Michael Chasen, Innovator and Founder of Blackboard Inc.
Michael Chasen is the president and chief executive officer for Blackboard Inc. He and Matthew Pittinsky founded Blackboard in 1997. According to Blackboard Inc., “his expertise managing fast growth Internet software companies coupled with a passion to enhance education through technology has been critical to Blackboard’s success.” Chasen is recognized as an innovator. Among his many awards and acknowledgements, Chasen was honoured by the The Kilby Awards Foundation as a young Innovator “for having recognized and delivered on the demand for a high-quality, easy-to-use, and cost-effective online educational software platform” http://www.blackboard.com/About-Bb/Who-We-Are/Leadership/Michael-Chasen.aspx.
With a value proposition that focused on e-learning educational technology, Blackboard Inc. has expanded both customer base and service breadth to become a multibillion dollar company that provides a service to millions of people. Blackboard Inc. offers an array of learning and educational management services through a variety of online platforms. Through strategic mergers and acquisitions the company has grown from a one product company to an integrated multiplatform education enterprise software provider. Its platforms are Blackboard: Learn, Transact, Engage, Connect, Mobile, Collaborate, and Analytics. Much of this growth is attributed to Michael Chasen and his team.
Michael Chasen’s profile reveals a man who garnered the necessary skills and experience to create Blackboard and champion its vision; as well as a man who harnesses key leaders to guide the ship. His education and training includes an MBA from Georgetown University and an undergraduate degree in computer science from American University. Prior to founding Blackboard, Chasen worked at KPMG as a part of the company’s Higher Education Practice. “He worked closely with several universities and colleges to implement wide-ranging software systems and also managed high-profile online development projects within the U.S. Department of Education” http://www.blackboard.com/About-Bb/Who-We-Are/Leadership/Michael-Chasen.aspx. While the degrees armed him with the necessary foundations in business and computer science to establish Blackboard, I think the experience garnered at KPMG was crucial to his understanding of the education market, its players and the pain points that existed. He was able to leverage into the development solutions via of Blackboard’s various platforms.
Blackboard’s leadership team comprises a diverse skill set suitable for the platforms that they lead or for their roles they have. Blackboard’s hiring practices reflect a focus on leaders with proven track records honed through many years of experience in their fields. The team’s wealth of experience and expertise build and enhance the company’s credibility, help to cement its place in the market and expands Blackboard’s connections and network. See each member’s profile at http://www.blackboard.com/About-Bb/Who-We-Are/Leadership.aspx.
Lisa Nevoral 7:36 pm on September 30, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Sophia,
Michael Chasen definitely seems to have the background (undergrad – computer science and MBA) to competently lead the Blackboard Inc. team and make the company a success. I wonder if it will ever be used at the high school or middle school levels in Canada. Although it is cost-effective, school districts may opt to use open source learning management systems like Moodle to fill the need for these technologies to save on costs. But I commend Chasen for the forethought to work closely with universities and colleges, to spread the idea of the Blackboard Inc. LMS through them.
Lisa
sophiabb 9:37 am on October 2, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Lisa, good point. Although there is a cost to Moodle (server hosting, tech support) it seems to be more cost effective than Blackboard. Many schools, colleges, and companies are using Moodle as their LMS.
jameschen 12:19 am on October 1, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi sophiabb,
I think you made a good point about the importance of Chasen’s experience at KPMG being vital to the success of his company. It seems that successful entrepreneurs in learning technology need to have enough experience in both the business sector and the field of education before starting their own companies. Knowing how to build a company’s product from scratch also seems to be another key element in the success of an entrepreneur.
James
sophiabb 9:51 am on October 2, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi James, great point re entrepreneurs involvement in the development from scratch. I think that entrepreneurs who are involved from scratch are more passionate and credible in their pitch delivery. Are we more inclined to say ‘yes’ to such an entrepreneur?
jameschen 4:03 pm on October 2, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I think as an EVA in training, I am more inclined to say ‘yes’ to an entrepreneur who has credibility and competence and a viable idea (Section 2.6). Seeing how Blackboard is gradually expanding its operations, I think its initial investors made the right decision.
James
Peggy Lawson 7:15 pm on October 1, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Just as an aside – I attended Blackboard’s annual conference, Blackboard World, a few years ago. Michael know’s how to throw a great party!
Peggy
sophiabb 9:39 am on October 2, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Peggy, thanks for sharing. Wonder if I can get an invite to the next conference.