Michael Smith
Michael Smith is a Silicon Valley High-Tech executive with 25+ years of experience in an exemplary Fortune 10 company as well as fast-moving software and cloud services start-ups. Most recently, Mike founded an innovative SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) platform to share knowledge that is being launched later this year. Prior to this, he created, grew, and sold Sequoia Worldwide, a Cloud software and services company, and participated in a successful IPO (Initial Public Offering) 18 months later.
Mike’s accomplishments in the world of start-ups was fueled by a diverse and rewarding career at various business units of Hewlett Packard including a two-year assignment in Germany. At HP, he reached the position of Vice President and General Manager within the server business group where he managed large world-wide teams and budgets. Mike led support technologies, service delivery, quality, customer experience, as well as service revenue growth and profitability within his division.
Mike has a BA in Economics and Computer Applications from the University of Notre Dame and a MS in Technology Management from Pepperdine University.
In the classroom, Mike is passionate about sharing his specific knowledge with students, bringing real-life experiences into our discussions to amplify learning, and developing critical business thinkers and leaders.
Outside of work, Mike is active in non-profit organizations and enjoys being outdoors whenever he can whether its hiking the hills around the Bay Area or gardening at home. He has two grown daughters and lives near Palo Alto with his wife, Deb and labradoodle, Holly.