Elwood “Woody” Howse has a unique gift for building communities — a skill he’s used for decades to develop companies, catalyze innovation, grow careers, and strengthen Stanford’s alumni base. In 1977, Woody co-founded Cable & Howse, a venture capital firm that became a driving force in the Pacific Northwest’s technology, biotech, and medical device industries. In an article in the blog Flynn’s Harp, Woody says he was drawn to the work because he “felt the products were aimed at the betterment of mankind, which always made us feel like we were doing something of value.” This focus on creating value for the community led Woody to co-found the Washington Software Alliance, the dominant trade organization for the region’s emerging software industry in the mid-1980s. The Puget Sound Business Journal recognized Woody’s many contributions to the community in 2015, naming him as one of the area’s most influential business executives of the past 35 years.
Woody’s talent for building community extends to his decades of dedication to the Stanford GSB Alumni Association, including six years on the board and a term as president. Woody has served as an officer and active participant in the Puget Sound chapter (previously known as SeaFOAM — Seattle Friends of Arjay Miller), with Deepak Marda, MSx ’07, describing him as “the glue that keeps the Seattle area alumni chapter together.” For his decades of volunteer service to the university, Woody received the Stanford Medal. He was also honored with the John W. Gardner Volunteer Leadership Award, with the GSB dean at the time calling him the alumni association’s “go-to guy in the Seattle area.”
As a mentor, Woody has helped countless individuals navigate their professional paths, acting as a source of advice and inspiration. Deepak notes that “I have met a number of GSB alums and other individuals in the broader Seattle business community who say they owe their career-changing moves to Woody.” Ultimately, Woody’s tremendous impact lies not only in the organizations he’s helped build, but also in the countless careers and lives he’s helped shape.
