April 23rd, 2008 by Mike Macadaan

Krisztina “Z” Holly on Showoff Selection Panel (1)

Krisztina “Z” Holly is vice provost for innovation at the University of Southern California and executive director for the USC Stevens Institute for Innovation, where she spearheads the development of programs and approaches to help faculty and students bring innovations to society and develop their skills as innovators.

Raised in Los Angeles, Holly headed east to Boston more than twenty years ago to earn her master’s and bachelor’s degrees at MIT in mechanical engineering. In 2005, USC recruited Krisztina back to Los Angeles to lead USC Stevens, a university-wide institute in the office of the Provost, designed to harness the creative thinking and imaginative work at the University of Southern California’s college, 17 professional schools, and research programs to build a multidisciplinary approach to innovation.

Holly brings to USC her experience as an engineer, serial entrepreneur, and founding executive director of MIT’s Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation, where she oversaw the distribution of $5 million in grants, engaged more than 250 faculty and students, and spawned nine startup companies that successfully raised $40 million in capital. Holly is an avid surfer, mountain biker, and backcountry skier, and loves the diversity, food, and creative culture in Los Angeles.

Related: Pete Cashmore of Mashable on Showoff Selection Panel