Heather Hage

A deep believer in the power of public education and research to transform lives, Heather served the State University of New York for 17 years before assuming leadership of the GI in 2021. At SUNY Research Foundation, Heather oversaw innovation and partnerships for the SUNY System’s 64-campus enterprise, with management responsibility to empower SUNY faculty, staff, and students to engage industry in the SUNY mission to learn, to search, and to serve.  ​

HEATHER HAGE – As President & CEO of the Griffiss Institute (GI), Heather led the strategy and support operations for the standup of the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate’s innovative “beyond the fence” R&D and incubator facilities at Innovare Advancement Center in Rome, NY.  ​

A graduate of Hamilton College and Albany Law School, where she was Managing Editor of the Journal of Science and Technology, Heather’s professional background includes high-value technology transfer transactions, intellectual property policy, strategic planning, venture development, and the practice of law before New York State and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Heather is the recipient of various honors and awards, including SUNY’s 2015 Woman of Excellence award for outstanding service, exemplary support of women in leadership, and a distinguished career.  ​

Most recently, Heather received the Mohawk Valley YWCA’s 2023 Salute to Outstanding Women for community leadership in STEAM and accepted two Business of the Year awards for the GI from the Mohawk Valley and Rome Area Chambers of Commerce in 2022. Heather has served on the board of directors of various nonprofit technology startup incubators and economic development organizations across New York State and is a currently a sitting board member for SUNY Polytechnic Institute Foundation and the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY-CREATES).  ​