Nutanix President, IGEL Chair, tech investor and longtime SVLG board member will help guide the organization’s next phase of impact

SAN JOSÉ, Calif., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) today announced that Tarkan Maner, President of Nutanix and Chair of IGEL, has been named Chair of the SVLG Board of Directors.

Tarkan’s vote was officially noticed on July 23 and he was unanimously selected by SVLG’s Executive Board on August 11 after a collaborative months-long process. His selection was ratified by the full Board on September 3.

Tarkan is a successful and dynamic technology leader, experienced senior executive, entrepreneur and investor, and longtime partner to SVLG, supporting the organization’s work as both a member company CEO, Board Member, and investor for nearly two decades. Tarkan brings a focused, technology leadership perspective with deep roots in Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem. Over more than three decades, he has helped build, scale, and lead technology companies at every stage of growth in every segment – from emerging companies and startups to some of the world’s leading AI technology enterprises.

“Silicon Valley has always been defined by what comes next, and SVLG has an essential role to play in bringing business leaders together as a positive force to help define that future,” said Tarkan Maner, SVLG Board Chair. “SVLG’s ambition is clear: to help shape the outcomes that will determine California’s competitiveness for generations to come. I look forward to building on our strong momentum and working with Ahmad, my fellow board members and SVLG’s member companies to ensure this region remains the best place in the world to innovate, grow a company and create opportunity for all.”

“I’ve known Tarkan for many years and have also had the good fortune to work closely with SVLG throughout my time in public service. California leads the world in technology and innovation, and our job now is to make sure that leadership translates into greater opportunity for all Californians and communities across our state. Tarkan understands both the extraordinary potential of this moment and the work required to deliver on it. I look forward to seeing what Ahmad and the SVLG team accomplish to keep California innovating, growing, and creating opportunity for all Californians,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom.

“San José sits at the heart of Silicon Valley, and we want the companies and entrepreneurs shaping our future to continue building and scaling innovation here. With decades of experience building and leading technology companies, Tarkan understands the dynamic of what companies need to invest, innovate, and grow, and the importance of translating that growth into jobs, opportunity, and tangible benefits for our community,” said San José Mayor Matt Mahan. “As SVLG approaches its momentous 50th anniversary next year, the organization has an important role to play in bringing business, government, and community leaders together to ensure that the next era of innovation strengthens our economy and expands opportunity across San José and our region. I look forward to working together to create jobs, attract investment, and keep our region at the forefront of innovation, that benefits all our residents.”

Before joining Nutanix and IGEL, Tarkan most recently served as Chairman and CEO of Nexenta Systems, guiding the company through its acquisition by DataDirect Networks, and as President and CEO of Wyse Technology, which was acquired by Dell. He has also held senior leadership roles at Dell, IBM, and Sterling Software, and currently serves on the boards of several technology companies and nonprofit organizations. As an independent investor and advisor, he also brings a strong understanding of strategic partnerships and the transformative power of AI.

This breadth of business experience gives Tarkan a valuable perspective on what it takes for innovators at all stages to succeed and scale. His unique expertise and leadership come at an exciting moment for SVLG as it continues strengthening its role as the leading voice for innovation, business competitiveness, and economic growth in California. With the world’s leading technology companies and employers already among its members, SVLG is well positioned to build on that strength by bringing in the next generation of AI leaders, technology portfolio companies, and investors helping drive the future.

“Tarkan understands the promise of Silicon Valley and the work required to sustain its innovation leadership,” said Ahmad Thomas, CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. “He is truly the embodiment of what Silicon Valley makes possible. As we approach SVLG’s 50th anniversary next year, we have an extraordinary opportunity to build on our legacy while continuing to evolve for the future. I’m thrilled to partner with Tarkan, our incredible Board, and our world-class member companies, to translate this momentum into even greater impact for Silicon Valley, our broader region, and California.”

Tarkan will also serve as Chair of the Board of the newly launched California Innovation Foundation, which is governed by the SVLG Executive Board of Directors. Strategically aligned with SVLG, the new entity extends the organization’s impact through 501(c)(3) funded research, education, and innovation-centered workforce initiatives.

Noted Silicon Valley Leaders from the Public and Private Sectors Welcomed SVLG’s New Board Chair

Congressman Sam Liccardo (CA-16): “Tarkan’s experience as an entrepreneur and technology leader makes him an exceptional choice to Chair the Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s Board of Directors, but nobody can compete with his inspiring energy, intellect, and passion. As SVLG approaches its 50th anniversary next year, we need its strong leadership in this critical moment for our region and nation. I look forward to working together to advance innovation, expand opportunity, and drive the economic growth and competitiveness that will define our region’s next chapter.”

Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17): “Our nation’s leadership in global innovation depends on our ability to harness the extraordinary promise of technology to strengthen our economy and create greater opportunities for everyone. Tarkan embodies forward-looking leadership, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a strong commitment to bring business and government together around a shared purpose. I very much look forward to working with him and SVLG to ensure innovation continues to be a force for broad-based economic opportunity.”

CA Senator Josh Becker: “We have an extraordinary opportunity to harness the next generation of technology to strengthen our economy, address some of our region’s biggest challenges, and improve people’s lives. Tarkan’s experience as such a successful leader in the business world, coupled with his commitment to collaboration and positive civic impact, will be tremendous assets to SVLG. I look forward to working together to turn Silicon Valley innovation into meaningful progress and greater opportunity for all Californians.”

CA Assemblymember Marc Berman: “I’ve known Tarkan for over a dozen years, back when I worked for an education non-profit and he served on our board. I’ve seen first hand Tarkan’s passion, his infectious energy, and his deep commitment to everyone who lives in the Bay Area. Tarkan believes in the importance of strong collaboration between the public and private sectors to tackle the terribly complex challenges facing our region and create better opportunities for all Californians, and I look forward to working with him and SVLG to do just that.”

Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Ed.D., President, San José State University: “Silicon Valley’s greatest strengths are its people, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit. As an experienced entrepreneur and technology leader, Tarkan understands the critical connection between education, innovation, and the workforce of the future. As SJSU sits in the epicenter of the future, I look forward to his leadership and to strengthening the critical workforce partnerships and educational collaborations that will prepare the next generation of talent to thrive and lead in our rapidly changing global economy.”

UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive: “The partnership between higher education and Silicon Valley’s innovation economy creates tremendous opportunities for our students, our workforce, and our broader region. Tarkan’s tech industry expertise brings a deep understanding of how new ideas translate into companies and high-growth industries that can have meaningful real-world impact, particularly for our recent graduates. As a fellow SVLG Board Member, I look forward to working alongside him to deepen those connections and expand workforce opportunities for the next generation of innovators and leaders.”

Peter Y. Chung, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Summit Partners: “Across our portfolio companies, we see how rapidly AI, technology, and new business models are changing the competitive landscape. Tarkan brings a combination of deep operating experience, entrepreneurial perspective, and an understanding of what companies here need to invest, grow, and compete at scale. I strongly believe his leadership will be an asset to SVLG as the organization advances its modernization plans and brings together the business community around the policies, infrastructure, talent, and innovation ecosystem central to keeping Silicon Valley and California competitive in the global economy.”

Tim Guleri, Managing Partner, Sierra Ventures: “Silicon Valley’s global leadership in innovation cannot be taken for granted, particularly as AI reshapes our economy and creates an extraordinary new wave of opportunity. With decades of experience building and leading technology companies at every stage, Tarkan understands what companies need to invest, innovate, scale, and compete. His leadership will be an important asset for SVLG and their work to ensure Silicon Valley leads the AI-powered economy, accelerates the innovation and infrastructure that make that leadership possible, and remains the best place in the world to build and grow the companies defining the future.”

Erel Margalit, Founder and Executive Chairman, JVP: “I’ve known Tarkan Maner for many years and I think he is one of the true international leaders, bringing technology and innovation as an engine for collaboration between different companies, countries and ecosystems. I also have the highest respect for Tarkan in his willingness to be available to give advice and support to many founders and entrepreneurs who are trying to build their companies in a big and significant way. I myself often seek his advice, and look forward to collaborating with him as we build great companies together. The opportunity ahead for SVLG and the California Innovation Foundation is extraordinary, as Silicon Valley’s influence becomes even more global and technology reshapes how our companies, countries, and ecosystems connect.”

Jonathan Meeks, Managing Director, TA Associates: “From an investor’s perspective, the next decade will be defined by companies that can translate AI, technology, and innovation into durable growth, productivity, and market leadership. Tarkan understands both sides of that equation: how to build and lead businesses, and how to create the conditions that allow innovation-driven companies to succeed. As SVLG continues to refine its focus, his perspective will be especially valuable in connecting the priorities of the region’s employers, investors, and entrepreneurs with the broader work required to strengthen Silicon Valley’s long-term economic leadership.”

Luke Proskine, Makena Capital Management: “AI is accelerating change across every sector, raising the stakes for companies, investors, and regions competing for growth. Tarkan brings the business perspective and judgment to help translate that disruption into real opportunity. The combination of SVLG and its new California Innovation Foundation creates a powerful platform for this moment, with disciplined focus and the ability to turn insight into action for California’s innovation economy. I’m truly excited for Tarkan and the SVLG team, and proud to support their important work ahead.”

Alberto Yépez, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Forgepoint Capital: “We are entering a defining era for technology, driven by AI, cybersecurity, and an extraordinary pace of innovation. Tarkan brings a global perspective and understands what it takes to identify breakthrough ideas, build category-defining companies, and scale them into lasting businesses. He is exceptionally well-positioned to bring the voice of founders, investors, and technology leaders to SVLG—and help ensure California remains the world’s leading ecosystem for secure, transformative innovation.”

About Silicon Valley Leadership Group

The Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) is the leading business association representing the innovation economy and its ecosystem. Founded by David Packard of Hewlett-Packard, SVLG has worked for nearly five decades to address issues that affect the region’s economic dynamism and quality of life. Today, SVLG is focused on accelerating the next era of Silicon Valley leadership, activated by our three new Centers of Expertise (COE): Technology & Innovation, Business Competitiveness and Civic Impact. SVLG members collectively provide nearly one of every three private sector jobs in Silicon Valley and contribute  to the worldwide economy. For more information, visit svlg.org.

press@svlg.org 

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SOURCE Silicon Valley Leadership Group

Licensees gain a ready-built methodology for earning client visibility across ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot and Perplexity, without building an AI Signaling practice from scratch

NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global Communication Works (GCW), the strategic public relations and communications agency, today announced that SignlLabs™, its proprietary AI Signaling practice, is now available for license to any organization responsible for how a brand is understood and recommended, including public relations firms, advertising agencies, web development and digital shops, marketing consultancies and in-house communications teams.

The license gives licensees a complete, tested methodology for measuring and improving how AI platforms describe, trust and recommend their clients. Clients and executive teams are asking the same question: do we show up in AI. Until now, the people being asked have had to reverse-engineer an answer or guess at one. The SignlLabs license replaces the guess with a scored instrument, and it moves the goal from being visible to being recommended.

“Any team responsible for a brand’s reputation can now license SignlLabs, whether that is an agency, a consultancy or an in-house department, and give its clients or its own company a measurable path to being recommended by AI instead of trying to reverse-engineer one,” said Brad Ginsburg, Partner and President at GCW. “This is not about protecting a competitive advantage. It is about setting the standard the whole industry can build on.”

SignlLabs measures a brand’s presence and recommendation strength across the five answer engines buyers now use to decide who to hire and what to buy: ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot and Perplexity. The practice was built from the ground up for how AI systems compose answers, rather than adapted from existing search tactics, and it has been running across GCW’s own client campaigns before being opened to outside licensees.

At the center of the license is the Maturity Method™, GCW’s proprietary measurement framework. It produces a Signaling Maturity Score™ from 0 to 100 across six weighted dimensions: Foundation, Endorsement, Alignment, Presence, Warmth and Constancy. Scores map to a five-stage maturity ladder that runs from Unseen to The Answer, and every engine is scored separately and never blended, because an average conceals the one platform that stopped recommending a brand.

“Every agency I talk to is getting the same question from clients: are we showing up in AI?,” said Erika Hanafin Austria, lead of SignlLabs. “Most of them are guessing at the answer. Licensing SignlLabs means they stop guessing. They get a number, they get the six things that move it, and they get a re-score that proves whether the work actually worked. It took a year and five industries to calibrate this. No agency should have to repeat that.”

The distinction matters because the mechanics have changed. Search engine optimization earns rankings. Answer Engine Optimization earns snippets. AI Signaling earns the recommendation itself, and the sources that drive it are overwhelmingly earned rather than owned.

Licensees receive the Maturity Method™ framework and scoring rubric, the Intent Category Framework™ that determines which buyer questions get tested, the query protocol and measurement approach, reporting templates, and team training. GCW will continue to support licensees as the AI platforms evolve, keeping the methodology current as recommendation behavior changes.

The license is available to organizations of any size and in any category. Interested parties can contact GCW directly to discuss terms.

For more information about the SignlLabs license, visit signllabs.ai or contact Erika Hanafin Austria at erika@signllabs.ai.

About Global Communication Works (GCW)

GCW is a strategic public relations agency serving clients across women’s health, consumer packaged goods, wellness and lifestyle, real estate, law and energy. Services span earned media, crisis and reputation management, influencer strategy, film and production, events, media training and AI Signaling. For more information, visit gcw.agency.

About SignlLabs

SignlLabs™ is GCW’s proprietary AI Signaling practice, built to help brands earn visibility and recommendations across leading AI platforms, including ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Co-Pilot, and Perplexity. The practice pairs its Signaling Maturity Score™ framework with strategic growth advisory and is available for license by public relations firms, advertising agencies and web development companies for use with their own clients. For more information, visit signllabs.ai.

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SOURCE GCW Partners, LLC

PARAMUS, N.J., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For the new school year, Savvas Learning Company is excited to announce new and enhanced learning solutions that give educators the flexibility of using high-quality instructional materials available in both print and digital formats to provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences and improve student outcomes.

“As a longtime leader in providing the highest quality print and digital instructional materials, we are committed to offering educators and their students a fully blended learning experience that meets the needs of today’s classrooms,” said Bethlam Forsa, CEO of Savvas Learning Company. “Our instructional philosophy is built upon delivering flexible educational resources that empower teachers to provide personalized learning experiences, maximize engagement, and increase student achievement.”

New Learning Solutions that Engage and Excite Students
Whether delivered through visually engaging textbooks or digitally on the Savvas Realize platform, Savvas Learning Company’s evidence-based, research-proven core instructional programs are designed to motivate students by making learning interactive. To meet educators’ needs for the new school year, Savvas offers innovative, core solutions that span every grade level and discipline, including:

enVision+ Mathematics K-8, the newest edition of the classroom-tested, teacher-loved enVision math program, empowers students to become problem-solvers through real-world math activities and exciting hands-on resources. enVision+ provides greater opportunities for student engagement and promotes collaborative learning where students actively talk and think about math every day.Experience Math, a research-proven, student-centered K-8 program, now offers an all-new print teacher guide with expanded resources and embedded teacher notes to more easily support lesson planning and classroom discussion. The program enhances learning with intentional teaching that is aligned to clear goals and strategic instructional decisions.Miller & Levine Experience Biology, the newest edition of the nation’s leading high school biology program written by scientists and trusted by teachers, provides the foundation every student needs for high school science courses and beyond. Designed to transform curiosity and investigation into deep understanding, the program immerses students in phenomena-based, experiential learning.

With the addition of Miller & Levine Experience Biology, Savvas now offers a full Experience Science series across grades K-12, meeting the needs of school districts looking for a high-quality, cohesive, vertically aligned science solution.

Boosting Teacher Impact with Data-Driven Instruction and Connected Learning

Savvas is introducing the Savvas Comprehensive Classroom, a new, cohesive K-8 solution that provides educators with data-driven insights to know what students need and the instructional resources to address those needs, all via the Savvas Realize platform. The solution combines powerful diagnostic and screening tools from the Savvas Momentum Assessment Suite with the high-quality core curriculum of enVision+ Mathematics, Experience Math, myView Literacy, and myPerspectives English Language Arts, along with continuously adaptive personalized learning from SuccessMaker to strengthen math and literacy achievement for every learner.

New for this school year, Momentum Literacy K-8, part of the Savvas Momentum Assessment Suite, offers updated norm-referenced national assessments and reporting features that deliver greater insights into students’ literacy skills and progress. These enhancements give educators the ability to measure students’ growth across the entire school year, as well as forecast student performance on end-of-year assessments, including state assessments, as early as the beginning of the school year. Momentum Literacy can also identify students at risk for reading difficulties with the newly enhanced Dyslexia Screener, now expanded for use from kindergarten through grade 8.

Savvas PathMaker: Personalized Pathways for College and Career Readiness

Designed to offer flexibility for educators and choice for students, Savvas PathMaker enables students to gain the skills and confidence to become college and career ready. Its comprehensive catalog includes: Outlier by Savvas dual-enrollment courses, which give students the opportunity to earn highly transferable college credits while in high school, and Savvas CTE career and technical education (CTE) and certification prep courses, which help them develop the skills and industry-recognized credentials needed for success in today’s high-interest, high-demand jobs.

Both Outlier and Savvas CTE courses now provide robust teacher resources that enable any educator to easily teach a class. Newly released Savvas CTE courses include College and Career Exploration, Entrepreneurship, Health Science Foundations, Medical Terminology, and Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources. New features embedded into Savvas CTE courses include personalized career exploration student resources and an employability skills module to help students prepare for career success.

Empower Students with Civic Competency and Financial Literacy

For educators looking for more content to inspire the next generation of civic leaders, Savvas is introducing the American Patriotism Collection. These curated, digital mini-lessons, available within select social studies courses on Savvas Realize, equip students with the critical thinking skills to analyze primary sources, explore diverse perspectives, and build civic competency.

Personal finance is a unique subject where classroom lessons have immediate, real-world impact. The new Personal Finance Student Companion worktext helps students build smart financial habits by teaching essential skills to manage money, such as how to create a budget, finance a car, and complete a tax return. Ideal for a one-semester elective course or as a supplement to existing social studies curriculum, Personal Finance supports hands-on instruction with a teacher guide that provides effective strategies to bring financial literacy to life for every learner.

ABOUT SAVVAS LEARNING COMPANY
At Savvas, we believe learning should inspire. By combining new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new ways of interacting, we design engaging, next-generation learning solutions that give all students the best opportunity to succeed. Our award-winning, high-quality instructional materials span every grade level and discipline, from evidence-based, standards-aligned core curricula and supplemental and intervention programs to state-of-the-art assessment tools and the industry’s most innovative portfolio of college and career readiness solutions — all designed to meet the needs of every learner. Savvas products are used by millions of students and educators in more than 90 percent of the 13,000+ public school districts across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, as well as globally in more than 125 countries. To learn more, visit Savvas Learning Company.

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SOURCE Savvas Learning Company