UC Berkeley and the Berkeley School of Education mourn the passing of Mike C. Wood, MBA ’79, who died on April 10 in Zurich at the age of 72. A visionary entrepreneur, generous philanthropist, and passionate advocate for literacy, Mike leaves behind a profound legacy that has touched countless lives.
Mike was a former UC Berkeley Foundation trustee, a dedicated member of the advisory board of the Graduate School of Education (now the Berkeley School of Education) and a Builder of Berkeley. He endowed both the GSE Dyslexia Fellowship Fund and The Lucretia Goldsmith Fund, supporting future educators and advancing equity in education. A former Cal rugby player, Mike also generously supported the Cal Men’s Rugby Fund, a testament to his enduring Golden Bear spirit.
After earning his BA from Stanford University in 1974, Mike pursued an MBA at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and a JD from UC Hastings College of the Law. He practiced corporate law from 1978 to 1994, becoming a partner at Cooley Godward L.L.P., before turning his talents to educational innovation.
In 1995, Mike founded LeapFrog Enterprises, a pioneer in educational technology. The company’s flagship product, the LeapPad, revolutionized early reading with its interactive, talking books. At its peak, LeapFrog employed more than 1,000 people and helped millions of children learn to read. Later, Mike founded and sold another reading platform, SmartyAnts, continuing his mission to make literacy accessible to all children. In retirement, he volunteered for years tutoring children in Marin City, Calif.
Reflecting on Mike’s many contributions, Dean Emeritus P. David Pearson shared, “Mike’s creativity and compassion infused every endeavor we shared — from early collaborations at LeapFrog, to his vital role on the GSE advisory board, to our partnership in developing SmartyAnts. And ultimately, as a cherished friend, his generosity of spirit was ever-present.”
Berkeley School of Education Professor Anne Cunningham, who was one of the original educational advisors for LeapFrog beginning in 1998, said, “It was a joy to work with Mike and all the ‘Leapfroggers’ for over 15 years working toward his vision. Mike’s unwavering belief that educational toys could be both joyful and transformative helped redefine how millions of children learned to read. Mike brought academic research and innovation together in a way that continues to inspire our field."
Cal Rugby's head coach Jack Clark, who has led the program for the past 43 years and was one of Mike’s former teammates, said, "Mike was such an influential and generous supporter of Cal Rugby. Going back to his playing days, he was always a leader people wanted to follow. He brought that influence to his philanthropy of Cal Rugby, never missing a campaign or a key moment to step up and support the team. Mike was such a good man, we were so fortunate to have him as a dear friend and stakeholder of Cal Rugby."
Mike Wood’s life was defined by service, innovation, and a deep belief in the power of education. Through his work, philanthropy, and friendships, he leaves an indelible mark on UC Berkeley and the world beyond. He will be deeply missed and long remembered.
He is survived by his wife Leslie; two brothers Tim and Denis; his son Mat with whom he had with his first wife Susan; and three grandchildren.