Karthik Krishnan: Global CEO & NYU Professor passionate about lifelong learning, transformative leadership and societal impact

Karthik is currently the Global CEO of Britannica Group (Britannica, Merriam-Webster, Britannica Knowledge Systems, and Melingo) focusing on elevating trustable information in the digital universe and transforming learning inside and outside the classroom. He is also an Adjunct Professor (since 2012) at New York University Stern School of Business, where he teaches students about the media industry and how disruptive forces (digitization, consumer-generated content) are reshaping the industry (new business models, M&A).

He is currently on the board of Urban Upbound (UU), a nonprofit focused on transforming the lives of people in public housing in New York City through job training, financial fitness, and college access. Karthik is a National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) governance fellow.

Karthik has been invited to World Economic Forum Expert Network and is recognized as an expert on Future of Information and Entertainment, Education and Skills, and Future of Health and Healthcare. He is also recognized as a Top 100 global influencer in Education technology by EdTech Digest.

Prior to joining Britannica, Karthik spent over a decade at RELX (formerly known as Reed Elsevier; a FTSE 100 company) in various business leadership roles, driving business and cultural transformations and accelerating growth. In his last role, as Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Global Clinical Solutions business, he launched products that won coveted industry recognition, including Best in KLAS and Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation awards. He was involved with the William J. Clinton Foundation and was recognized by former President Clinton for his leadership in launching the Urban Enterprise Initiative. He has been involved in a number of transformative initiatives including Doubling India’s agricultural production, Transforming Harlem (New York City) into a vibrant business community and tourist destination, and Establishing New York University (Stern Business School) as the pioneer and top destination for Entertainment, Media and Technology specialization.

Karthik has an MBA from New York University Stern School of Business. He received the distinction Stern Scholar and was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. He has a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Coimbatore Institute of Technology and won the Student of the Year and Best Outgoing Student awards. He also earned a certificate in Design Thinking (Human Centered Design) from Stanford University.

He is an avid skier, tennis player and golfer. He is also a certified Scuba diver and ice rescuer.

Karthik strives to live up to a guiding mantra – “Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence.”