Stephen Laster, CEO of Panopto and a 25-year veteran in the edtech space, joins Dustin to talk about how smart technology—and especially AI—can elevate educators rather than overshadow them. From his early days pioneering blended MBA programs to leading at institutions like Harvard Business School and McGraw-Hill, Stephen shares how technology should be applied to serve pedagogy, not the other way around.

In this episode, you'll hear why seamless digital ecosystems matter, how institutions can build effective AI strategies, and why empowering faculty is the key to meaningful innovation. With a refreshingly human-centered view, Stephen helps us rethink what's possible when tech meets intention.

Guest Name: Stephen Laster - CEO at Panopto

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: A passionate advocate for technology’s role in human progress, Stephen Laster combines deep expertise with pragmatic innovation to help shape the future of formal and informal learning delivered through state-of-the-art technology. With more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of education and enterprise transformation, Stephen has championed advancements in learning technology. At D2L, where he served as President, he played a pivotal role in scaling digital learning platforms for institutions and organizations across the globe. His background also includes forward-thinking roles at McGraw-Hill Education, Ellucian, Harvard Business School, and Babson College, where his teams worked closely with customers to transform learning globally. Stephen holds a Bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College and an MBA from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College.

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Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/

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