In recognition of their gift, the institute’s managing executive will be known as the David and Marion Mussafer Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer, for which a national search is nearing completion. A renowned investor known for helping companies innovate, scale and achieve long-term, sustainable growth, David Mussafer serves as chairman and managing partner of Advent International Corp., one of the world’s largest and most experienced global private equity firms.
Other early and visionary supporters include David Barksdale (TC ’00), an emeritus member of the Board of Tulane, principal at Alluvian Capital, and chair of The Idea Village, and his wife, Stephanie, a social innovation and social entrepreneurship instructor at the Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking; Carol Bernick (NC ’74), chair of the Board of Tulane and CEO of Polished Nickel Capital Management, a privately held company that manages diversified investments and owned operating companies in retail and professional sports; Walter Isaacson, an emeritus member of the Board of Tulane and the Leonard A. Lauder Professor of American History and Values, and his wife, Cathy, vice chair of The Idea Village; and Jeffrey Silverman (A&S ’89), co-founder and managing partner of Laconia Capital Group LLC, and his wife, Amy.
