René Peters `09 is Revolutionizing the Tech World with his Work in Virtual and Augmented Reality

From the classrooms of Cincinnati Country Day School to the cutting-edge labs of NVIDIA, René Peters `09 is transforming the way we interact with technology.

René came to Country Day in first grade after his mother, Tresonne Peters, became a teacher in the Lower School. Early on he knew that he had a passion for science, and it didn’t take long for him to realize that engineering and chemistry were areas of study he wanted to learn more about. Then, as an Upper School student, he began pursuing classes that were aligned with his interests.

“The thought of creating and producing tangible items was always attractive to me,” says René. “But through classes I took and summer programs I participated in, I came to understand that as far as scientific concepts, chemistry held some of my favorite knowledge.”

At Country Day, René excelled not only in academics but also as a key player on the soccer team. One of René’s fondest memories at Country Day is scoring the winning goal – the only goal – against Seven Hills his freshman year in the Miami Valley Conference championship match. “It was such an intense game and then when I scored that goal everyone in the stands cheered with hope that it had secured the win. And it did! It’s a memory I will never forget.”

In addition to his soccer success, René was a state-qualifying long jumper and sprinter on the track team, where he had many great times with Coach Howard Brownstein, Coach Merle Black, and Coach Steve Connor.

His dedication and talent in track led him to run at MIT, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He then attended Northwestern University, earning a master’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in design innovation.

René now works as a product manager for NVIDIA, a world leader in artificial intelligence computing. There is no such thing as a “typical” day, but his day often involves meetings with stakeholders to discuss technology, product testing in the lab, and hosting clients, such as those from Hyundai or Kia, for immersive automotive virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) experiences at NVIDIA’s headquarters.

René’s dedication and leadership continue to shine brightly, inspiring others and making a lasting impact. In February 2024, the Puget Sound Business Journal honored him with the 40 Under 40 Award for his deep community ties and exceptional professional accomplishments. René has significantly advanced the use of technology by Seattle community organizations to support underserved communities. He has served on Seattle's Surveillance Advisory Working Group, the Community Technology Advisory Board, and the review board of the city's Technology Matching Fund.

“Being a recipient of this award is an affirmation of the work I have been doing and how I use my knowledge, experience, and privileges to give back to people who may not know about technology or may not have access to it,” says René. “I take the 40 Under 40 Award as a nod to keep going, to not let off the gas, and to continue to develop and be creative in how I seek opportunities to learn.”

René credits his time at Country Day as heavily impacting his future in many ways, through the school’s progressive laptop program, the inclusive community, and the ample leadership opportunities he was provided.

“From being a leader in Black Cultural Workshop to being a peer mentor and leading a class of freshmen in health class, there were always leadership opportunities available to me and that has played a big role in what I do today,” says René. “AP Chemistry with Ms. [Paula] Butler was huge for me; I really enjoyed the labs and knowledge that I gained in that class. I think having the ability to not just study concepts but to be hands-on makes all the difference. And Ms. Butler is the person who encouraged me to do one of the summer programs that ultimately changed my entire trajectory at MIT.”

René exemplifies the spirit of innovation and leadership fostered at Cincinnati Country Day School. His journey from a curious student to a leading product manager at NVIDIA shows the power of passion, education, and perseverance. As René continues to push the boundaries of virtual, augmented, and extended reality, he remains a testament to the impact of a strong educational foundation and the endless possibilities that come with dedication and hard work.

“If students are interested in this world I live in – this world of technology – I encourage them not to get stuck on what technology looks like today because in the next 10 to 20 years things are going to shift, and breakthroughs are going to happen. Country Day has so many resources and I encourage the students to lean into those resources – whether they are teachers who could change the trajectory of your life or a class that sparks your curiosity and creativity.”

Written by Chelsey Combs, college intern