Society for Science welcomes David Holz and Sheel Tyle to its Board of Trustees

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Society for Science is pleased to announce that David Holz and Sheel Tyle, both alumni of the Society’s STEM research competitions, have joined the organization’s Board of Trustees. “We are elated to welcome David and Sheel to our Board of Trustees,” said Maya Ajmera, President & CEO of Society for Science and Executive Publisher, Science News. “Their science fair experience and entrepreneurial insight reflect what we represent at Society for Science. Their leadership will be a tremendous benefit to this organization and advancing our mission in science education.”

Holz is the Founder and CEO of Midjourney, a generative artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platform that allows users to generate unique artwork such as characters, images and depictions through short text prompts. Previously, Holz was CTO & Co-Founder of Leap Motion, now Ultraleap, the world’s most advanced hand-tracking technology. Prior to founding the company, Holz contracted for NASA’s Langley Research Center and conducted neuroscience research while at The Max Planck Institute. He studied applied math at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, ultimately leaving his Ph.D. program to cofound Leap Motion. Holz is a 2006 alumnus of the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

“Participating in science fairs as a child had a profound impact on who I am today, and I’m honored to be able to pay it forward with the next generation,” Holz said.

Tyle is the Founder and co-CEO of Collective Global, a global investment firm investing across early stage, venture growth and GP stakes. Collective’s portfolio includes over 50 companies across six continents in artificial intelligence, financial technology, mental health and software. Tyle is Co-Owner and Alternate Governor of the Portland Trail Blazers, where he also serves on the organization’s Board of Directors. He was a founding partner of the Rip City Rising ownership group that purchased the NBA franchise from the Estate of Paul G. Allen in March 2026. Tyle competed in the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge in 2005 and in ISEF in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

“I competed in science fairs as a kid, and they were formative experiences for me—teaching me curiosity, discipline and the value of pursuing evidence wherever it leads,” Tyle said. “Society for Science has done so much to encourage young people to explore, discover and excel, and I am honored to join the Board of Trustees.”

About Society for Science

Society for Science is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, Society for Science is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and its STEM Outreach programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, Society for Science is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at new.societyforscience.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (Society4Science).