Rutgers staff honored in New Jersey’s 2026 INNOVATE100 list
Keli Zinn at her introductory press conference in July 2025. (Photo credit: Rutgers University)
Rutgers Director of Athletics Keli Zinn has been nominated and confirmed as a 2026 INNOVATE100 honoree, along with seven other innovative leaders from Rutgers – New Brunswick.
New Jersey’s annual INNOVATE100 celebration honors professionals from various sectors who boost the state’s strong economy and community. The nominees come from startups, corporations, universities, nonprofits and the government.
Keli Zinn is currently in her first year as Director of Athletics at Rutgers University, previously serving as deputy athletic director at Louisiana State University. Upon receiving the INNOVATE100 honor, she made a statement on social media that reads, “Innovation at Rutgers Athletics is about leveraging cutting-edge performance, education, and well-being strategies to build a competitive program and prepare our student-athletes for success in every aspect of life.”
Other Rutgers nominees included three administrators at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, three life science professors working in plant biology and the dental school, and Rutgers Makerspace Director Skip Carter.
The annual INNOVATE100 celebration will be held at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center on May 13 at 7:00 p.m.