- The hallmarks of great communities include a sense of belongingness, power, and the ability to effect change.
- Dr. Jolly will explore concrete ways that foundations and philanthropists, strengthen the fabric of our community.
Eric joined Minnesota Philanthropy Partners in 2015, after 11 years as the president and CEO of the highly esteemed Science Museum of Minnesota. He is a former Kellogg Leadership Fellow, where he studied international philanthropy and first wrote professionally about the realities and differences between donor interests and community need. His work leading MN Partners gives him the opportunity to apply his unique perspective, which has been honed over the years through service on many prestigious boards and councils.
Eric has a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Oklahoma, and is chair of the National Academies of Science Expert STEM Panel, where he advances national policy in education especially for engineering and the STEM disciplines. He has a background in higher education and has lectured around the world on the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education in contemporary societies.
The binding theme of his professional experience has been the human experience and expanding his sphere of influence to give voice to those without. Eric moved to the Twin Cities in 2004 to take the Science Museum of Minnesota leadership position and likely will never leave St. Paul: “It’s tame enough for the elder in me, curious enough for the professor in me, and community oriented enough for the change-agent in me.”