Mark Kennedy has had an impressive career, serving as a Congressman, advising Presidents on international trade, and now as the President of the University of Colorado. He has a background in business, having worked for both Accenture and Macy's, and is also an author, having written a book about business engagement with society in the age of activism. Kennedy is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Commission on Innovation and Competitiveness Frontiers.

Kennedy has a record of effective collaboration with individuals from different political parties, and his insights into business strategy draw from his extensive experiences. He introduced and jointly led several pieces of legislation during his time as a congressman, and his concept of "Shapeholders" in business strategy has been praised by commentators such as CNN's John King and Fox News' Fred Barnes.

Kennedy has a Bachelor of Science degree from Saint John's University and an MBA from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. He has served as the President of the University of North Dakota, Director and Professor at the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University, and Executive in Residence at Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School. He is also the founder and former chairman of the Economic Club of Minnesota.