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Eightco treasury composition as of June 3, 2026: $90M OpenAI equity (indirect), $18M Beast Industries equity, 16,278 ETH, 283 million WLD holdings, and $142M cash and equivalents, totaling approximately $437 million
World offers a solution to the 'double human' problem in a world proliferating with deepfakes
Eightco provides indirect exposure to some of the most innovative private companies including OpenAI and Beast Industries
EASTON, Pa., June 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Eightco Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ORBS) ("Eightco" or the "Company") today provided an update on its total holdings, highlighting its growing position across digital assets and strategic investments in leading private technology companies.
As of June 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ET, ORBS' holdings include a $90 million investment (indirectly, through SPVs) in OpenAI, an $18 million funded investment in Beast Industries, a $1 million investment in Mythical Games, 283,452,700 Worldcoin (WLD) at $0.55 per WLD (per Coinbase), 16,278 Ethereum (ETH), and approximately $142 million in total cash and stablecoins, for total holdings of approximately $437 million.
Top AI Headlines Driving the News:
ORBS management believes the Company's treasury portfolio holds some of the most critical components for the future AI and digital financial system. Among the holdings, key highlights in recent weeks are:
- On June 1, Anthropic, recently valued at nearly $1 trillion, confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO, setting up what could become one of the most significant technology offerings in history (Reuters).
- The Anthropic news comes out amidst news that OpenAI is preparing to file to go public in the coming weeks (The New York Times).
- On June 1, Alphabet, parent company of Google, announced plans to raise up to $80 billion to fund AI-related investments and computing infrastructure to meet unprecedented demand (CNBC).
"The market is witnessing one of the largest technology investment cycles in history as AI reshapes industries, business models, and the global economy," said Thomas "Tom" Lee, Board Member of Eightco. "Anthropic's filing highlights the expectation of enormous investor appetite for AI companies. With OpenAI's filing reported to be upcoming, we believe OpenAI sits at the center of this transformation, and ORBS' exposure to the company provides shareholders with participation in what we view as one of the most significant value creation opportunities of the coming decade."
- Data compiled by Fundstrat shows that "non-humans" now account for the following estimated shares of volume on various platforms:
- 75% of Polymarket trading volume
- 53% of web traffic
- 47% of emails sent
- 44% of US equity buy-side execution
- 35% of new website creation
- 30% of online product reviews
Eightco: Exposure to key mega-trends
Eightco is built around three mega-trends the Company expects to shape the next decade of innovation: artificial intelligence, digital identity, and the creator economy, with positions in each trend through indirect investment in OpenAI (21% of ORBS' treasury holdings), Worldcoin (36%), and Beast Industries (4%).
Artificial Intelligence — OpenAI
Eightco has invested approximately $90 million in special purpose vehicles with exposure to equity interests in the parent company of OpenAI, representing approximately 21% of treasury assets, one of the highest disclosed concentrations of any listed vehicle.
ChatGPT, OpenAI's consumer app, is the #1 consumer AI app worldwide (Sensor Tower) and crossed 900 million weekly active users in February 2026, making it the fastest-scaling consumer technology in history (UBS via Reuters).
Digital Identity — WLD Token
Eightco holds over 283 million WLD, approximately 8.4% of circulating supply, the largest publicly disclosed institutional position globally and approximately 36% of the Eightco treasury's assets.
Worldcoin is the native token of World, a global Proof of Human network built by Tools for Humanity (co-founded by Sam Altman and Alex Blania) and stewarded by the World Foundation. Its Orb devices issue a privacy-preserving World ID that verifies a user is a unique human, not an AI agent.
Under World's announced business model, applications pay per-verification fees while end-user verification remains free, with both credential issuers and the World protocol monetizing verified-human authentication. World identifies a $6.35 trillion combined addressable revenue opportunity across 13 industries spanning banking, e-commerce, gaming, social media, and agentic AI (per Tools for Humanity).
Creator Economy — Beast Industries
Eightco has invested $18 million in Beast Industries equity, approximately 4% of treasury assets.
Beast Industries operates one of the largest direct-to-consumer reach footprints in the world, with a combined 500 million-plus follower base across platforms, anchored by MrBeast as the most-watched person on YouTube globally. As AI commoditizes content production, distribution and audience trust become increasingly scarce assets.
About Eightco Holdings Inc.
Eightco Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ORBS) is a publicly traded company executing a first-of-its-kind Worldcoin (WLD) treasury strategy, providing investors single-ticker indirect exposure to three of the defining trends of this cycle: artificial intelligence through its indirect investment in OpenAI, digital identity through its position as the largest public holder of WLD and the Proof of Human protocol, and the creator economy through its equity stake in MrBeast's Beast Industries. Backed by leading institutional investors including Bitmine Immersion Technologies Inc. (NYSE: BMNR), MOZAYYX, World Foundation, CoinFund, Discovery Capital Management, FalconX, Payward/Kraken, Pantera, and GSR, Eightco is building the infrastructure layer for human verification in the agentic AI era.
For more information:
X: @iamhuman_orbs
Website: 8co.holdings
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ORBS stock?
Eightco Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ORBS) is a publicly traded company on Nasdaq. ORBS provides indirect exposure to: OpenAI and Beast Industries.
Who owns the most Worldcoin (WLD)?
Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ: ORBS) holds 283 million WLD, approximately 8.4% of circulating supply and the largest publicly disclosed institutional position globally.
What is Proof of Human?
Proof of Human is cryptographic verification that a user is a unique, living person, not a bot or AI agent. It is foundational infrastructure for social networks, banking, agentic commerce, and any system requiring "one person, one account" in the agentic AI era.
How does Eightco (ORBS) relate to Proof of Human?
Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ: ORBS) is the largest publicly disclosed institutional holder of Worldcoin (WLD), the token powering World's Proof of Human network.
Who is the CEO of Eightco Holdings?
Kevin O'Donnell is the CEO of Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ: ORBS). The Company's Board includes Tom Lee (Managing Partner and Head of Research at Fundstrat, and Chairman of Bitmine Immersion Technologies (NYSE: BMNR)) and, as an advisor to the Board, Brett Winton (Chief Futurist at ARK Invest).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact could be deemed forward-looking, including, without limitation, statements regarding: the Company's expectations that artificial intelligence, digital identity, and the creator economy will shape the next decade of innovation; expectations regarding the development and adoption of agentic artificial intelligence; media reports regarding OpenAI allegedly preparing to file for an IPO in the coming weeks and expectations that any OpenAI IPO would be among the most significant technology offerings; statements by the Company's Board Member regarding the current technology investment cycle being one of the largest in history, the expectation of enormous investor appetite for AI companies, the belief that OpenAI sits at the center of the AI transformation, and the belief that ORBS' exposure to OpenAI represents one of the most significant value creation opportunities of the coming decade; statements regarding Alphabet's announced plans to raise up to $80 billion for AI-related investments; statements regarding non-human and bot activity percentages across internet platforms, including Polymarket trading volume, web traffic, email, equity execution, website creation, and online product reviews; expectations regarding the adoption of the World ID protocol and the World network across enterprise and consumer applications; beliefs that Proof-of-Human verification is becoming essential infrastructure for social networks, banking, agentic commerce, and financial systems in the agentic AI era; statements regarding World's addressable revenue opportunity of $6.35 trillion across industries spanning banking, e-commerce, gaming, social media, and agentic AI; statements regarding the importance of distribution and audience trust as AI commoditizes content production; and the Company's belief that its treasury portfolio holds critical components for the future AI and digital financial system. Words such as "plans," "expects," "will," "anticipates," "continue," "expand," "advance," "develop," "believes," "guidance," "target," "may," "remain," "project," "outlook," "intend," "estimate," "could," "should," and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: the Company's inability to direct the management or operations of private businesses where the Company is not a controlling stockholder, including OpenAI and Beast Industries; risk of loss or markdown on the Company's strategic investments, including its indirect position in OpenAI equity (held through special purpose vehicles), its position in WLD, and its position in Beast Industries equity; the Company's ability to maintain compliance with Nasdaq's continued listing requirements; unexpected costs, charges or expenses that reduce the Company's capital resources or otherwise delay capital deployment; inability to raise adequate capital to fund or scale its business operations or strategic investments; volatility in digital asset prices, including WLD and ETH, which could materially affect the value of the Company's treasury holdings; regulatory changes, future legislation and rulemaking negatively impacting digital assets, artificial intelligence adoption, or biometric data collection; risks related to the development, adoption, and market acceptance of Proof-of-Human technology and the World network; uncertainty regarding the pace and trajectory of agentic AI deployment in enterprise and consumer applications; uncertainty regarding OpenAI's product roadmap and the timing or success of any IPO; risks that third-party data regarding non-human internet activity may be inaccurate or subject to change; risks related to Beast Industries' ability to achieve its growth projections; and shifting public and governmental positions on digital assets or artificial intelligence-related industries. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause Eightco's actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements herein, see Eightco's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the risk factors and other disclosures in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2026 and other publicly available SEC filings. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Eightco undertakes no duty to update this information or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of such statements to reflect future events or developments, except as required by law.
SOURCE Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ: ORBS)
Eightco treasury composition as of June 3, 2026: $90M OpenAI equity (indirect), $18M Beast Industries equity, 16,278 ETH, 283 million WLD holdings, and $142M cash and equivalents, totaling approximately $437 million
World offers a solution to the 'double human' problem in a world proliferating with deepfakes
Eightco provides indirect exposure to some of the most innovative private companies including OpenAI and Beast Industries
EASTON, Pa., June 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Eightco Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ORBS) ("Eightco" or the "Company") today provided an update on its total holdings, highlighting its growing position across digital assets and strategic investments in leading private technology companies.
As of June 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ET, ORBS' holdings include a $90 million investment (indirectly, through SPVs) in OpenAI, an $18 million funded investment in Beast Industries, a $1 million investment in Mythical Games, 283,452,700 Worldcoin (WLD) at $0.55 per WLD (per Coinbase), 16,278 Ethereum (ETH), and approximately $142 million in total cash and stablecoins, for total holdings of approximately $437 million.
Top AI Headlines Driving the News:
ORBS management believes the Company's treasury portfolio holds some of the most critical components for the future AI and digital financial system. Among the holdings, key highlights in recent weeks are:
- On June 1, Anthropic, recently valued at nearly $1 trillion, confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO, setting up what could become one of the most significant technology offerings in history (Reuters).
- The Anthropic news comes out amidst news that OpenAI is preparing to file to go public in the coming weeks (The New York Times).
- On June 1, Alphabet, parent company of Google, announced plans to raise up to $80 billion to fund AI-related investments and computing infrastructure to meet unprecedented demand (CNBC).
"The market is witnessing one of the largest technology investment cycles in history as AI reshapes industries, business models, and the global economy," said Thomas "Tom" Lee, Board Member of Eightco. "Anthropic's filing highlights the expectation of enormous investor appetite for AI companies. With OpenAI's filing reported to be upcoming, we believe OpenAI sits at the center of this transformation, and ORBS' exposure to the company provides shareholders with participation in what we view as one of the most significant value creation opportunities of the coming decade."
- Data compiled by Fundstrat shows that "non-humans" now account for the following estimated shares of volume on various platforms:
- 75% of Polymarket trading volume
- 53% of web traffic
- 47% of emails sent
- 44% of US equity buy-side execution
- 35% of new website creation
- 30% of online product reviews
Eightco: Exposure to key mega-trends
Eightco is built around three mega-trends the Company expects to shape the next decade of innovation: artificial intelligence, digital identity, and the creator economy, with positions in each trend through indirect investment in OpenAI (21% of ORBS' treasury holdings), Worldcoin (36%), and Beast Industries (4%).
Artificial Intelligence — OpenAI
Eightco has invested approximately $90 million in special purpose vehicles with exposure to equity interests in the parent company of OpenAI, representing approximately 21% of treasury assets, one of the highest disclosed concentrations of any listed vehicle.
ChatGPT, OpenAI's consumer app, is the #1 consumer AI app worldwide (Sensor Tower) and crossed 900 million weekly active users in February 2026, making it the fastest-scaling consumer technology in history (UBS via Reuters).
Digital Identity — WLD Token
Eightco holds over 283 million WLD, approximately 8.4% of circulating supply, the largest publicly disclosed institutional position globally and approximately 36% of the Eightco treasury's assets.
Worldcoin is the native token of World, a global Proof of Human network built by Tools for Humanity (co-founded by Sam Altman and Alex Blania) and stewarded by the World Foundation. Its Orb devices issue a privacy-preserving World ID that verifies a user is a unique human, not an AI agent.
Under World's announced business model, applications pay per-verification fees while end-user verification remains free, with both credential issuers and the World protocol monetizing verified-human authentication. World identifies a $6.35 trillion combined addressable revenue opportunity across 13 industries spanning banking, e-commerce, gaming, social media, and agentic AI (per Tools for Humanity).
Creator Economy — Beast Industries
Eightco has invested $18 million in Beast Industries equity, approximately 4% of treasury assets.
Beast Industries operates one of the largest direct-to-consumer reach footprints in the world, with a combined 500 million-plus follower base across platforms, anchored by MrBeast as the most-watched person on YouTube globally. As AI commoditizes content production, distribution and audience trust become increasingly scarce assets.
About Eightco Holdings Inc.
Eightco Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ORBS) is a publicly traded company executing a first-of-its-kind Worldcoin (WLD) treasury strategy, providing investors single-ticker indirect exposure to three of the defining trends of this cycle: artificial intelligence through its indirect investment in OpenAI, digital identity through its position as the largest public holder of WLD and the Proof of Human protocol, and the creator economy through its equity stake in MrBeast's Beast Industries. Backed by leading institutional investors including Bitmine Immersion Technologies Inc. (NYSE: BMNR), MOZAYYX, World Foundation, CoinFund, Discovery Capital Management, FalconX, Payward/Kraken, Pantera, and GSR, Eightco is building the infrastructure layer for human verification in the agentic AI era.
For more information:
X: @iamhuman_orbs
Website: 8co.holdings
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ORBS stock?
Eightco Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ORBS) is a publicly traded company on Nasdaq. ORBS provides indirect exposure to: OpenAI and Beast Industries.
Who owns the most Worldcoin (WLD)?
Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ: ORBS) holds 283 million WLD, approximately 8.4% of circulating supply and the largest publicly disclosed institutional position globally.
What is Proof of Human?
Proof of Human is cryptographic verification that a user is a unique, living person, not a bot or AI agent. It is foundational infrastructure for social networks, banking, agentic commerce, and any system requiring "one person, one account" in the agentic AI era.
How does Eightco (ORBS) relate to Proof of Human?
Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ: ORBS) is the largest publicly disclosed institutional holder of Worldcoin (WLD), the token powering World's Proof of Human network.
Who is the CEO of Eightco Holdings?
Kevin O'Donnell is the CEO of Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ: ORBS). The Company's Board includes Tom Lee (Managing Partner and Head of Research at Fundstrat, and Chairman of Bitmine Immersion Technologies (NYSE: BMNR)) and, as an advisor to the Board, Brett Winton (Chief Futurist at ARK Invest).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact could be deemed forward-looking, including, without limitation, statements regarding: the Company's expectations that artificial intelligence, digital identity, and the creator economy will shape the next decade of innovation; expectations regarding the development and adoption of agentic artificial intelligence; media reports regarding OpenAI allegedly preparing to file for an IPO in the coming weeks and expectations that any OpenAI IPO would be among the most significant technology offerings; statements by the Company's Board Member regarding the current technology investment cycle being one of the largest in history, the expectation of enormous investor appetite for AI companies, the belief that OpenAI sits at the center of the AI transformation, and the belief that ORBS' exposure to OpenAI represents one of the most significant value creation opportunities of the coming decade; statements regarding Alphabet's announced plans to raise up to $80 billion for AI-related investments; statements regarding non-human and bot activity percentages across internet platforms, including Polymarket trading volume, web traffic, email, equity execution, website creation, and online product reviews; expectations regarding the adoption of the World ID protocol and the World network across enterprise and consumer applications; beliefs that Proof-of-Human verification is becoming essential infrastructure for social networks, banking, agentic commerce, and financial systems in the agentic AI era; statements regarding World's addressable revenue opportunity of $6.35 trillion across industries spanning banking, e-commerce, gaming, social media, and agentic AI; statements regarding the importance of distribution and audience trust as AI commoditizes content production; and the Company's belief that its treasury portfolio holds critical components for the future AI and digital financial system. Words such as "plans," "expects," "will," "anticipates," "continue," "expand," "advance," "develop," "believes," "guidance," "target," "may," "remain," "project," "outlook," "intend," "estimate," "could," "should," and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: the Company's inability to direct the management or operations of private businesses where the Company is not a controlling stockholder, including OpenAI and Beast Industries; risk of loss or markdown on the Company's strategic investments, including its indirect position in OpenAI equity (held through special purpose vehicles), its position in WLD, and its position in Beast Industries equity; the Company's ability to maintain compliance with Nasdaq's continued listing requirements; unexpected costs, charges or expenses that reduce the Company's capital resources or otherwise delay capital deployment; inability to raise adequate capital to fund or scale its business operations or strategic investments; volatility in digital asset prices, including WLD and ETH, which could materially affect the value of the Company's treasury holdings; regulatory changes, future legislation and rulemaking negatively impacting digital assets, artificial intelligence adoption, or biometric data collection; risks related to the development, adoption, and market acceptance of Proof-of-Human technology and the World network; uncertainty regarding the pace and trajectory of agentic AI deployment in enterprise and consumer applications; uncertainty regarding OpenAI's product roadmap and the timing or success of any IPO; risks that third-party data regarding non-human internet activity may be inaccurate or subject to change; risks related to Beast Industries' ability to achieve its growth projections; and shifting public and governmental positions on digital assets or artificial intelligence-related industries. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause Eightco's actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements herein, see Eightco's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the risk factors and other disclosures in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2026 and other publicly available SEC filings. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Eightco undertakes no duty to update this information or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of such statements to reflect future events or developments, except as required by law.
SOURCE Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ: ORBS)
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ: ORBS) Reports Total Holdings of Approximately $437 Million, Includes OpenAI, Beast Industries, More Than 16,000 ETH and Over 283 Million WLD Tokens
Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ: ORBS) Reports Total Holdings of Approximately $437 Million, Includes OpenAI, Beast Industries, More Than 16,000 ETH and Over 283 Million WLD Tokens
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PALO ALTO, Calif., June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanford University Libraries are excited to announce two new members to its leadership team effective June 1. Sarah Sussman will join as the Assistant University Librarian for Collections and Public Services in the Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences, and Alma Parada will serve as the Assistant University Librarian for Collections and Public Services in Sciences and Engineering.
"Both Sarah and Alma will be wonderful additions to the Libraries' leadership team known as the Library Executive Group," says Michael A. Keller, the Ida M. Green University Librarian. "As AULs for Collections and Public Services, they will oversee one of the largest areas in the Libraries covering collections management and public services across twenty libraries and centers. Their incredible talents, skills, and contributions to the Libraries over the years are attestments to the leadership they will bring to their new roles. I am thrilled to welcome such remarkable leaders to our Library Executive Group."
Sarah Sussman: Leading Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences
Sussman started at the Libraries in 2002 as Curator of the French and Italian Collections soon after finishing her PhD in History at Stanford. During her tenure, she developed both the general and special collections in French and Italian focusing on women in France and Italy, history of science and exploration, 18th century French literature and history, and the French empire. Notably, in 2020, she led the acquisition of the Roxane Debuisson Collection on Paris History, a unique and extensive collection documenting the history of Paris through its infrastructure and commerce. The Debuisson Collection is widely used by Stanford faculty today.
James P. Daughton, Professor of History, praises Sussman's role in bringing the collection to Stanford, "Without her determination and leadership, Stanford would not have been able to acquire what is one of the finest private collections in the history of France. In addition to [being] a formidable researcher, she has curated a collection of primary sources that has made Stanford an internationally recognized center for its collections related to French history, culture, and society."
Adds Keith Baker, the J. E. Wallace Sterling Professor of the Humanities, "Sarah Sussman is a superb librarian – knowledgeable, curious, resourceful, generous in support of student and faculty research, and deeply committed to strengthening the collections under her care."
In 2011, Sussman became the head of the International and Area Studies Resource Group, later reconfigured as the Humanities and Area Studies Resource Group (HASRG) in 2017. Leading the HASRG has provided Sussman a natural step forward to her AUL role. "I am excited to build on my curatorial and management experience in a more strategic role as AUL for Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences Collections and Services," shares Sussman. "Guiding my vision is the belief that research and teaching in the global humanities and social sciences are more critical than ever in today's complicated world. I look forward to working with colleagues across the libraries to address the challenges that new technologies and research methodologies offer Stanford's amazing subject librarians and collections in these fields."
Sussman's colleagues are equally excited for her new role. Benjamin Stone, Curator for American and British History, remarks, "Sarah has excelled at building, maintaining, and exposing unique collections at SUL, including rare books and manuscripts, while at the same time staying abreast of technological developments and innovation. At a national and international level, Sarah's long engagement and leadership in the European Studies Section of ACRL exemplifies her commitment to building collaborative relationships with libraries far and wide. The Libraries and the broader Stanford community are highly fortunate to have Sarah's leadership as incoming AUL for Humanities and Social Sciences."
Alma Parada: Leading Sciences and Engineering
Parada's journey to the Libraries echoes that of Sussman's, coming to Stanford in 2016 as a postdoctoral scholar in Marine Biology after receiving her PhD in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography from the University of Southern California in 2015. She started as the Earth and Environmental Sciences Librarian in 2021, a role she retained when she became Head Librarian for the Branner Earth Sciences Library & Map Collections in 2024.
In her dual roles, Parada managed one of the most comprehensive libraries in the Earth Sciences with its vast holdings in geophysics, energy, climate, and geology, along with its renowned map collections and the GeoSpatial Map Center housed in Branner Library. In 2022, she skillfully navigated Branner Library during the School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences' transformation to the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, continuing Branner Library's support of faculty and students in these new departments.
Faculty and colleagues from across the Doerr School have praised Parada's role in leading Branner Library and welcome her appointment as AUL. Stephan Graham, the Welton Joseph and Maude L'Anphere Crook Professor in Applied Earth Sciences, states, "Dr. Parada has fully met my expectations as Branner Head Librarian. Her background as a Ph.D. holder in Biological Sciences has given her a fundamental understanding of what a nationally recognized Earth library needs to maintain and advance its quality."
Simon Klemperer, Professor of Geophysics, notes Parada's enthusiastic work with students in particular. "Every year," he recounts, "I teach our capstone Senior Seminar to Geophysics and EPS (formerly Geology) students [and have…] found great value in bringing Alma into my classroom to teach the undergraduates how to take advantage of our library system, how to find and properly utilize resources in their own research."
While both acknowledge the loss Parada's departure will be for Branner Library and the Doerr School, they are pleased that she will not be too far away in her AUL role. "The silver lining to Alma's promotion is that she will still be responsible for Branner, and that, as a faculty member, I can be reassured that she will mentor her successor and keep a watchful eye over her former branch library," adds Klemperer.
Parada will bring her extensive research background into this next chapter with the Libraries, "I am delighted to continue my journey at Stanford in this new leadership role and look forward to working with my colleagues to continue evolving our support of science and engineering research and scholarship in partnership with the entire team across the Libraries," says Parada.
Amanda Whitmire, Head Librarian for Hopkins Marine Library, concurs, "Alma has shown consistent growth and development as Head of Branner Library, and I am confident in her leadership. I look forward to collaborating with her in this new role."
As AUL in their respective areas, both Sussman and Parada will oversee collections development and public services including reference, instruction, and research consultations across multiple libraries and centers. They will also retain some aspects of their current roles. Sussman will continue to develop the Libraries' holdings of French rarities and unicae for the Department of Special Collections while Parada will consider and oversee the addition of digital items, collections, and licensing for Stanford's researchers in the sciences, engineering, and sustainability.
Together, they will lead teams of subject specialist librarians and staff who serve faculty and students across Stanford's schools and departments. In their AUL roles, they will shape strategic priorities for building world-class collections in both digital and analog formats, developing innovative services, and fostering partnerships with academic departments to advance Stanford's teaching and research missions.
These appointments reflect Stanford University Libraries' commitment to supporting research across all disciplines while responding to the evolving needs of scholarship in the 21st century. With combined expertise spanning humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields, Sussman and Parada are well-positioned to lead Stanford University Libraries in these areas to support the research and teaching needs at Stanford.
About Stanford University Libraries
The Stanford University Libraries are a dynamic network of libraries, librarians, information technology specialists, and a vast collection of academic resources that are dedicated to supporting research, teaching, and learning at Stanford. The Libraries hold over fifteen million items in various genres and formats, including e-resources, fifty subject specialists, twenty campus libraries and centers, and a broad spectrum of services. The Libraries' archival collections span 96,000 linear feet of materials, 329,781 rare books and manuscripts, and 300 terabytes from hundreds of local and distant collections. The holdings include a large and growing collection of artistic photographs as well as photographs and documents about the history of civil rights in the Mexican American, African American, and Asian American communities, such as the documentary photographic collections of Bob Fitch and David Bacon. There are also political papers of both local and state politicians, such as the recently acquired papers of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein; historical maps featured in the David Rumsey Map Collection; and the incredibly diverse history covered in the Silicon Valley Archives. These archival collections and more are available at the Libraries in the Department of Special Collections and in the Stanford Digital Repository. Finding aids to the Libraries' archival collections are accessible in the Online Archive of California. The Libraries' physical and digital spaces are designed to promote freedom and discovery, making knowledge-seeking more meaningful, more personal, and more connected than ever. The opportunities for contributing to and transforming the commonwealth of knowledge are wide and deep at Stanford University Libraries.
Contact
Stanford University Libraries, Assistant University Librarian for External Relations Anh Ly anhly@stanford.edu
PALO ALTO, Calif., June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanford University Libraries are excited to announce two new members to its leadership team effective June 1. Sarah Sussman will join as the Assistant University Librarian for Collections and Public Services in the Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences, and Alma Parada will serve as the Assistant University Librarian for Collections and Public Services in Sciences and Engineering.
"Both Sarah and Alma will be wonderful additions to the Libraries' leadership team known as the Library Executive Group," says Michael A. Keller, the Ida M. Green University Librarian. "As AULs for Collections and Public Services, they will oversee one of the largest areas in the Libraries covering collections management and public services across twenty libraries and centers. Their incredible talents, skills, and contributions to the Libraries over the years are attestments to the leadership they will bring to their new roles. I am thrilled to welcome such remarkable leaders to our Library Executive Group."
Sarah Sussman: Leading Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences
Sussman started at the Libraries in 2002 as Curator of the French and Italian Collections soon after finishing her PhD in History at Stanford. During her tenure, she developed both the general and special collections in French and Italian focusing on women in France and Italy, history of science and exploration, 18th century French literature and history, and the French empire. Notably, in 2020, she led the acquisition of the Roxane Debuisson Collection on Paris History, a unique and extensive collection documenting the history of Paris through its infrastructure and commerce. The Debuisson Collection is widely used by Stanford faculty today.
James P. Daughton, Professor of History, praises Sussman's role in bringing the collection to Stanford, "Without her determination and leadership, Stanford would not have been able to acquire what is one of the finest private collections in the history of France. In addition to [being] a formidable researcher, she has curated a collection of primary sources that has made Stanford an internationally recognized center for its collections related to French history, culture, and society."
Adds Keith Baker, the J. E. Wallace Sterling Professor of the Humanities, "Sarah Sussman is a superb librarian – knowledgeable, curious, resourceful, generous in support of student and faculty research, and deeply committed to strengthening the collections under her care."
In 2011, Sussman became the head of the International and Area Studies Resource Group, later reconfigured as the Humanities and Area Studies Resource Group (HASRG) in 2017. Leading the HASRG has provided Sussman a natural step forward to her AUL role. "I am excited to build on my curatorial and management experience in a more strategic role as AUL for Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences Collections and Services," shares Sussman. "Guiding my vision is the belief that research and teaching in the global humanities and social sciences are more critical than ever in today's complicated world. I look forward to working with colleagues across the libraries to address the challenges that new technologies and research methodologies offer Stanford's amazing subject librarians and collections in these fields."
Sussman's colleagues are equally excited for her new role. Benjamin Stone, Curator for American and British History, remarks, "Sarah has excelled at building, maintaining, and exposing unique collections at SUL, including rare books and manuscripts, while at the same time staying abreast of technological developments and innovation. At a national and international level, Sarah's long engagement and leadership in the European Studies Section of ACRL exemplifies her commitment to building collaborative relationships with libraries far and wide. The Libraries and the broader Stanford community are highly fortunate to have Sarah's leadership as incoming AUL for Humanities and Social Sciences."
Alma Parada: Leading Sciences and Engineering
Parada's journey to the Libraries echoes that of Sussman's, coming to Stanford in 2016 as a postdoctoral scholar in Marine Biology after receiving her PhD in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography from the University of Southern California in 2015. She started as the Earth and Environmental Sciences Librarian in 2021, a role she retained when she became Head Librarian for the Branner Earth Sciences Library & Map Collections in 2024.
In her dual roles, Parada managed one of the most comprehensive libraries in the Earth Sciences with its vast holdings in geophysics, energy, climate, and geology, along with its renowned map collections and the GeoSpatial Map Center housed in Branner Library. In 2022, she skillfully navigated Branner Library during the School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences' transformation to the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, continuing Branner Library's support of faculty and students in these new departments.
Faculty and colleagues from across the Doerr School have praised Parada's role in leading Branner Library and welcome her appointment as AUL. Stephan Graham, the Welton Joseph and Maude L'Anphere Crook Professor in Applied Earth Sciences, states, "Dr. Parada has fully met my expectations as Branner Head Librarian. Her background as a Ph.D. holder in Biological Sciences has given her a fundamental understanding of what a nationally recognized Earth library needs to maintain and advance its quality."
Simon Klemperer, Professor of Geophysics, notes Parada's enthusiastic work with students in particular. "Every year," he recounts, "I teach our capstone Senior Seminar to Geophysics and EPS (formerly Geology) students [and have…] found great value in bringing Alma into my classroom to teach the undergraduates how to take advantage of our library system, how to find and properly utilize resources in their own research."
While both acknowledge the loss Parada's departure will be for Branner Library and the Doerr School, they are pleased that she will not be too far away in her AUL role. "The silver lining to Alma's promotion is that she will still be responsible for Branner, and that, as a faculty member, I can be reassured that she will mentor her successor and keep a watchful eye over her former branch library," adds Klemperer.
Parada will bring her extensive research background into this next chapter with the Libraries, "I am delighted to continue my journey at Stanford in this new leadership role and look forward to working with my colleagues to continue evolving our support of science and engineering research and scholarship in partnership with the entire team across the Libraries," says Parada.
Amanda Whitmire, Head Librarian for Hopkins Marine Library, concurs, "Alma has shown consistent growth and development as Head of Branner Library, and I am confident in her leadership. I look forward to collaborating with her in this new role."
As AUL in their respective areas, both Sussman and Parada will oversee collections development and public services including reference, instruction, and research consultations across multiple libraries and centers. They will also retain some aspects of their current roles. Sussman will continue to develop the Libraries' holdings of French rarities and unicae for the Department of Special Collections while Parada will consider and oversee the addition of digital items, collections, and licensing for Stanford's researchers in the sciences, engineering, and sustainability.
Together, they will lead teams of subject specialist librarians and staff who serve faculty and students across Stanford's schools and departments. In their AUL roles, they will shape strategic priorities for building world-class collections in both digital and analog formats, developing innovative services, and fostering partnerships with academic departments to advance Stanford's teaching and research missions.
These appointments reflect Stanford University Libraries' commitment to supporting research across all disciplines while responding to the evolving needs of scholarship in the 21st century. With combined expertise spanning humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields, Sussman and Parada are well-positioned to lead Stanford University Libraries in these areas to support the research and teaching needs at Stanford.
About Stanford University Libraries
The Stanford University Libraries are a dynamic network of libraries, librarians, information technology specialists, and a vast collection of academic resources that are dedicated to supporting research, teaching, and learning at Stanford. The Libraries hold over fifteen million items in various genres and formats, including e-resources, fifty subject specialists, twenty campus libraries and centers, and a broad spectrum of services. The Libraries' archival collections span 96,000 linear feet of materials, 329,781 rare books and manuscripts, and 300 terabytes from hundreds of local and distant collections. The holdings include a large and growing collection of artistic photographs as well as photographs and documents about the history of civil rights in the Mexican American, African American, and Asian American communities, such as the documentary photographic collections of Bob Fitch and David Bacon. There are also political papers of both local and state politicians, such as the recently acquired papers of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein; historical maps featured in the David Rumsey Map Collection; and the incredibly diverse history covered in the Silicon Valley Archives. These archival collections and more are available at the Libraries in the Department of Special Collections and in the Stanford Digital Repository. Finding aids to the Libraries' archival collections are accessible in the Online Archive of California. The Libraries' physical and digital spaces are designed to promote freedom and discovery, making knowledge-seeking more meaningful, more personal, and more connected than ever. The opportunities for contributing to and transforming the commonwealth of knowledge are wide and deep at Stanford University Libraries.
Contact
Stanford University Libraries, Assistant University Librarian for External Relations Anh Ly anhly@stanford.edu
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Stanford University Libraries Welcome Two New Assistant University Librarians
Stanford University Libraries Welcome Two New Assistant University Librarians
