Thomas Cowan
Thomas Cowan now makes his home at Columbia University. This follows the first half of his career at IBM, and the second half building software companies.
Tom rose through the leadership ranks to become CEO, Board Director, and Board Chair of more than ten companies – including public, private, not-for-profit, and academic organizations.
Today, Tom’s focus is on strategy, technology, and leadership – with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and the strategies & leadership required for the future.
He has served on numerous boards, including OutlookSoft, Tivoli, Tagetik, PGA.com, and NHL.com. He has chaired audit, compensation, governance, and nominating committees. He has also been Executive in Residence at RockRidge Capital Partners.
Currently, Tom is on the faculty at Columbia University, where he teaches strategy, leadership & management, and entrepreneurship.
Tom serves as board director and board chair for several technology companies, along with advising CEOs and investment firms.
Tom also directs and teaches in Columbia’s CEO Continuous Learning Program.
Tom rose through the leadership ranks to become CEO, Board Director, and Board Chair of more than ten companies – including public, private, not-for-profit, and academic organizations.
Today, Tom’s focus is on strategy, technology, and leadership – with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and the strategies & leadership required for the future.
He has served on numerous boards, including OutlookSoft, Tivoli, Tagetik, PGA.com, and NHL.com. He has chaired audit, compensation, governance, and nominating committees. He has also been Executive in Residence at RockRidge Capital Partners.
Currently, Tom is on the faculty at Columbia University, where he teaches strategy, leadership & management, and entrepreneurship.
Tom serves as board director and board chair for several technology companies, along with advising CEOs and investment firms.
Tom also directs and teaches in Columbia’s CEO Continuous Learning Program.
His books include: Strategy Workbook (2nd ed. Dec 2022), Business Plan Workbook (2nd ed. Jan 2023), and Introduction to Technology Management (1st ed. May 2023). His next books are: Leading in the Digital Age (2nd ed. late 2023) and Mindset of the Tech Entrepreneur (1st ed. 2024). He has also published a non-business book: Basic Scales & Arpeggios: Horn in F (1st ed. 2019).
Tom’s academic background includes undergraduate work at Wake Forest University, an MBA from the University of South Carolina, and doctoral studies at Columbia University.
When not involved in any of the above, you will find Tom flying – a lifelong passion.
Tom’s academic background includes undergraduate work at Wake Forest University, an MBA from the University of South Carolina, and doctoral studies at Columbia University.
When not involved in any of the above, you will find Tom flying – a lifelong passion.