Bill Hilf brings over 25 years of experience building world-class teams and scaling transformative software products at the forefront of technology change. At IBM, he pioneered open-source strategies and developed some of the world’s largest scientific computing systems. At Microsoft, he convinced the company to adopt open source while leading the global Windows Server business and helped build and launch Azure into a multibillion-dollar cloud platform. He then modernized HP’s cloud division before becoming CEO of Vale Group (formerly Vulcan Inc.) from 2016 to 2024. There, he successfully steered Paul Allen’s diverse portfolio through complex challenges, overseeing ventures that spanned aerospace, real-estate development, sports franchises, museums, film production, and cutting-edge research institutes focused on brain science, artificial intelligence, and conservation.

Today, Bill continues to lead at the intersection of emerging technologies and purpose-driven impact as board chair of both the Allen Institute for AI (AI2) and American Prairie. At AI2, he champions breakthrough AI research for the common good – from open large-language models to groundbreaking applications in climate modeling, wildlife conservation, and maritime intelligence that protect both endangered species and ocean ecosystems worldwide. At American Prairie, he helps guide the creation of North America’s largest nature reserve, a 3.2 million–acre vision that supports both wildlife and local communities.

Bill also serves on the University of Washington School of Computer Science & Engineering advisory board and, through his consulting firm Highwood Consulting, partners with leaders navigating the convergence of technology, science, and philanthropy. His commitment to purpose-driven leadership extends to High Five Sports, which he founded in 2008 to provide sports programs for over 1,500 street children in the Philippines, building confidence and leadership through athletics.

When not working, Bill can be found exploring remote wilderness areas from Montana to Africa, mentoring the next generation of leaders, or writing fiction stories that explore the convergence of technology, nature, and humanity’s potential. His first sci-fi novel is scheduled for publication soon.