Chike Aguh

Chike Aguh is the Head of Innovation and Strategy, Gap Closing Startups at the Kapor Center. A Fulbright Scholar, recognized authority on the future of work and economic opportunity, and the first person in the entire history of his family born in America, Chike was previously appointed by President Biden to be the Chief Innovation Officer at the US Department of Labor reporting to Deputy Secretary and later Acting Secretary Julie Su. He led efforts to use data, emerging technologies (AI, quantum computing, cybersecurity, etc.), and innovative practice to advance/protect American workers. These efforts included creating the department’s first enterprise data strategy, serving a pivotal role in the $2B modernization of the nation’s unemployment insurance system, and serving as the DOL’s designee to the National Space Council.

He has also served as a teacher and policy official in America’s largest school system; corporate strategy director at higher education technology company EAB; non-profit CEO who helped connect 500,000 low-income Americans to affordable internet and digital skills; and Director of Strategy/Future of Work Lead at the McChrystal Group, a business advisory firm founded by Gen. (ret.) Stanley McChrystal. Across all of his various current and previous roles, Chike has been committed to an economy that creates opportunity for all just like America did for him.

Chike holds degrees from Tufts University (B.A.), Harvard Graduate School of Education (Ed.M), Harvard Kennedy School (MPA), and University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School (MBA). He is a life member at the Council on Foreign Relations, Presidential Leadership Scholar; 40 under 40 honoree from Wharton and Washington Business Journal; board member of American Student Assistance, one of the country’s largest education and skills philanthropies; Board of Advisors member of the University College of Tufts University; Young Leader with the American Swiss Foundation and former member of the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Board. Chike and his work have been featured at/in the White House, Harvard, Wharton, Fast Company, Forbes, Fortune and Wired Magazine.

Chike was appointed by Gov. Wes Moore Vice Chair of the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Additionally, he is founder of the Aguh Workforce Scholarship at Prince George’s Community College and advisor to Prince George’s County focused philanthropy Pull-Up Fund. Chike, his wife and their children are proud Marylanders, Prince Georgians, spend significant time in Greater Baltimore and are members of Zion Church in Greenbelt, MD.