Will lead customer-centered product innovation, embracing the possibilities that technology offers to drive student success

Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned digital learning company, today announced Tim Flem has been promoted to the role of Chief Product Officer (CPO). In this role, he will oversee the development and management of Macmillan Learning’s digital products, leading the product development lifecycle from ideation and research to launch and iteration. He will also focus on cultivating strategic partnerships within the education and technology ecosystems, seeking new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

“Since joining Macmillan Learning eight years ago, Tim has been a steadfast advocate for discovery, fully embracing the idea that continuous inquiry is essential for innovation at a learning company. His promotion reflects our commitment to leadership excellence, underscoring our belief in curiosity, learning, and continuous inquiry as a fundamental driver of innovation and progress,” said Susan Winslow, CEO of Macmillan Learning.

As CPO, Flem will lead the Product, User Experience, AI/Data Science, and Learning Science and Research teams, guiding the development of products and tools that meet customer needs. His promotion comes at a time of tremendous change within the education industry, and will help guarantee that Macmillan Learning’s products and technologies adapt to the evolving needs of institutions, educators, and students. Importantly, he will help ensure that they help inspire what’s possible for every learner, no matter their background or abilities.

During his tenure at Macmillan Learning, Flem has been an advocate for customer-centered digital innovation that delivers superior outcomes. He led the development and successful launch of the company’s digital learning platform, Achieve, which was designed using the foundations of learning science and in partnership with students and instructors. The courseware has gained recognition for its foundation in rigorous teaching and learning practice; ongoing research about efficacy, metacognition and sense of belonging has since led to iterations that add further depth to the technology’s support of each student's success. Flem also helped establish Macmillan Learning’s partnership with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to study how a courseware platform like Achieve can help to close equity gaps in course completion for historically and presently underserved students.

Flem quickly responded to recent AI-fueled tech advancements, setting the stage for the company’s fundamental shift in product development. He and his teams focused on ethical standards for AI use, while rapidly shifting to developing, testing, and launching AI-supported learning tools. This led to the launch of an AI Tutor in Achieve for STEM disciplines, with early results indicating that AI-enhanced personalized tutoring positively impacts student engagement and progress, especially at times when they need help with assignments. His team also launched AI question generation in the iClicker platform. Flem joined leaders from Macmillan Learning’s parent company, Holtzbrinck, to expand access and capabilities to AI technology and innovation.

Filmon Zerai, COO at Holtzbrinck noted, “Above and beyond Tim's role in driving innovation within Macmillan Learning, he has been instrumental in shaping our overall AI agenda at Holtzbrinck. His contributions within the HPG AI Acceleration Group have been extremely valuable, and we all look forward to his continued success.”

“Our deep research into the wide range of opportunities and challenges that learners bring to our products fuels our passion for delivering learning experiences that resonate. We understand how important it is to recognize each learner's unique preferences and lived experiences, while at the same time equipping faculty with the right tools to step in with timely interventions when needed. Doing this, and doing it well, is the most fulfilling thing I’ve accomplished in my career,” Flem said.

Read Flem’s take on the intersection of AI and product development here.

About Macmillan Learning

Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that inspires what’s possible for every learner. We envision a world in which every learner succeeds. Through our content, tools and services, we aim to make that a reality. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Community.

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