Ray Henderson

“Ray and I have worked closely for over a decade as client(Ray)-vendor(me), acquirer(me)-target(Ray), and as co-workers. Ray is the best. Hire him if you're lucky enough to get him. Full stop.”

“I feel privileged to have been a part of Ray Henderson’s team at both ANGEL Learning and Blackboard. Ray is a uniquely capable leader, coach, and mentor. He is an astute observer of teams and people, generous with his insight and his ability to craft truly constructive criticism that inspires personal growth. Ray’s counsel and support have been key assets in my personal and professional development, and I stand in good company with so many others as beneficiaries of his outstanding leadership.”

“Ray's got a rare combo of professional long suits that made him a great leader to work for and colleague to work with, not to mention a big difference maker for clients and industry partners. On the one hand he's a committed believer in the importance of fundamentals, operational excellence and moving the needle in a very transparent way. On the other he's got a fine ear for market narrative, customer pain and communicating credibly to even the most wary audience...internally or externally. This blend of hard and soft skills, plus a keen eye for what's coming results in outsized capability in an approachable and eminently credible package. A good recipe indeed for tackling really hard problems and lifting folks up in doing so.”

“I have been fortunate to work with Ray on several occasions. First, Ray was a founding Board member at Safari Books Online. I was hired as CEO by Ray and the Safari Board to start the business. I found Ray to be a very visionary leader. He has a solid, 360-degree view of the publishing and EdTech landscape. He has particularly keen insight when it comes to products and a heuristic-based approach to how people interact with computer applications. In addition to our shared period at Safari Books Online, I continued to work with Ray on partnership opportunities between my current company, CourseSmart and Blackboard Learn. Ray was extremely helpful in constructing a win-win partnership between our two companies. Besides being a visionary leader, Ray is a quality individual. This makes for a great combination!”

“Ray is that rare combination of an executive who can lead a team on back-to-the-basics execution while being an industry luminary and thought leader. He has earned the respect of colleagues, customers and competitors alike, for his leadership and the trust he engenders. The industry has undoubtedly been made stronger by his many contributions.”

“Ray is a true visionary in Education Technology, and there are few who compare when it comes to understanding the nuances and peculiarities of the broader Education market. I've had the pleasure of working with him both as a member of Blackboard's Management Team and its Board of Directors. Ray's vast experience, excellent judgment and strategic insights will continue to serve the company (and broader Education industry) well. The combination of Ray's affable personality and his genuine interest in people have created an immense likability that is incredibly unique for someone of his stature. I cannot provide a more emphatic recommendation of my colleague and friend, who has been able to complement his passion for Education with the pragmatic mind of an investor and businessman.”

“Ray is the epitome of a visionary business leader. He makes seemingly insurmountable business problems achievable through a balance of vision, action and inspiration. I had the privilege of being a part of Blackboard's flagship business unit during the period in which Ray took over the helm and transformed both the way we operate as well as how we partner with the education institutions we serve. Ray rallied hundreds of employees and thousands of clients around a shared vision by cultivating a culture of respect, openness and trust through his "annual report card" approach. We always knew how far we'd come and how much further we needed to go to become the organization that he envisioned. A beloved leader, mentor and friend - to both clients and employees alike - I often describe Ray as "the professor whose class everyone wants to get an A in." The impact of his leadership and vision on Blackboard's business and client community will undoubtedly persist for years to come.”

“For 20+ years, Ray has had a consistent and profound impact driving innovation in higher education. The ideas that he has championed, and importantly executed, have consistently changed both the student experience and the business of higher education in substantial ways. Ray's work at Blackboard is an excellent example of his leadership capabilities. His influence there on both the company's strategy and its market perception were immediate and helped position the company for a broader market opportunity. I would recommend working with Ray in any capacity. He has a great track record of success that I expect that to continue to the benefit of all in our industry.”

“The impact Ray has had on the company when he joined as part of the Angel acquisition is unquestioned. He focused the company on fundamentals, improving product quality, openness and customer service, when the company needed it most. He is an academic visionary who understands and anticipates education market trends. He would be a tremendous asset to any business focused on the education market.”

“Ray's a game changer. Ray quickly changed the culture of entire company to one that matched the ethos of our educational client base. He re-energized and refocused the company on teaching and learning and he and dramatically improved the company's fundamentals by improving client support, market transparency, openness, and innovation. You want to grow your business and feel good about the way you're doing it? Get Ray to help.”

“When I first met Ray Henderson, what was most noticeable was his bright, genuine, magnanimous smile and the positive energy flourishing around him. This reflects the excitement with which he approaches his work and his inclusive spirit towards those he works with. Ray has a dedicated, significant following amongst staff and the community at large. It’s easy to understand why. He is the penultimate professional and gentleman. His character is dignified, thoughtful and considerate. As a leader, Ray commands any size room elegantly, whether it’s an audience of thousands who hold him accountable for product standards and advancement, or a smaller team of staff and partners of whom he expects the highest levels of quality and innovation. Because he treats people well, people trust Ray and want to deliver the best results under his leadership. Ray is expert in technology and attuned to client needs. Ray underscores product fundamentals and champions innovative ideas and good design. He requires quality for clients. And, he encourages employees and holds them responsible for adapting to rapid industry developments. Ray’s governance, intelligence, sense of humor and drive are the perfect ingredients that spark product excellence, innovation and engender a committed following amongst employees, clients and fellow technology experts. Ray is a perfect fit anywhere. I would happily attest to and endorse Ray’s leadership and professional character to anyone.”

“Ray made his name by being a creative visionary. He really understands both the power of educational technology and what's required to make it accessible and usable by the market. When he presents something he's been doing, it's like a Steve Jobs keynote. He has extraordinary breadth of experience and contact in the industry. I never worked in his group, but I sure wanted to.”

“Ray was an excellent manager, a valued mentor, and remains a good friend. He was able to step in to the dynamic, and sometimes hectic, environment of a "dot com" startup and impelement a sense of sanity and direction that were ultimately reflected in a much better product. Ray has also been a wonderful sounding board to me personally as I plotted the course of my career. It would be a pleasure to work with him again.”