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Alex Humphreys
Vice President Innovation
Professional Background
Alex Humphreys is a dynamic leader and innovator in the field of digital scholarship and product management. With a wealth of experience that spans multiple prestigious organizations, Alex has consistently applied a design thinking approach and lean startup principles to revolutionize how scholars, researchers, teachers, and students interact with digital tools and services. Currently serving as the Vice President of Innovation at ITHAKA, Alex leverages his entrepreneurial spirit to foster a culture of creativity and forward-thinking at the organization.
Previously, Alex held various leadership roles at ITHAKA, including Associate Vice President of JSTOR and Director of JSTOR Labs. His visionary guidance in these positions has significantly enhanced JSTOR’s mission of providing access to digital resources and promoting knowledge sharing across the academic community. His innovative mindset has also made a mark in platform strategy, where he worked as an Associate Vice President, ensuring that ITHAKA's digital offerings are effective and user-friendly.
Before joining ITHAKA, Alex made substantial contributions to the field of publishing and online services at Oxford University Press, Inc., where he served as Director of Business Technology Services and Director of Online Engineering. His deep understanding of technology and user needs has enabled him to bridge the gap between engineering teams and user experience, resulting in the creation of impactful digital products.
Moreover, Alex's career features a rich history of project management and digital innovation. From his early days as Internet Guru at Semaphore, Inc. to his role as Associate Producer and Marketing Assistant at Time Warner Electronic Publishing, he has cultivated a diverse skill set that uniquely positions him to lead interdisciplinary teams in the development of groundbreaking educational technologies.
Education and Achievements
Alex Humphreys holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Hunter College, where he honed his skills in creative thinking and design methodologies. Additionally, he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Hamilton College, where he cultivated a strong foundation in liberal arts education that continues to inform his innovative practices in digital humanities and publishing today.
Through his extensive career, Alex has garnered numerous accolades for his leadership and contributions to digital scholarship. His work has not only enhanced the capabilities of the institutions he has been part of but has also inspired countless professionals in the industry to adopt innovative strategies that prioritize user experience and creative problem-solving.
Achievements
- Vice President of Innovation at ITHAKA: Currently spearheading innovative projects that enhance digital tools for academic engagement.
- Associate Vice President, JSTOR: Instrumental in expanding JSTOR's services and user accessibility, making research more readily available to a broader audience.
- Director, JSTOR Labs: Led initiatives focused on the development and testing of new digital products geared towards enhancing user experiences in research.
- Director of Business Technology Services at Oxford University Press: Managed teams in the implementation of cutting-edge technology solutions that improved publishing processes and accessibility.
- Former Internet Guru at Semaphore, Inc.: Recognized for pioneering approaches to online services and content delivery in the early stages of the internet era.
Through his work in various capacities, Alex has established himself as a thought leader in the fields of product strategy, management, and innovation, making a lasting impact on the digital scholarship community and academia as a whole.
