Member
Edward L. DeMore is the former CEO and a founder of the Boston Digital Bridge Foundation (BDBF); a privately funded, non-profit corporation founded with technology company executives and government leaders. In collaboration with Mayor Thomas M. Menino and the City of Boston, the Foundation conceived and managed the nationally renowned Technology Goes Home program, a technology education initiative that provides computer training and computers to low-income families in order to help them bridge the digital divide. The goals of the program are to enhance employment opportunities for adults, improve academic performance for children and to increase community collaboration and cooperation within and between Boston’s inner city neighborhoods.
BDBF also strongly supports TechBoston, a technology curriculum in the Boston Public School system and TechBoston Academy, the BPS’ only pilot school incorporating technology within each subject. Both programs aim to create and support a highly trained and skilled workforce that will benefit Boston families and businesses. To support these initiatives Ed led a team that raised more than $45 million from private companies and individuals that was a catalyst for raising an additional $175 million from the federal E-RATE program and the City of Boston.
This enabled Boston to have the most robust tech infrastructure of any public school system in America. Prior to founding the BDBF Ed joined the Economic Development and Industrial Corporation of Boston in April 1994 as the Chief Operating Officer and in November 1995 he was also appointed to the position of Executive Assistant to the Chief Economic Development Officer for the City of Boston.
Preceding his employment with the City, Ed was employed with Xerox Corporation where he held various sales, marketing, and sales management positions during his ten-year career there. In 1977, he left Xerox to start his own private real estate investment and consulting firm that made investments in private companies and real estate projects and advised clients on their personal and business investments.
“I joined the board during a phase my life when I became deeply concerned about world affairs and particularly the US polices post 9/11. It was a time when I developed a curiosity about the world affairs and cultures. I was drawn to IGL initially by the passion, brilliance, and commitment of Sherm Teichman. Sherm continues to be a large part of my involvement and motivation, but through my travel and international experience my greatest concern is the lack of leadership in the United States and around the world. IGL is an outstanding example of the education and preparation required to create true global leaders. I am very pleased and proud to play a role to support this very important education and preparation of competent and ethical global leaders.”