David Evans Shaw is CEO of Black Point Group, with wide-ranging interests in technology companies, impact investing and public service activism. His business creation, leadership, investment and board experience includes more than a dozen successful technology companies, employing more than 15,000 people worldwide, with a combined market valuation of tens of billions of dollars. These companies harness modern science to address important needs in healthcare and other markets.  Early in his career, Shaw helped build a leading global consulting firm in food and agriculture.

Shaw’s career has included extensive public service in science, arts, conservation and public policy.  He has served on the faculty of Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and the Visiting Committee of the MIT Media Lab.  He is a founding director of the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum, Chair-emeritus of The Jackson Laboratory, Treasurer emeritus of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and he has been a global leader in science-based conservation of nature as a trustee of the National Park Foundation, as founding chair of the Sargasso Sea Alliance and Aspen High Seas Initiative, as a Patron of Nature to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, as a member of Ocean Elders, and as founder of Shaw Innovation Fellows and Second Century Stewardship for America’s national parks.  He has served as a partner of Venrock Associates, on the board of Maine Medical Center, Hurricane Island Outward Bound, the scientific advisory board of Discovery Communications and Curiosity Stream, a member of the Executive Committee of the US-Israel Science and Technology Commission, YPO and CEO, a Fellow of The Explorers Club, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Leadership Council of the Service Year Alliance, and advisory councils of Just Capital, Polaris Venture Partners, Arctaris Impact Fund, Sustainable Harvest International, the Telluride Science and Research Center, Nautilus Media, Waterbear Media, Saildrone, Visby Medical, and the National Geographic Impact Story Lab.  He supports his advocacy interests with the production of documentary films and is the author of a 2024 book entitled Wave Making: Inspired By Impact.  Shaw is resident of the State of Maine along with his children and 12 grandchildren.

Shaw has been awarded honorary degrees by Colby College, Bates College, Maine College of Art, the University of New England, and the University of Southern Maine. He is a recipient of the Leslie Cheek Medal from the College of William & Mary.  Other honors have included induction into the Teddy Roosevelt Society, International SeaKeeper of Year, Blue Ocean Festival Wavemaker, Life Science Foundation Biotech Hall of Fame, honoree New York Restoration Project, UNH Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, Maine Creativity Center, and Maine Business Hall of Fame.  

David Evans Shaw is CEO of Black Point Group, with wide-ranging interests in technology companies, impact investing and public service activism. His business creation, leadership, investment and board experience includes more than a dozen successful technology companies, employing more than 15,000 people worldwide, with a combined market valuation of tens of billions of dollars. These companies harness modern science to address important needs in healthcare and other markets. &nbsp;Early in his career, Shaw helped build a leading global consulting firm in food and agriculture.
Shaw&rsquo;s career has included extensive public service in science, arts, conservation and public policy. &nbsp;He has served on the faculty of Harvard&rsquo;s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and the Visiting Committee of the MIT Media Lab. &nbsp;He is a founding director of the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum, Chair-emeritus of The Jackson Laboratory, Treasurer emeritus of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and he has been a global leader in science-based conservation of nature as a trustee of the National Park Foundation, as founding chair of the Sargasso Sea Alliance and Aspen High Seas Initiative, as a Patron of Nature to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, as a member of Ocean Elders, and as founder of Shaw Innovation Fellows and Second Century Stewardship for America&rsquo;s national parks. &nbsp;He has served as a partner of Venrock Associates, on the board of Maine Medical Center, Hurricane Island Outward Bound, the scientific advisory board of Discovery Communications and Curiosity Stream, a member of the Executive Committee of the US-Israel Science and Technology Commission, YPO and CEO, a Fellow of The Explorers Club, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Leadership Council of the Service Year Alliance, and advisory councils of Just Capital, Polaris Venture Partners, Arctaris Impact Fund, Sustainable Harvest International, the Telluride Science and Research Center, Nautilus Media, Waterbear Media, Saildrone, Visby Medical, and the National Geographic Impact Story Lab. &nbsp;He supports his advocacy interests with the production of documentary films and is the author of a 2024 book entitled Wave Making: Inspired By Impact. &nbsp;Shaw is resident of the State of Maine along with his children and 12 grandchildren.
Shaw has been awarded honorary degrees by Colby College, Bates College, Maine College of Art, the University of New England, and the University of Southern Maine. He is a recipient of the Leslie Cheek Medal from the College of William &amp; Mary. &nbsp;Other honors have included induction into the Teddy Roosevelt Society, International SeaKeeper of Year, Blue Ocean Festival Wavemaker, Life Science Foundation Biotech Hall of Fame, honoree New York Restoration Project, UNH Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, Maine Creativity Center, and Maine Business Hall of Fame. &nbsp;

Cultivate The Soul explores the intersection of philanthropy, contemplative practices, self-reflection and spirituality. Hosts Gretchen Ki Steidle and Melissa Durda are joined by leaders in philanthropy who discuss how they are bringing inner work to outer action and the impact this creates for charities, foundations, and other nonprofits. Presented by Synergos, a global organization helping solve complex issues around the world by advancing bridging leadership, which builds trust and collective action.

Cultivate The Soul explores the intersection of philanthropy, contemplative practices, self-reflection and spirituality. Hosts Gretchen Ki Steidle and Melissa Durda are joined by leaders in philanthropy who discuss how they are bringing inner work to outer action and the impact this creates for charities, foundations, and other nonprofits. Presented by Synergos, a global organization helping solve complex issues around the world by advancing bridging leadership, which builds trust and collective action.

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