The Mind & Life Institute is pleased to welcome Michael Potts to our Board of Directors. With decades of leadership experience spanning the technology and nonprofit sectors, Michael brings a thoughtful approach to strategy and a long-standing dedication to the power of contemplative practice.
For Michael, joining the Mind & Life Board feels like a natural extension of his professional and personal journey. “The Mind & Life Institute is at a powerful turning point,” he says. “There’s an incredible opportunity to honor and preserve the culture that makes Mind & Life special while leaning into strategic decisions that will shape the future.” Michael’s deep understanding of strategy, leadership, and contemplative practice uniquely positions him to help guide Mind & Life during this critical chapter.
“The Mind & Life Institute is at a powerful turning point. There’s an incredible
opportunity to honor and preserve the culture that makes Mind & Life special while
leaning into strategic decisions that will shape the future.”
Michael is an investor and strategy consultant with a leadership background encompassing both commercial and mission-based enterprises. He is the Managing Partner of Advance Wave Partners, an investment firm focusing on technologies that enhance human growth and learning. His career includes serving as CEO of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in Colorado, where he helped drive the organization’s transition into a leader in the global shift to a renewable energy economy. His work at RMI and as a consultant and board member for commercial companies reflects his talent for aligning purpose with performance.
Michael’s path has been shaped by his commitment to personal growth. A pivotal moment came when he took a year off after selling his software company and embarked on a 30-day silent meditation retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California. The experience was transformative, marking what he describes as a turning point in his professional and personal life. “That retreat brought me to a more stable view of who I was and what was important,” he shares. “It allowed me to access a quieter place that continues to shape how I approach leadership and relationships.”
“That retreat brought me to a more stable view of who I was and what was important.
It allowed me to access a quieter place that continues to shape
how I approach leadership and relationships.”
Michael’s relationship with Mind & Life began decades ago during its early days in Boulder, Colorado, through a connection with co-founder Adam Engle. That initial touchpoint led to periodic engagements over the years, culminating in his recent collaboration with Mind & Life’s President, Suzanne Bond. His respect for her vision and commitment inspired him to pursue and take on a formal role within the organization.
In his personal life, Michael enjoys traveling, playing the harmonica, and spending time with his partner, five children, and ten grandchildren. He’s also writing a science-comedy-thriller novel exploring the nature of time and human connection.
As we welcome Michael to the Board of Directors, we’re excited about the insights and leadership he brings to our work. His expertise and vision are sure to play a vital role in shaping the next chapter of Mind & Life’s story. “Mind & Life’s work resonates deeply with me,” he says. “The connection between science and contemplative wisdom has never been more important, and I’m honored to contribute to this mission.”
