VCU news

The Virginia Biotechnology Research Park Authority Board has appointed Robert Ward as interim president and chief executive officer of Activation Capital, an innovation ecosystem development organization, effective today.

Ward is a senior executive with over 25 years of experience leading organizations, driving strategy and innovation, developing high-performing teams and executing complex transactions. He most recently has served as Virginia’s chief transformation officer, supporting agency secretaries with technologies to improve their operations. Prior to that, he was senior adviser to Gov. Glenn Youngkin. 

“We are excited to welcome Rob Ward as interim CEO of Activation Capital,” said Michael Rao, Ph.D, Virginia Commonwealth University president and Activation Capital board chair. “Rob brings extensive experience in corporate real estate and strategic development in his career at Skanska, a background that will help us advance Activation Capital’s mission and capital project priorities. As a Virginia Tech alumnus and Virginia resident, Rob understands Virginia and our strengths as an ideal location to grow pharmaceutical manufacturing and innovative biotechnology industries.”

Ward previously was president and CEO for Skanska Commercial Development U.S., where he set the strategic direction of the company while driving continuous improvement through operational effectiveness, efficiency and innovation. As CEO, he had responsibility for the investment, development and construction of more than $4.5 billion of commercial and residential assets across the country. 

Prior to becoming CEO, Ward served as chief operating officer for the organization. In that role, he led the U.S. Investment Committee as well as the Strategic Services Team, which included product innovation, technology, customer strategy, systems optimization, operational excellence, portfolio management and construction. Before serving as COO, Ward had direct oversight of offices/operations in the mid-Atlantic region, Houston, Texas and Los Angeles.

Ward’s career at Skanska began in the commercial construction division. He served on the executive leadership teams in both the mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets, where he focused on life science, pharmaceutical, higher education and federal government construction projects.

“I want to thank outgoing CEO Chandra Briggman for her leadership, and I look forward to furthering Activation Capital’s mission and priorities as interim CEO,” Ward said. “As the search continues for a CEO, I am committed to growing and fostering Activation Capital’s venture, ecosystem and pharmaceutical cluster development.”

Ward has served on real estate development and construction boards in the United States, Central Europe, the Nordics and the United Kingdom.

Ward is a graduate of Virginia Tech and an emeritus member of the advisory board for the Virginia Tech Program in Real Estate. He is a member of the Economic Club of Washington D.C. and has served on the board of directors for The First Tee.

Briggman resigned this month after serving as president and CEO of Activation Capital since May 2020.

About Activation Capital

Activation Capital is a leading innovation ecosystem development organization that provides social, knowledge and financial capital to clusters, entrepreneur support organizations and entrepreneurs, accelerating their progress through development and maturation. Activation Capital, an independent authority of the commonwealth of Virginia, is on a mission to grow life sciences and other advanced technology innovation by promoting scientific research, commercialization and ecosystem development that attracts and creates 21st-century jobs and companies. It operates the 34-acre Virginia Bio+Tech Park – the hub of life science and technology innovations in Central Virginia. It oversees the Cluster Accelerator for Advanced Pharmaceutical R&D and Manufacturing and supports developing and expanding the region’s startup ecosystem. For more information, visit www.activation.capital.