Lou Pugliese is a visionary and accomplished social entrepreneur known for his innovative ideas and ability to create impactful education programs that unite and inspire learning communities. With a diverse background spanning various sectors, including entrepreneurship, academia, and equity-focused organizations, Pugliese has consistently demonstrated his commitment to driving positive change. He specializes in developing technology-driven community networks that utilize data, research, and insights to support and advance educational outcomes. Throughout his career, Pugliese has embraced the belief that every learning community is unique and that harnessing the resources, knowledge, and talent within each community is essential for fostering economic growth at all levels of society. In Academia, Pugliese served as the executive vice president of the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), where he brought over 20 years of experience in e-Learning innovation. He spearheaded new strategic directions in workforce education and national labor market programs during his tenure. As the Senior Innovation Fellow and Managing Director of Arizona State University's (ASU) Action Lab, Pugliese established and led a research and development enterprise focused on student performance research and digital teaching and learning models. In Entrepreneurship, Pugliese held senior leadership positions in venture capital and EdTech companies. He served as the chairman and CEO of Moodlerooms, entrepreneur-in-residence for Novak BiddleVenture Partners, and CEO of AnswerLogic. Pugliese's expertise also extends to social ventures, as he was appointed CEO of the University of Maryland's UMUC Ventures, a nonprofit social impact fund that invests in and manages early-stage education technology enterprises. The aim is to enhance the online learning experience, develop data systems for student outcomes, and improve university operations. Pugliese's contributions to technology innovation exemplify his role as CEO of Blackboard Inc., where he led the organization to become the world's largest global e-learning platform for learning communities. At Arizona State University, he led evidence-based applied research, developing business intelligence systems and robust data environments to monitor, intervene, and predict learner behavior and student success. In Social Impact, Pugliese teaches education entrepreneurship at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and has taught at the University of Maryland, College Park. Pugliese actively participates in organizations such as the Community Coalition for Haiti and Bridge to Rwanda, which promote student learning through teacher development and creating safe, learning-centered school environments. Pugliese's experience extends beyond traditional educational settings. He has played a significant role in designing technology-based education solutions to improve access to learning for remote and disadvantaged communities in developing nations, particularly in Latin America, Haiti, and sub-Saharan Africa.