Mark Ollila

Summary

Mark Ollila leads the Endless Games and Learning Lab, an Arizona State University Realm 5 initiative, represents a new era in education, merging cutting-edge technology, engaging game environments, and universally accessible high-intensity learning experiences. This initiative will advance ASU's pursuit of Realm 5, which seeks to create infinitely scalable learning – massively distributed, universally accessible, high-intensity and personalized learning solutions for all people. Mark Ollila cofounded Kast, the leading online destination for game and watch parties. With 20 years-experience across media, entertainment, and technology spaces, Mark is eager to disrupt the industry, shifting old models and integrating new technology to create better viewer experiences. His leadership values of fearless innovation combined with good citizenship to create net positive impact. Before co-founding the company in 2018, Mark established a twenty-year legacy of accomplishments as a senior executive and board member throughout the computer gaming, nanotechnology, internet, software, media technology industries. He played an integral role in the development and rollout of Nokia’s services and also its long-term technology roadmap and innovation portfolio for smart devices. Mark led Nokia’s first-party publishing business (games), video & photo sharing business, achieving a global reach in the hundreds of millions. He was also a core member of the deal team for Nokia’s and Microsoft’s strategic agreement in 2011. Additionally, Mark has held leadership positions with Evasyst, Verve, Imagine Intelligent Materials, Blind Squirrel Games, EvoNexus, Adverty, Pyze, Kadho, Kin Wellness. Frequently sought after for his expertise, he serves as an advisor to multiple companies in entertainment, games, and new technology, including past posts on the advisory board of the Game Developers Conference (Mobile) and as a board member of the EMEA Chapter of the Mobile Ecosystem Forum. Mark was Chairman of the Board of Physics Middleware provider Meqon Research AB (acquired by Ageia and now an integral part of the NVIDIA PhysX solution). He is a member of Southern California’s start-up incubator EvoNexus’s selection committee and an expert in residence at UC Irvine Applied Innovation. Mark has a PhD in Computer Science and MBA from London Business School.