Since its founding by Tim Rowe in 1999, CIC has experienced immense growth and change. What began with a small coworking space in Kendall Square has expanded to a global network of innovation campuses, consulting services, and innovation ecosystem activation programs with presences across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Tim brings decades of experience in the entrepreneurial and startup landscape, largely in the science and technology sectors. Since founding the company in 1999, he has grown CIC from a single 2,700 SF location in Kendall Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts to a global company.
Tim’s principal focus is on the expansion of CIC’s global network of innovation hubs, including their strategy and design. He is also leading several new strategic initiatives for CIC, and he chairs Venture Cafe, the global entrepreneurship community activation program.
Earlier in his career, Tim co-founded and served as founding chair of MassRobotics, the world’s largest shared robotics innovation facility, LabCentral, the world’s largest shared wet lab, and the Kendall Square Association, the organization charting the future of ”the world’s most innovative square mile”, the innovation district surrounding MIT. He also served as a Lecturer at MIT, a Principal with the Boston Consulting Group, an Analyst at the Mitsubishi Research Institute, and a Venture Partner at New Atlantic Ventures.
Tim is an inaugural honoree in The Boston Globe’s Tech Power Players 50 list (2022), the recipient of The Margaret Fuller House 2022 Lt. Kinney Award for Exceptional Community Service, a past Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, and a Boston Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. In 2024, he received the Foreign Minster’s Award from the Japanese Consulate for his contributions to the promotion of economic exchange between Japan and the United States. In 2025 he co-authored the World Economic Forum’s seminal report Innovation Ecosystems: A Toolkit of Principles and Best Practice.
Tim is fluent in Spanish and Japanese, and holds an MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management and a BA from Amherst College.
As Vice Chair of CIC, Brian provides strategic leadership and guidance across the organization, drawing on his extensive experience in asset management and growth initiatives. In this role, he supports the executive team in shaping the long-term vision and cultivating key partnerships to advance the company’s objectives.
Brian served as President of CIC from 2010 to 2024, before transitioning to Vice Chair in 2025. In his capacity as President, Brian led CIC’s asset management efforts, collaborating closely with the expansion team and real estate partners to drive growth and operational success.
Brian is an experienced real estate executive and entrepreneur who has developed and managed a wide range of office, hospitality, retail, and residential projects during his career. He serves as Co-Chair of The Boston College Real Estate Council and is a member of A Better City. Brian was a founding member of the Board of the Kendall Square Association, founding Chair of Boston Harbor Now, and a former Chair of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries.
As CEO of CIC, Denyse oversees the overall management and strategic direction of the company, working closely with the executive and senior leadership teams to drive growth, profitability, and operational success.
Denyse was named CEO of CIC in December 2025. She became President of CIC in September 2024, after serving as Chief Operating Officer, where she managed day-to-day operations and drove operational efficiencies across departments. Denyse initially joined CIC as Chief People Officer in December 2022, where she built a world-class HR function by implementing strategies that empowered CIC’s fast-growing global team to operate at exceptional levels, while nurturing and developing the company’s unique culture.
Denyse is a versatile executive with leadership experience across multiple industries and disciplines including finance, human capital management, marketing, operations and consulting. She has worked with organizations of all sizes—from fast-growing startups to global enterprises—guiding teams through critical transitions. Denyse is a board member of the Kendall Square Association.
Victor leads CIC Catalyst, the company’s advisory and consulting branch. After serving as a strategic advisor for CIC, he became the organization’s first Chief Innovation Officer in February 2024. In December 2025, he additionally assumed the role of President, CIC Catalyst. Under his leadership, CIC Catalyst focuses on two key areas of service: Advisory & Expansion and Programming; all supporting entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, government, investors, and other institutions, as well as property owners around the world in activating and strengthening their innovation ecosystems.
Victor brings over 20 years of experience in innovation, technology, and startup ecosystems worldwide. He has served as an innovation strategy advisor for governments and companies, shaping high-impact programs and initiatives. During his 12-year tenure at the World Bank, Victor led startup and smart cities policy programs across multiple countries, driving the development of thriving startup ecosystems and smart cities worldwide. His work helped shape national innovation policies, establish startup support frameworks, and advance technology-driven urban development. He spearheaded several landmark World Bank initiatives, including the Disruptive Technology for Development Program in the President’s Office, the Internal Innovation Acceleration Program at the Innovation Lab, and the Tokyo Development Learning Center in Japan.
Victor serves on advisory committees for national startup ecosystem policies under Japan’s Cabinet Office and is a Startup Fellow for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. He is also a Visiting Research Scientist at the Center for Radical Transformation at Chiba Institute of Technology. Throughout his career, he has authored and contributed to leading research on startup ecosystems, innovation, and technology-driven competitiveness.
Michelle Ottey, PhD, is the President of CIC Campuses and Labs, overseeing an international network of innovation campuses across the US, Europe, and Asia.
Michelle joined CIC in January 2022, bringing her expertise to CIC Philadelphia as Managing Director. In January of 2024, she moved into the role of VP, US Labs and Centers, and expanded her remit in February of 2025 to oversee all centers as the Global Head of Centers and Labs. In December 2025 she was named President, CIC Campuses and Labs.
Michelle is a dedicated genetics and cell biology professional and a native of Philadelphia. She earned her PhD in Genetics from Thomas Jefferson University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
In June 2006, Michelle joined Fairfax Cryobank, where she rose to the positions of Director of Operations and Lab Director. During her fifteen-year tenure, she played a pivotal role in building strong, effective, and efficient teams, while also serving on the Medical Advisory Board and acting as the company’s spokesperson.
A genetics and cell biology expert with deep operational leadership experience, she has led high-performing teams in both laboratory and corporate settings.
Our leadership team at CIC is the driving force behind our success, guiding us on one shared mission—to fix the world through innovation. To learn more about CIC or how we might work together, contact us.
