In 2013, when Donna Harris and Evan Burfield launched 1776, they couldn't have predicted how much growth and international recognition they would've received. Now, three years later, Harris is stepping down as co-CEO of the growing startup incubator program.
"It has served us extraordinarily well to have two co-CEOs for the last four years, but we're ready as an organization to consolidate that leadership," Harris told DC Inno in an interview. "At the same time, I've been giving a lot of thought to what's going on in the economy and some of the conversations that we need to be having and to think about what the future holds.
It just became a natural next decision for us. Evan would assume the day-to-day operations of the company, and I would still mentor startups in my shift in the role."
Harris plans to remain on as co-CEO through the end of January, and after that, she will stay at 1776 as a board member and investor. 1776 doesn't have plans to bring on another co-CEO at any point in the near future. In her new roles, Harris will continue to advise Burfield and check in on what 1776 is doing, but on a more informal and as-needed basis.
"I'm not getting up worrying about whether or not every employee at the company is doing exactly what it is we need them to be doing on a day-to-day basis," Harris said. "Evan will do a fantastic job of making sure that all the operations are running full steam ahead."
However, Harris and Burfield have been planning for Harris's departure as co-CEO since before Peter Cherukuri joined the team from Politico as the president and chief innovation officer in early August, the two co-founders told DC Inno in an interview.
Donna and I have been talking about this and working through this transition internally for months now.
"Donna and I have been talking about this and working through this transition internally for months now," Burfield said. "Some of the people we've brought on recently were really to bring on great talent and to grow the leadership of 1776—whether it was Peter joining from Politico and bringing his expertise, whether it's Dominque Taylor coming on board from EverFi. Whenever you get a chance to bring on these great people from your organization, you want to do it."
Harris's next project isn't clear, and she tells DC Inno that she isn't really focusing on the medium, but rather the "thesis" for her next project. She's thinking about what mission will drive her forward now.
"It's wonderful that I have a blank slate," Harris said. "It could take a lot of forms—everything from the highly academic and writing a book and think tank type work. It could be hands-on—starting something, joining something, taking the helm of something. It could be public sector, private sector."
Harris says she still plans on keeping her strong role in the community with plans to continue to mentor young startups and speak at larger events.
"In fact, I imagine it will increase now that I have a little bit more time to take some the requests that I haven't been able to take before because of travel and what not," Harris said. "A lot of people are asking me the same questions about the economy and what do we do, so I'm excited to see that increase."
Another thing Harris is looking forward to: "I'm not going to miss sitting in traffic for my commute going back and forth. That will be a blessing for sure."
