Michael Hansen

Michael E. Hansen is a battle-tested, highly experienced CEO, focused on delivering results in challenging business transformations. Since 2012, he has led Cengage Group, a global education technology company and guided the century-old education publisher through a successful Chapter 11 reorganization that helped pave the way for the company’s transformation from a struggling higher ed print publisher, to now, a portfolio edtech company operating in attractive markets and delivering consistent mid-single-digit revenue and profitability growth. The company is now 74% digital, focused on providing ‘Education for Employment’ and helping individuals improve their lives through achieving tangible education outcomes. He was named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business in 2020 for his leadership in tackling the affordability crisis in higher education with the launch of Cengage Unlimited, the first-ever all-access digital subscription service for higher ed course materials. Prior to joining Cengage Group, Michael served as CEO of the Health Science Business at Reed Elsevier (now RELX) and Harcourt. Earlier in his career, Michael led the portfolio transformation at Bertelsmann and prior to that served as a partner at Boston Consulting Group. He currently sits on the Board of TalkSpace and ProPublica. Michael holds a Master of Law degree from the University of Bonn in Germany and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University in New York.