Everyone Can Be a Leader
At the Doerr Institute, we believe leadership isn’t reserved for a select few—it’s a skill that every student can learn, practice, and grow. Whether you’re leading in a classroom, a lab, a student club, or your community, we’re here to help you discover your potential and make an impact that lasts.
Who We Are
The Doerr Institute for New Leaders was established in 2015 through the philanthropy of Ann and John Doerr. John Doerr is a prominent venture capitalist, technology investor, and author of Measure What Matters and Speed & Scale: An Action Plan for Solving Our Climate Crisis Now, recognized for his role in supporting transformative companies such as Google and Amazon.
Ann Doerr is chair of Khan Academy, former board member and current advisory board member of the Environmental Defense Fund, and former trustee of Rice University. She is a dedicated philanthropist and conservationist with a deep commitment to sustainability and community impact. At Stanford University, she has served as a member of Stanford Medicine’s Cancer Council and Under One Umbrella Steering Committee.
Together, Ann and John Doerr envisioned the Doerr Institute as a means to provide all Rice University students with access to world-class leader development, advancing their ability to lead with purpose, integrity, and impact.
Our Vision
An abundance of leaders courageously confronting the world’s most complex challenges.
Our Mission
Our mission is to elevate the leadership capacity of Rice students and the practice of leader development in higher education.
Our Philosophy
Three principles guide our philosophy and are the foundation for shaping tomorrow's leaders.
- Leader development is a core function of higher education.
- The leaders developed by institutions of higher education should be ethical, inclusive, and impactful.
- The practice of developing leaders in higher education should be rigorous: use evidence-based techniques, use leader development experts, and use objective measurement of outcomes.
What We Do
The Doerr Institute for New Leaders is a large-scale leader development enterprise at Rice University, committed to providing every student with the opportunity to grow as a leader—at no cost. Through workshops, one-on-one and group coaching, and year-long immersive programs, we help students strengthen their skills, expand their self-awareness, and cultivate a clear sense of purpose.
Every program we offer is rigorously measured and proven to increase confidence, life satisfaction, and leader identity. At the Doerr Institute, we don’t just develop leaders—we ensure our programs make a real and lasting impact.
Support the Doerr Institute
Your support helps us provide transformative experiences and leader development programs for every Rice student, regardless of their background or field of study. Together, we can equip the next generation of leaders to make meaningful contributions in their communities and beyond.