Beth Kolko

Beth Kolko

Senior Advisor at Responsible Innovation Labs
Seattle, Washington, United States

Beth Kolko is currently Board Advisor at Leviathan Security Group, Investment Partner at Pioneer Fund, Senior Advisor at Responsible Innovation Labs, and Professor and Director of SECURE Center at University of Washington. She founded Hackademia and Shift Labs, with Shift Labs having been acquired. Her expertise includes human-centered design, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven innovation.

  • Responsible Innovation Labs Senior Advisor 2025–present · current
  • Leviathan Security Group Board Advisor 2023–present · current
  • Pioneer Fund Investment Partner 2019–present · current
  • University of Washington logo
    University of Washington Professor, Director of SECURE Center 2001–present · current
  • Tall Poppy Advisor 2024–2025 · past
  • Pack VC Venture Partner 2021–2024 · past
  • Makerbot Foundation Director of Innovation 2013 · past
  • Shift Labs Chairperson, Board Of Directors 2012–2024 · past
  • Shift Labs (acquired 2023) Co-Founder and CEO 2012–2023 · past
  • Leviathan Security Advisory Board member 2011–2014 · past
  • Hackademia Founder 2009–2025 · past
  • Harvard Law School Faculty Associate, Berkman Center for Internet and Society 2007–2019 · past
  • Harvard University Fellow, Berkman Center 2007–2009 · past
  • Microsoft Visiting Faculty Researcher 2007 · past

Education

  • Oberlin College Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  • The University of Texas at Austin PhD, English
  • Y Combinator

Organizations

See all 14
  • Responsible Innovation Labs Senior Advisor 2025–present · current
  • Leviathan Security Group Board Advisor 2023–present · current
  • Pioneer Fund Investment Partner 2019–present · current

Education

  • Oberlin College Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  • The University of Texas at Austin PhD, English
  • Y Combinator

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