Steve Zales Email & Phone Number

Provide broad-based strategic, operating, and digital consulting and advisory services, and interim management to established and early-stage companies and non-profits in Education, Human Capital and Information Services sectors. Focused on building purpose, accelerating revenue growth and funding, improving operations, creating business transformation, and improving valuation and outcomes.• Mentoring early-stage EdTech companies including through the StartEd Accelerator• Developing investment thesis for Private Equity related to the intersection between Education and the workplace• Providing assessment and information services associated with M&A opportunities• Advising early-stage non-profits on growth and expansion strategies

Connecticut , Us

Leading strategy and operations for this leadership and workforce development organization, working with Founder/CEO to identify growth opportunities, develop future strategy and enhance operational capacity.

Annapolis, Maryland, Us

Provider of performance and well-being coaching at scale to university students, and early-to-mid career employees and managers across functions through technology and certified coaches.

Santa Monica, Ca, Us

Provide strategic advisory work for this early-stage education business delivering vocational and post-secondary educational programs enhanced with sports content.

Providing strategic advisory and business development services to this online community that taps into the vitality, creativity and curiosity of women 60 and better to keep them at their best

Southport, Ct, Us

Led this recreational boating telematics business as Interim CEO. - Generated high double-digit revenue growth in 2021 and 2022 YTD - Strengthened operations and controlled spend in preparation for capital raise - Deployed software to improve marketing and sales - Secured additional bridge financing from existing and new investors to support business growth - Provided strategic direction, overall leadership and team management - Strengthened bonds with investors

Plain City, Ohio, Us

Led the transformation of this $40MM book distribution and media company into a $60MM K12-focused educational services business through the strengthening of the subscription box division and the acquisition of a complementary classroom supplemental content company. - Restructured sales, account management and customer service operation of the Junior Library Guild division, to re-grow subscription bookings to a 6% YOY level in 2019. - Acquired AKJ Education and oversaw 100% YOY revenue growth in 2019. - Re-launched company’s digital presence into an eCommerce sales and subscription platform in 2018, resulting in 40% YOY usage growth and nearly $2MM in revenue. - Re-shaped organization, reducing costs in Corporate and Media divisions to improve profitability.

Provided broad-based strategic, operating, and digital consulting services, and interim management to established and early-stage companies in consumer content/services, and B2B services sectors. Focused on accelerating revenue growth, improving operations, creating business transformation, and improving valuation.• Built transformative strategic, operating and new business plans, defining value proposition, and developing go-to-market plans, to accelerate revenue growth and profitability for design and development firm.• Provided strategic, marketing and business development services to successfully launch, and grow health and wellness and sports content start-up companies.

Recruited to join turnaround leadership team to transform marketing, technology and digital presence for this $600 Million global talent solutions provider. Led staff of 85 with six direct reports in marketing, technology, digital and communications.• Expanded and enhanced digital marketing and CRM, leveraging proprietary tools, social media, upgraded technology applications and global marketing initiatives, to reposition the brand with target customers and grow new business leads and associated gross margin by over 25% annually. • Reduced marketing and IT expenses by over 20% through rationalizing technology platforms, and aggressive emphasis on program effectiveness and operational improvements.

Provided digital strategic advisory and interim management services to established and early stage companies in consumer media, services and products sectors. Areas of focus included revenue and profit acceleration, executive management, strategic marketing, business development, sales strategy and implementation, and product strategy and evolution.• Managed the launch of a new digital lifestyle content business with an emphasis on revenue generation, marketing, business development and product strategy. • As interim President of digital division of a mid-size information services company, led the development and expansion of a new daily deals business. Developed new business strategy, expanded organization, drove customer acquisition, and created long term financial model.

New York, Ny, Us

Following earlier leadership roles at the company, recruited to return to Time Inc. to grow sales and profit by expanding and strengthening the digital presence of its key Lifestyle division properties. First appointed to lead the Southern Progress digital properties, develop business and product strategy, and drive sales and profit growth for the division. Promoted to President, Time Inc. Lifestyle Digital after 15 months to manage, restructure, and profitably grow expanded portfolio of twelve websites and two mobile properties in the food, home, health and travel categories. Led staff of 70 with 10 direct reports in content, product development, audience development, marketing, sales, finance and business development. • Grew 2009 annual revenues by 65% and profits by 170% despite a deep economic recession. Achieved #3 category position. • Developed and implemented portfolio strategy by building a professionally tested recipes website, and effectively developing, marketing, and selling the portfolio including MyRecipes, Health, ThisOldHouse, RealSimple, CookingLight, SouthernLiving and Sunset. • Relaunched RealSimple.com, boosting revenues and profits, and launched AllYou.com as a leading value living site.

Reported to Board of Directors. Hired to develop strategy, operational plan and commercial organization for launch of this data-structuring, semantic search technology. Expanded staff to 65 with four direct reports in content, technology, sales / business development, marketing and finance.• Rebuilt financial model to ensure sufficient funding in Series B round.• Convinced Board to shift business model from consumer focus to B2B technology services provider to media/financial services sectors, in order to create stronger long-term business opportunity. • Revamped organization, led product shift, and drove business development efforts leading to successful customer acquisition by year-end 2006.

New York, New York, Us

Recruited by founder/CEO to transform this early stage, venture-backed retail-driven loyalty marketer to a digitally-driven business with multiple revenue streams. Led staff of seven with four direct reports in business development, content, analytics and member acquisition.• Led development of sponsorship and ad-supported content, e-commerce and local services helping the company increase revenue by 25% and improve bottom line to breakeven within one year. • Grew partnership revenue by 80% in 2005. Established new partnerships with H&R Block, Best Western, SnapFish, Netflix, Hearst, Working Woman and others. Enhanced e-commerce platform and capabilities, driving 200% e-commerce revenue growth in 2005.

Provided independent consulting and advisory services to early-stage companies in the areas of strategy, business growth, management, marketing and business development. Conducted marketplace and competitive analyses, developed strategies and business plans, and created growth initiatives for venture-backed and other small companies.

Chicago, Il, Us

Recruited to establish and lead an internet-based middle management recruitment offering to complement this leading global executive search firm’s core business. Led staff of 20 with six direct reports in editorial/content, business development, financial analysis, marketing, and sales. Named Principal by the parent firm in May 2001, among fastest to Principal status in firm’s history.• Grew U.S. revenues to represent a meaningful percentage of the firm’s total revenues, and client base to over 70 companies in first full year of operation in the most difficult market in industry history. Achieved profitability after only six months.• Acquired CruelWorld Inc., an Internet-based talent sourcing business, to jumpstart launch of Talent Network with a database of 100,000 middle managers, and integrated its operations.

Burbank, Ca, Us

Recruited to lead evolution and expansion of world’s largest digital sports business including ESPN.com, ABCSports.com and NFL, NBA, NASCAR league sites. Directed staff of 185, with 8 direct reports in editorial / product development, business development, legal, finance, marketing, and sales. Subsequently appointed to direct Disney’s involvement in SkillGames, a knowledge-driven, rewards-based Internet start-up consumer games business. SVP, Strategic Development, Walt Disney Internet Group (2000)SVP, General Manager, ESPN Internet Group (1998 - 2000)• Secured participation of multiple Disney divisions including ESPN, ABC Sports, and ABC Daytime, working with SkillGames management team to develop value proposition, plan and operations.• Significantly increased sustainable, incremental revenue for Disney’s ESPN Internet Group through growth of Fantasy Games, re-shaping of Insider subscription business, and launches of eXpn and ESPNStore.• Led acquisition of Soccernet to launch international business and negotiated strategic relationships with NHL, Times Mirror, NetZero and others.

New York, Ny, Us

Conceived, negotiated a joint venture, and secured approvals from both Time Inc. and CNN to lead the launch of a new comprehensive sports news and information web site. • Built and led a staff of 62, and within four months of plan approval, launched CNNSI.com, which became the second most visited sports site after four months, and a significant revenue generator in its first full year.

New York, Ny, Us

Responsible for leading the expansion and development of several business lines. Progressively promoted to increasing levels of responsibility for this global media, information and entertainment leader. Director of Development, Sports Illustrated (1991 – 1996) Director of Video Projects, Sports Illustrated (1990 – 1991)• Increased department profits at an annual rate of 35%. Co-created and launched SI Sports Festival, a major touring entertainment complex. Successfully negotiated Time Inc.’s worldwide ’92 and’96 Olympic and ’94 World Cup partnerships.Director, Non-Theatrical Programming, HBO Home Video (1998 – 1990)Marketing Manager, Sell-Thru Programming, HBO Home Video (1987 – 1988)

Blackfriars, London, Gb

Managed a number of Lever Brother brands including Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid, Surf Laundry Detergent and Dove Bar.

Mba, Marketing, International Business

Ba, Sociology, Economics