David Ko (NYU BS ’93) is the CEO of Calm, the leading app for sleep, meditation and relaxation, where he also serves on the Board of Directors. Prior to joining Calm, David was the co-founder and CEO of health tech company Ripple Health Group (which was acquired by Calm in 2022). Following the acquisition and under David’s leadership, the company launched Calm Health, a mental health care solution for payers, providers and self-insured employers designed to bridge the gap between mental and physical health care. 

Before founding Ripple Health Group, David was a Board Member, President and COO of Rally Health, a digital health company. Prior to joining Rally Health, David was COO at Zygna, where he oversaw strategic planning, game development, international expansion, and infrastructure. Previously, David worked at Yahoo!, where he was SVP of Yahoo!’s audience, mobile, and local businesses, with oversight of Yahoo! media properties including Yahoo! Sports, Yahoo! News, and Yahoo! Finance. During his time at Yahoo!, he had also served as managing director and vice president for Yahoo! Mobile’s Asia Pacific business and was responsible for growing the company’s partnerships across the region from zero to 24 in 16 months.

David and his wife Jennifer’s $1 million gift established the Stern Venture Fellowship as a unique immersion program giving NYU Stern students the benefits of financial support, mentorship, workshops and access to NYC and Silicon Valley tech companies. The launch of this program also coincides with David’s appointment to Stern’s Board of Overseers.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help Stern MBAs transform their ideas into viable businesses through the resources that will be available from the NYU Stern Venture Fellows Program,” said Ko. “My goal is to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with early, firsthand access to leaders in the Silicon Valley and Silicon Alley technology communities and help them get a jumpstart.”