About
The Office of Innovation and Strategy advances MIT’s cross-disciplinary initiatives that turn research into impact.
As the administrative home for MIT’s presidential strategic initiatives, OIS provides the structure and support that help these efforts move quickly and effectively. Each initiative is led by its own faculty directors and dedicated staff, while OIS supplies shared resources in communications, industry engagement, finance and administration, and fundraising. Reporting through the provost’s office, OIS is positioned to strengthen alignment with Institute leadership and ensure these initiatives have what they need to deliver meaningful, long-term impact.


Accelerating cross-Cutting innovation
Advancing MIT’s strategic research priorities.
Created in 2024, the MIT Office of Innovation and Strategy was established to accelerate bold ideas across the Institute. As part of the Presidential Initiatives
led by President Sally Kornbluth, OIS connects research, education, and partnerships to turn visionary thinking into real-world outcomes.
Led by Anantha Chandrakasan
, MIT Provost and Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, OIS supports Institute-wide efforts that bring people together to tackle consequential problems—laying the groundwork for impact that endures.
A platform for faculty engagement, student opportunities, and industry collaboration
Institute-wide scope
Strategic initiatives span all five schools and the college
Catalyst role
From seed to scale, leveraging philanthropy and industry engagement to create centers and build programs
Community building
Supporting students, postdocs, faculty with fellowships, grants, events, internships, and more
Industry partnerships
Bringing resources and real-world impact to MIT research

“At MIT, progress happens when people with different perspectives come together around important problems. The Office of Innovation and Strategy exists to help create those connections—and to support the ideas that grow from them.”
Anantha Chandrakasan, MIT Provost
People
OIS Leadership
Anantha Chandrakasan
MIT Provost
Mary Ellen Sinkus
Assistant Provost for Finance
OIS Team
Prerna Bhargava
Senior Program and Project Manager
Maeve Downey
Program Coordinator
Tia Giurleo
Managing Director, Strategic Initiatives
Janna Greene
Senior Director of Development, Strategic Initiatives
Liam McDonnell
Director of Communications
Regina Niles
Director of Administration and Finance
Mary Ellen Sinkus
Assistant Provost for Finance
Marsha Warren
Senior Industry Engagement Officer
