Board of Trustees Events

Donald R. Leavens, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, holds a Ph.D. in economics from George Mason University.  He also received a master’s degree in economics from Virginia Tech and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Virginia.

At NEMA, he heads a quantitative analysis division known as NEMA Business Intelligence, which provides econometric modeling, macroeconomic forecasting, market research, economic analysis, and industry data collection services to a wide range of businesses including many of the world’s largest companies.  He is a frequent speaker at industry and company events where he focuses on the economic outlook and business trends.

In addition, he serves as an observer on the board of the Industry Data Exchange Association, IDEA, which operates an industry data warehouse and EDI services for the electrical industry.

Prior to joining NEMA, he served as Director Tax Policy Research for the National Association of Realtors and Director Federal Budget Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and has held academic appointments at George Mason University and Virginia Tech. He has also written articles on public choice and public finance economics that have appeared in academic journals and has contributed articles to several books.  In addition, he has served as a member of the Governor of Virginia’s Advisory Board of Economists.

Dr. Shawn DuBravac is author of the New York Times Best Seller Digital Destiny: How the New Age of Data Will Transform the Way We Work, Live, and Communicate (Regnery, 2015), which explores how the world’s mass adoption of digital technologies portends the beginning of a new era for humanity in the realms of business, healthcare, finance, transportation and culture.

DuBravac is a well-regarded futurist and trendcaster who writes frequently on disruptive technological shifts. He advises companies and C-level executives on market opportunities and industry strategy. He is president and founder of Avrio Institute which provides consulting, research and advisory services to CxOs on a myriad of topics including digital transformation strategies, business model disruptions, the pace of technological change and overcoming myopic thinking.

For over a dozen years DuBravac served as chief economist for the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the U.S. trade association representing more than 2,000 consumer tech companies and owner and producer of CES.

Founder, Mehlman Consulting; formerly Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Technology Policy; Policy Director and General Counsel to the House Republican Conference under Rep. J.C. Watts (R-OK); and General Counsel to the National Republican Congressional

With nearly three decades experience in public policy, business and the law, Bruce helps leaders and organizations understand, anticipate and navigate political risk.

Mehlman is a highly sought-after keynote speaker on policy and political trends, regularly headlining business conferences and strategic planning sessions. His quarterly infographic analyses are consistently picked-up by national media and eagerly consumed by tens of thousands of readers around the world. Television networks and shows including Showtime’s The Circus, CNBC, Fox News, Fox Business and Hearst often ask Bruce to appear to discuss trends and their implications.

Bruce previously served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Technology Policy under President George W. Bush. He also worked as a senior leadership aide in the House of Representatives, general counsel to a national political party committee and policy counsel to Cisco Systems.

Bruce is widely-regarded as an expert in running coalitions, quarterbacking issue campaigns and managing C-suite associations, bringing innovative approaches and determined execution to achieve impactful outcomes. An Adjunct Professor and Board Member of The Washington Campus, Bruce frequently lectures MBA candidates on “effective business-government relations.” He was a 2021 fellow at the Harvard University Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership. Bruce serves on the advisory boards of start-up companies including FiscalNote, iLearningEngines and Virtru, in addition to serving on the Boards of The Center for Democracy & Technology, The Washington Campus and the State Science & Technology Institute.

Bruce earned a BA degree from Princeton University and a JD from the University of Virginia Law School where he served on the Virginia Law Review.

Matthias Bolling, based in Boston, supports industrial, technology, and private equity clients and organizations with a global manufacturing footprint. He is active in Egon Zehnder’s Industrial and Technology practices, with particular expertise in digital transformation. Matthias guides recruitment for CEOs, general management leaders expanding into commercial and operational functions. He also provides a range of leadership development services, including management appraisal and accelerated integration of transitioning executives.

Prior to joining Egon Zehnder, Matthias was COO North America for TUV Rheinland, a global leader in the testing, inspection and certification services market. Previously, Matthias held global leadership roles at Danaher Corporation in industrial and consumer product businesses. Earlier, Matthias held positions at Lucent Technologies and was responsible for Business Development at Bosch Telecom in Eastern European markets. Matthias began his professional career at a start-up technology company in Germany.

Matthias has an M.Eng in electrical engineering from the University of Applied Sciences in Esslingen, Germany, and an MBA from Columbia University. He is passionate about cycling, soccer, and disruptive technology.