WebStudy Foundation

WebStudy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to fostering meaningful change through collaborative decision-making. Founder Gisele Larose states, "I wanted to create a legacy of a world empowered by learning." She collaborated with Kevin Kelly and Lenny Lind during the pandemic to adapt the methods from "Virtuous Meetings: Technology + Design for High Engagement in Large Groups" for higher education. This approach has benefited large NGOs for 25 years. Larose's experience spans healthcare, where she managed large-scale change, and workforce development for a national rehabilitation provider. Her venture into educational technology began with an investment in a little-known LMS, WebStudy, in 1995, which replaced telecourses and correspondence courses with online learning. Over two decades, Larose witnessed the differences in resource allocation and processes between corporate and academic settings. Both sectors educate a large number of adult learners, but while academic learning is time-bound and curriculum-bound, professional development is continuous. Digital transformation has pressured both sectors to reach more learners and demonstrate outcomes. WebStudy Foundation aims to foster collaboration between educational providers and employers to enhance lifelong learning. The goal is for institutions to adapt to significant changes effectively and for corporations to upskill workers amidst unprecedented uncertainty. By 2030, the foundation seeks to fund systemic change through philanthropy. Larose highlights humanity's ability to meet global challenges, evidenced by the rapid shift to remote learning during the pandemic. Collaborative decision-making, where every voice is heard, and real-time feedback is integrated through networked technology. This method ensures inclusive problem-solving and faster, more effective alignment compared to traditional meetings. Stakeholders from various sectors engage in virtual gatherings, leading to mutual alignment.