Graduated with MBA from school of business in 1991

Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple CEO Steve Jobs and chair of the Emerson Collective as well as president of the board of College Track , has been elected to the Board of Trustees for Stanford University. Powell Jobs has been a strong advocate for education reform throughout her career, and sits on the boards of several organizations that promote opportunities for underprivileged youth, encourage science education in service to environmental causes and other areas.

Powell Jobs is also a vocal advocate for the federal Dream Act, which promotes a legal pathway for illegal immigrants to gain citizenship. She graduated with an MBA from Stanford's Graduate School of Business in 1991, following degrees in political science and economics from the University of Pennsylvania. Board of Trustees Chair Steven Denning said that Powell Jobs' "familiarity with Stanford, combined with extensive experience with and powerful commitment to supporting social entrepreneurs and organizations working on behalf of underserved students, will greatly strengthen the board."

Her term of office will begin October 1, and the post is a five-year assignment. Powell Jobs continues to serve on the board of directors for NewSchools Venture Fund, a philanthropy group promoting more schools for low-income students, as well as being on the board of Conservation International -- which emphasizes science-based fieldwork to help create sustainable development that protects natural resources.

Powell Jobs is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and spent several years working as an investment banker before starting a natural foods company in California. She founded or co-founded both the Emerson Collective (which supports social entrepreneurs and groups working for social justice and education) and the after-school program College Track, which has expanded from its Palo Alto roots to several other US cities, including New Orleans and Aurora, Colorado.

by MacNN Staff