David Siegel

David is a computer scientist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He co-founded Two Sigma, where he currently serves as Co-Chairman.

Inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey, David was drawn to computer science at a young age and developed a deep interest in programming. This interest sparked a life-long passion for building intelligent computational systems, reflecting the belief in technology’s potential to improve virtually every human endeavor.

After graduating from Princeton, David received a PhD in computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he conducted research at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.

In 2001, he co-founded Two Sigma on the belief that innovative technology and data science could help discover value in the world’s data. Today, Two Sigma, through its use of algorithms and with its unique culture, drives transformations in many industries including investment management and insurance.

David’s philanthropic efforts underscore his conviction that education, science, and technology are the keys to a better world. In keeping with this vision, he founded Siegel Family Endowment in 2011 to support organizations and leaders that will understand and shape the impact of technology on society. David devotes significant time and energy to actively engaging with this work. He is the Chairman of the Board of Overseers at Cornell Tech, a board member of Carnegie Hall, and of the Robin Hood Learning + Tech Fund. After co-founding the board of New York City FIRST, he furthered his commitment to the organization by joining the national FIRST board. David’s service also includes roles on the Global Advisory Board of Khan Academy, the Advisory Board for Stanford’s Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society, and the Advisory Council for Princeton’s Center on Information Technology Policy.

In 2014, David co-founded the Scratch Foundation to support Scratch, a block-based programming language and online community for kids that helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively — essential skills for life in the 21st century.

As a member of the MIT Corporation, David has the pleasure of serving on the Visiting Committee for the Media Lab, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Center for Brains, Minds, and Machines, as well as with the advisory group for the Task Force on the Work of the Future. He is Founding Chair of the advisory board for MIT Quest, an initiative to discover the foundations of human intelligence and drive the development of technological tools that can positively influence society. David also sits on the Board of Directors of the Hamilton Insurance Group.