For more than half a century, Richard Larson has been a guiding force at MIT, lending his expertise, passion, and forward-looking vision to some of the Institute’s most impactful academic initiatives. Now, his dedication has taken on a permanent form with the establishment of a new endowed faculty chair — the Distinguished Professorship in Data, Systems, and Society. This gift, announced by the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS), reflects Richard’s enduring belief in the transformative power of interdisciplinary thinking and problem-solving. More than just a financial endowment, the professorship is a gesture of intellectual continuity, aiming to empower future faculty leaders who operate at the convergence of data, systems, and societal impact. The inaugural holder of this prestigious professorship is Sasha Rakhlin, an acclaimed scholar and professor at IDSS and the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. Rakhlin’s research spans machine learning, online prediction, and statistical theory — areas that precisely embody the ethos of the IDSS. By supporting Rakhlin and future faculty members, Richard’s gift ensures that MIT remains a fertile ground for interdisciplinary discovery, innovation, and mentorship. This endowed chair not only commemorates Richard’s multifaceted career at MIT but also projects his values into the Institute’s future. Richard, who has been affectionately called an “MIT lifer,” sees this professorship as an extension of his own academic journey. Having served in five different MIT departments over the decades, he found a lasting intellectual home in IDSS, an entity that harmoniously aligns with his interests in operations research, public systems, education, and policy. With this gift, Richard aims to preserve and propagate the interdepartmental and interdisciplinary approach that has defined his career and character. Honoring a Multi-Disciplinary Academic Journey The creation of the Distinguished Professorship in Data, Systems, and Society is not merely the act of philanthropic giving. According to Richard Larson, it is an embodiment of the ideas and principles that have driven his academic life. As he reflects on his decades at MIT, Richard acknowledges how the Institute not only tolerated but encouraged his several mid-career transitions — allowing him to shift his academic focus and explore emerging disciplines. Starting in what was then known as Electrical Engineering in the 1960s, Richard evolved with the times and ended his formal tenure in IDSS, a program tailor-made for someone whose career has intersected engineering, public systems, operations research, and education policy. Richard remarks that the three words — data, systems, society — capture the essence of his professional mission. Through his professorship, he hopes these words will continue to energize future scholars, inspiring them to conduct impactful research, deliver high-quality teaching, and engage meaningfully with society’s pressing challenges. Whether working on queueing theory or disaster planning, modeling energy consumption or developing online learning platforms, Richard has consistently applied a systems-thinking lens to real-world problems. This legacy is now institutionalized through a professorship that encourages the same kind of integrative academic pursuit. In keeping with his lifelong devotion to applied knowledge and education, Richard’s most recent book, Model Thinking for Everyday Life, bridges theory and practice by demonstrating how models can help people make smarter decisions in daily contexts. His other influential projects, like MIT BLOSSOMS (Blended Learning Open Source Science or Math Studies), reflect his unyielding commitment to spreading STEM education globally. The endowed professorship thus adds a new chapter to his story — one where the next generation can build upon his values and contributions. Supporting Future Generations of Thinkers and Leaders Appointed as the first holder of the newly created chair, Professor Sasha Rakhlin exemplifies the kind of scholar Richard hoped to support. A leader in machine learning and computational statistics, Rakhlin has pioneered tools for online prediction — a method of sequential learning with implications for real-time decision-making and adaptive systems. His research, grounded in theory yet resonant with practical applications, is precisely the kind of work that thrives in IDSS’s interdisciplinary ecosystem. Fotini Christia, Director of IDSS and the Ford International Professor of Political Science, sees Richard’s gift as both a tribute and a beacon. Richard has been making an impact at MIT for over half a century,” she notes. “This gift extends his already considerable legacy and ensures his impact will continue to be felt for many years to come.” Christia’s words underline the profound influence Richard has had, not just through his scholarship but through his vision for institutional excellence and renewal. The significance of the professorship also extends beyond IDSS. Michale Fee, head of the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, praised Rakhlin’s work for bridging disciplines and uniting diverse areas of inquiry. “Sasha’s analysis of neural network complexity, and his work developing tools for online prediction, are perfect examples of research which builds bridges across disciplines,” he said. Such cross-pollination is central to both IDSS and Richard’s academic philosophy. Rakhlin, in accepting the honor, expressed gratitude and humility: “Professor Richard’s commitment to education and service to MIT both serve as models to follow,” he said. Data, Systems, Society: More Than Just Words To Richard, data, systems, and society is not just the name of an institute — it’s a philosophy of academic purpose. His own contributions to urban service systems, including emergency response modeling, pandemic planning, and workforce logistics, serve as foundational examples of this approach. From designing smarter cities to transforming how students learn globally, his work embodies a dedication to societal betterment via systemic thinking. This new professorship ensures that these ideas remain front and center at MIT. By funding a senior faculty position in IDSS, Richard is investing not only in academic talent but in the continuation of interdisciplinary dialogue that is essential in today’s complex, data-rich world. At a time when the boundaries between disciplines are increasingly blurred, this chair stands as a symbol of convergence — uniting engineering, policy, computation, and social science. Richard’s endowment also reflects a broader trend in higher education where faculty support is critical for attracting and retaining top academic talent. Such endowed chairs are key mechanisms through

The universal hum of ambition resonates within us all. From the first spark of an idea to the grandest aspirations, we as humans are propelled by the desire to climb, to achieve, to reach that shimmering horizon of success. Yet, for all the striving, only a select few truly make it to the pinnacle. What sets them apart? It’s more than just effort; it’s a profound commitment and the vision to develop powerful frameworks that transform dreams into tangible realities. This thought has been a catalyst for Vinod Bhatt, Head of Supply Chain, HP (India). Vinod’s career began in 1994 with a clear intent—to build operational frameworks that drive sustainable business advantage. He was drawn to operational disciplines because they have a unique ability to transform business strategy into real, measurable outcomes. Early experiences at Unilever, LG, Hughes Telecom, and Nortel Networks helped shape his understanding of end-to-end supply chain management in fast-paced, dynamic industries. The defining phase of his career began when he joined HP in 2007. Beyond the global scale and brand stature, what stood out immediately was HP’s deep-rooted culture of transformation. He shares, “I had the privilege of contributing to several pivotal milestones in HP’s history—from large-scale acquisitions and strategic integrations—reshaping our global supply chain from a regional construct to a market-centric model.” He drives HP India’s commitment to customer-centricity and operational excellence. The Ideology that Defines the True Meaning of Leadership More recently, Vinod has led teams through the transformation journey towards a digitally enabled, customer-first operating model anchored in resilience and sustainability—key pillars of HP’s growth strategy and competitive edge. He remains truly inspired by HP’s purpose-driven ethos and values-based leadership, committed not only to driving profitable growth but also to creating long-term value for the planet and people. In essence, these experiences reaffirmed Vinod’s belief that supply chain is far more than an operational backbone—it is a strategic engine powering resilience, growth, and customer experience. That belief continues to fuel his commitment to this profession. Vinod’s leadership philosophy emphasizes the fundamentals of Always Accountable Best in Class Competitive Spirit These principles serve as a compass that guides not only day-to-day operations but also drives tactical and strategic decisions to bring value to the business. Vinod reflects HP’s core leadership values: Start with the customer, develop the team, own the outcome. He expresses, “My leadership philosophy is rooted in transformation: not just setting the standard through personal example but cultivating leadership within the team. To me, true leadership transcends hierarchy; it’s about clarity of purpose, empowering individuals to take ownership of their journey, and fostering an environment where people can thrive.” Vinod is a firm believer in the ethos of “Doing it Right rather than Right Now.” He understands that thoughtful and integrity-driven decisions matter more than short-term wins. At HP, while the leadership structure has evolved, the behaviors and values remain enduring and ingrained in the company culture, which has profoundly shaped his career path. He has led pivotal initiatives such as driving HP India’s Customer-Centricity principle across the supply chain, embedding agility, responsiveness, and end-user alignment into core operations. Under his leadership, the supply chain has been positioned as a strategic growth enabler—through close collaboration with Sales to influence customer decision-making and drive business wins. He has also played a key role in enhancing customer visibility into HP’s global scale, operational resilience, and sustainability impact. “For us, it is not just about products, but how those products go into the hands of customers in a completely sustainable manner – via an entire sustainable supply chain of green warehouses and low carbon emission options,” shares Vinod. Throughout this journey, he has drawn inspiration from leaders who emphasized continuous learning, bold thinking, and the ability to convert operational capabilities into strategic advantage—principles that continue to inform his leadership approach today. Comprehensive Fundamentals Behind the Scenes From Vinod’s perspective, supply chain management has decisively transformed from being a traditional support function to a strategic differentiator in today’s business landscape, focusing on agility, resilience and sustainable value creation across the enterprise. In an environment marked by extreme volatility, geopolitical & macroeconomic challenges, and constantly evolving consumer expectations, an agile and resilient supply chain is essential to deliver on brand reliability, profitable growth, and best-in-class customer experience. He elaborates on the fact that, “At HP, the supply chain has played a pivotal role in sustaining operational continuity during global disruptions and overcoming those challenges to deliver on operational excellence and customer promise. Today, a high-performing supply chain isn’t one that merely responds to challenges; it’s one that anticipates risks, capitalizes on opportunities, and positions the organization to deliver consistently on its business priorities and customer commitments.” A Vital Leadership Trait “Resilience isn’t built overnight—it’s an intentional, structural commitment, and it cannot be improvised during a crisis, shares Vinod, and further adds, “Resilience frameworks pivot on several key strategies: De-risking geographical and supplier concentration to reduce over-reliance on specific nodes Balancing working capital efficiency with resilience — optimizing inventory buffers, strategic stocking, and agile inventory practices Building real-time e2e visibility through integrated data ecosystems connecting suppliers, logistics partners, and customers Forging strategic supplier partnerships for mutual resilience and collaborative crisis response Adopting agile fulfilment models, including regional hubs, cross-docking, and multi-modal options Embedding organizational resilience through structured crisis management frameworks, resilience KPIs, and business continuity playbooks.” HP’s leadership team embodies this ideology, enabling the company to proactively navigate volatility while ensuring operational continuity through a multi-layered strategy, driving agility and resilience as core levers of business impact. Leveraging the Emerging Trends of Technology Emerging technologies are fundamentally re-architecting how supply chains operate and create value. It’s no longer about incremental improvements—it’s about enabling structural shifts in resilience, agility, sustainability and customer-centricity. Key areas undergoing this significant transformation include optimizing resource management, where digital platforms help organizations use resources more efficiently and keep better track of products throughout the supply chain. Furthermore, the application of predictive analytics, heavily reliant on AI and machine learning, enables proactive risk management and

Every successful human endeavor is a saga wherein inspiration is inbuilt at the very foundation of the journey, throughout. Like the quote in Darrick “DJ” Johnson’s email signature says: “The highest human act is to inspire.” — Ermias Asghedom. That is DJ’s mission—to inspire through action, access, and effort. “If I can do that, both professionally and personally, then I know I’m walking in purpose,” he insists. Because, when he thinks about his broader purpose, he always aspires to create the greatest possible positive impact, professionally and personally. For DJ, it’s always been bigger than just the job or the title — it’s about creating a legacy of access, belief, and opportunity. He’s from Compton, California, a place where the odds weren’t built in their favor. However, he made a promise early on: if he ever made it out, he’d reach back and build platforms, not just resumes. That mindset has shaped everything he does — from his work in big tech to founding Sherpa Clouds Inc., a software company built to empower sports agents and teams with data, insights, and tools that have traditionally been out of reach for so many. Divine Detour: From Cloud Sales to Calling When asked what drew him to focus on the intersection of data, AI, and human potential, DJ says, “To be honest, it wasn’t something I intentionally set out to pursue — it felt more like a divine detour than a carefully mapped-out plan.” Like many people in tech, he originally aimed to sell cloud infrastructure because that’s where the money was. But as the saying goes, ‘You make plans, and God laughs.’ DJ was fortunate enough to be one of the first AI-focused sellers hired at Microsoft, and that experience placed him right at the intersection of AI and data. He witnessed firsthand how emerging technology could transform industries, not just in theory, but in real-world use cases. That exposure pushed him to deepen his understanding: He went back to school, earned his master’s degree from Georgetown University, and even took computer science courses at Grand Canyon University to learn how to code. The Birth of Sherpa: Turning a Pivot into Purpose Those experiences sparked curiosity. DJ started wondering: “Why aren’t more people exploring the intersection of technology and sports? Why aren’t we equipping agents and teams with the tools they need to make smarter decisions for the players they serve?” That led him to build Sherpa, a modern CRM, or what DJ calls a PRM (Player Relationship Management System). After 15 years of playing football, running his own agency, and working with some of the biggest software companies in the world, he realized this wasn’t just a pivot — it was purpose. In DJ’s words, he didn’t find this path — it found him. And now he’s all in. Whether he’s mentoring, speaking, or building tech, he wants people to see what’s possible. “I want them to know that the journey from adversity to innovation is real. Or as I call it:” “From Compton to the Cloud: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures!” Being a Technology Executive, while learning and building AI & Data Platforms, DJ’s professional journey has spanned dynamic roles in technology and leadership. However, growing up playing sports taught him one lesson he’s carried into every stage of his career: effort is the one thing you can always control. In both sports and tech, there are plenty of uncontrollable — layoffs, office politics, product setbacks—but DJ has learned to focus on how he shows up. That means being on time, showing up as a true team player, never assuming he’s the smartest in the room, and always striving to be just 1% better every day. That mindset has taken him far, from roles at Dell, SonicWall, Cloudera, Apple, and Microsoft to now building his own SaaS company, Sherpa. “Effort got me here. And effort will keep me here,” he emphasizes. DJ has been in tech since 2012, right after returning from the CFL. “But the true turning point came when Jason Carter, now CRO at SonicWall, gave me my first real shot. He hired me as an ISR and later promoted me to Account Executive.” That role changed everything. DJ learned not just how to sell cybersecurity solutions, but how to think critically about how customers protect, store, and leverage their data. He shares, “Now, I’d be lying if I said I foresaw generative AI back in 2015 — but what I did recognize was that every customer cared deeply about three things: How will we protect our data? Where will we store our data? How can we do more with our data?” Fast forward to today — everyone’s talking about AI. But what people often overlook is this: AI is only as good as the data it’s built on. If AI is the quarterback of the team, data is the offensive line. And no matter how talented the quarterback is, they can’t operate without protection. That analogy has stayed with DJ throughout his career because in both football and tech, the fundamentals matter most. Leading with Faith, Anchored by Family DJ lives by four core principles: Faith, Family, Health, and Wealth — and he carries these with him in every decision he makes, especially as a leader. Faith is about believing — not just spiritually, but in the mission, in the people you lead, and in the vision you’re building toward. Leading in tech requires faith that what you’re working on will matter, and that your team will execute when it counts. Family has always been DJ’s anchor. He’s worked at some incredible organizations, and learned that what truly defines a company is its culture. He treats his team like family “because at the end of the day, we’re all more than just titles — we’re parents, sons, daughters, and friends.” Health keeps him grounded. If he’s not well physically, mentally, or emotionally, he can’t lead others. And Wealth to him isn’t just about money — it’s