It is with deep gratitude and admiration that we announce the retirement of Anne O’Donnell, whose leadership, vision and commitment to UC San Diego will leave a lasting legacy on our campus and community after nearly 25 years. Her last day in office is June 30.
Since joining the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) in August 2023 as Senior Executive Director for Corporate Strategy and Engagement for the Science Research Park, Anne has helped advance some of UC San Diego’s most important strategic partnerships. In this role, she has provided thoughtful leadership in shaping corporate collaborations and strengthened the university’s broader research and innovation ecosystem.
Anne brought to this position more than two decades of exceptional experience building and stewarding corporate partnerships at UC San Diego. Over the course of her career, she played an instrumental role in developing meaningful collaborations between campus and industry, including her leadership at the Jacobs School of Engineering, where she established the Corporate Affiliates Program and helped develop and progress multiple agile centers of excellence.
She also led Corporate Relations in Advancement, expanding strategic partnerships with companies aligned with UC San Diego’s research strengths, such as the long-term partnership with Thermo Fisher in the Goedell Family Technology Sandbox, and developing innovative means to engage companies in UC San Diego’s mission by teaming with procurement.
In the years since joining ORI, Anne has continued to make an extraordinary impact. She has helped elevate UC San Diego’s partnerships locally, nationally and internationally by supporting initiatives tied to the Science Research Park, international Trade Missions, the Agilent Center of Excellence for Cellular Intelligence, U.S. government and national security engagement, and industry outreach including the business model for the Center for Healthcare Cybersecurity.
As an ambassador for campus with professional organizations, Anne has aided collaboration with the San Diego Military Affairs Council and advanced best practices in university-industry collaboration, serving on the Board of Advisors for the NSF offshoot, University-Industry Demonstration Partnerships. Across this work, Anne has consistently championed an approach rooted in collaboration, strategy and public purpose.
What stands out most about Anne is not only what she accomplished, but how she accomplished it with warmth, intelligence, integrity and an unwavering belief in the power of holistic partnerships to serve society. She has helped others see that UC San Diego can be both an outstanding research university and an exceptional collaborator with industry, government and community partners.
Beyond her many professional accomplishments, we also want to recognize Anne for the courage and humanity she has shown in the face of her son Patrick’s devastating battle with glioblastoma, demonstrating remarkable strength, openness and generosity. Patrick’s commitment to science and research, and his desire to help others, even during his own illness, is a lasting testament to his character and his upbringing.
Patrick’s story continues to shape conversations about the future of personalized cancer care and the responsible use of new technologies, including AI, to improve outcomes for future patients. Anne’s willingness to share that story has been a gift to others, reflecting the same spirit of purpose and service that has defined her work throughout her career.
Please join us in thanking Anne for her remarkable service and in wishing her all the best in her retirement. We are profoundly grateful for all she has given to UC San Diego and know her legacy will endure through the many programs, partnerships and people she has influenced.
In deepest gratitude,
