The Boyd Institute is entering a period of transition. At the end of October, Peter Banks will step down as President, and William Miller will also be departing. I’m grateful to both for helping build Boyd over the past year. We part on good terms, and they’ll remain part of the Boyd community.
When Peter and Will joined, we envisioned it as a short-term experiment. It went so well that we extended it for a year, with a plan to evaluate at the end. That’s where we are now.
Both have made meaningful contributions. Peter helped sharpen our strategy, wrote our most popular essay ever, and pioneered our essay contests. Will improved operations, led research that grounded each sprint in facts, and made incredible charts that I honestly think are Pulitzer-worthy. I recommend each of them in the strongest terms.
But the results haven’t justified our cost structure. We knew from the outset that our bar for success was high, and Peter and I agree this is the right moment for a change. We’re working together to make the transition as smooth as possible.
For now, I’ll lead our editorial work as we finish the healthcare sprint. To keep our focus during the transition, we’re canceling the essay contest, and we’ve already contacted those who submitted. Instead, over the next several weeks, we’ll publish a series of provocative contributed essays focused on improving American healthcare. I’m excited about them.
The plan is to spend October completing the transition and lining up essays, November closing out the healthcare sprint and reflecting on Boyd’s direction, and December setting priorities for 2027.
One advantage of being a small, independent institution is that we can experiment, learn, and adapt. I expect Boyd to look different next year, likely leaner and more decentralized.
The mission hasn’t changed. We’re still here to generate fresh ideas about America’s future. I believe that shifting our political culture toward solving real problems matters more than ever, and I’m looking forward to figuring out the best, most asymmetric way to do it.
If you care about this work and want to help shape what Boyd becomes, whether as a thought partner or donor, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to email me directly at [email protected].
I’ll share more as our plans take shape.
Thanks for your support,
Jeff
You have done amazing work, and congratulations on all you have accomplished with the team! Cheering for you. (PS- I am headed back to the US, so I will be rooting for you from the stateside from now on!)