David Epstein

Dave is the Executive Director of the Susilo Institute for Ethics in a Global Economy and a Professor of Practice at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. Dave is involved in promoting ethical, environmental and social awareness and actions in relation to business, engineering, education, the environment and political arenas. Along with teaching ethics at Boston University, he has taught ethics in his finance and entrepreneurship classes at the University of San Francisco, University of California, Berkeley, Menlo College and several other universities. Recently, Dave completed a year at Stanford University as a Distinguished Careers Institute Fellow.

As an advisor and investor at Epstein Advisors Dave continues to be active in the entrepreneurial world. He interests include clean tech, semiconductors, health care, and socially responsible enterprises.

Previously, Dave was co-founder and CEO of Merlyn.AI , CEO of Sol Voltaics in Sweden, in management at Orbital Systems. As a General Partner at Crosslink Capital, Dave was an active VC in Silicon Valley. He has also served in management and CEO positions at more than a half a dozen startups. Dave began his career at Data General as a computer designer, chronicled in Tracy Kidder’s Pulitzer Prize winning “Soul of a New Machine.”

Recognized with a Distinguished Achievement Award in 2021 and previously as one of the 125 People of Impact on the 125th anniversary of the University of Wisconsin Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dave has served on its Visiting Advisory Board. Dave and his wife Sarah established an Ethics in Engineering initiative, raising awareness of the ethical and social consequences of technological advancements and how engineers can responsibly affect society. Sarah and he also serve on the University of Wisconsin Global Health Institute Board of Visitors focusing on equitable and sustainable health in our world of changing climates. Dave is a co-author of a business book and is named on 13 patents.

Education

• MBA Boston University
• MSEE University of Wisconsin
• BSEE University of Wisconsin

Selected Publications

• Epstein, D., Ross, A. (2015). "Advice Work If You Can Get It", Self

Awards And Honors

• 2021, Distinguished Achievement Award