Michael Chasen

Michael Chasen
Nationality	American
Alma mater	American University, Georgetown University
Occupation	CEO of SocialRadar
Known for	Co-founder of Blackboard Inc. along with Matthew Pittinsky, Stephen Gilfus, Daniel Cane

Michael Chasen is an American businessman and entrepreneur. He is a co-founder and former CEO of Blackboard Inc., a position he held from 1999 to 2012. In April 2013, Chasen co-founded SocialRadar, a technology startup company developing a location-based social app.

Michael Chasen grew up in Cheshire, Connecticut. He developed an interest in computers at age 10, and he began writing programs on his father’s Radio Shack TRS Model III. He later used his skills to offer local businesses computer consulting while still in school. Also during high school, he was an active member of BBYO (B'nai B'rith Youth Organization).

Chasen attended American University and completed a degree in computer science in three years, graduating in 1993. While at American, Chasen worked part-time doing technology work for the FBI. He met future Blackboard co-founder Matthew Pittinsky in the American University dorms when Pittinsky wanted to borrow Chasen’s laser printer.

Following his undergraduate degree, Chasen earned an MBA with a focus in accounting from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business in 1995.

While still at Georgetown, Chasen was inspired by the application process to multiple undergraduate and MBA programs to start Search and Apply Group, a company that offered a computer application allowing colleges to accept online applications. After hearing about Search and Apply Group, Greg Baroni, who was Matthew Pittinsky’s manager at KPMG Peat Marwick (now KPMG Consulting), offered Chasen a job. In 1996, Chasen left law school after completing one year to join KPMG as a consultant in the Higher Education Group.

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