After many years as CEO at Pressbooks, I’m stepping into a new role as Executive Chairman. This will mean I have much less day-to-day responsibility, but I will continue to work closely with the leadership team on strategic direction and decision-making for the company. My long-time partner in making Pressbooks what it is today, and COO since 2019, Başak Büyükçelen is taking over as CEO. (Her name is pronounced Ba-shak!).
I’m stepping down to make more time and focus for a new venture, using AI to help design better assignments and learning experiences (reach out if you are curious!). This shift also offers a great opportunity to bring some fresh direction to Pressbooks.
Başak has been instrumental in turning Pressbooks into a well-functioning company. We have happy clients, a sustainable business model, and a happy team, largely due to Başak’s efforts and stewardship. Başak was the clear choice to take over day-to-day management and leadership as CEO. Please feel free to reach out to Başak (LinkedIn|email) to welcome her to this new position.
In my new role as Executive Chairman, I will remain involved in setting strategic direction for Pressbooks, working with Başak and the leadership team. We don’t expect any major changes for our existing clients, though we hope to continue improving Pressbooks and growing its impact within and beyond the open education community.
Başak will work alongside a great leadership team: Julie Curtis (VP Strategy and Growth) and Christopher Murtagh (VP Technology), both of whom bring years of experience, wisdom and dedication in their respective areas of expertise.
I am incredibly proud of the value Pressbooks has created in the world, and in particular our impact supporting open educational publishing in higher education. Over the years, this work has been accomplished by a dedicated and passionate team, together with a phenomenal community of institutional partners and faculty creators. I’m happy to have had the chance to work with so many great people. I will continue to be active in the education space, and I expect to be at conferences and events, and of course online. Please reach out (Linkedin|email), I’d love to catch up.
Sincerely,
Hugh McGuire
Featured image photo by Christopher Murtagh