Olivia Spain

Olivia Spain is Vice President of Mobile at Blackboard (www.blackboardmobile.com), a company committed to a better educational experience through technology.  Blackboard Mobile is committed to providing innovative mobile solutions to educational institutions around the world.  Blackboard’s mobile solutions allow institutions to enrich teaching and learning by leveraging mobile devices for anytime, anywhere learning thanks to their affordability, portability, functionality, and collaborative abilities.  Blackboard’s mobile solutions also focus on life outside the classroom and enhance engagement with the student and the school’s community.

Olivia oversees all operations aspects of Blackboard Mobile, including financial management, market research, product positioning, launch strategy and execution, staffing, sales operations and coordination with other product platforms within Blackboard.

Olivia’s interest is in driving the adoption of mobile applications in the K-12 and Higher Education markets.  Apps are truly redefining the way people engage with information and media.  The time spent on mobile apps has actually surpassed web browsing.  Educators need to bridge the gap between the way students live and the way students learn.  The wide-spread use of mobile devices has already changed the way people connect with information, resources, and each other. The question now is how schools and districts can best leverage mobile devices – whatever those devices may be – to make learning more personal; accessing learning resources easier; and improve communication and engagement with all stakeholders in the community using mobile technology available now.

Prior to leading Blackboard Mobile Operations, Spain spent 14 years working in various Sales and Marketing roles at Blackboard and The Advisory Board Company.  Most recently, Olivia was the Senior Director of Global Sales Operations at Blackboard, responsible for sales on-boarding, training, RFP management, as well as recruitment and professional development.

Olivia received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Richmond.  She lives in Arlington, Virginia with her husband and two children.