Kirk Botula
About Kirk Botula
Kirk Botula serves as the Chief Strategy Operations Officer at Innovation Works, where he has a history of driving significant market strategies and product developments. He has held various leadership roles, including founding the CMMI Institute and achieving a 70% market share at Confluence.
Current Role at Innovation Works
Kirk Botula serves as the Chief Strategy Operations Officer at Innovation Works since 2023. In this role, he focuses on strategic initiatives that drive the organization's mission to support technology-based economic development in the Pittsburgh region. His leadership aims to enhance operational efficiency and foster innovation within the organization.
Previous Experience at Confluence
Kirk Botula has held multiple positions at Confluence, including Chief Operating Officer from 2001 to 2010, President from 2010 to 2012, and various roles in marketing and product development. During his tenure, he achieved a 70% market share in North America and led the company to a successful exit to Polaris Ventures. His contributions significantly expanded Confluence's global footprint.
Leadership at CMMI Institute
As the Founder and CEO of CMMI Institute from 2012 to 2019, Kirk Botula played a pivotal role in modernizing core platforms and launching product line extensions in Data Management and Cybersecurity. He also led the spin-out from Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute, which enhanced the institute's focus on process improvement and capability maturity.
Educational Background
Kirk Botula studied at Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned a Master of Science in Information Systems and Management (M.S.I.A.) from the Tepper School of Business between 1985 and 1987. He also completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at Carnegie Mellon University from 1981 to 1985, providing him with a strong foundation in both technical and creative disciplines.
Career Progression and Roles
Kirk Botula has held various leadership roles throughout his career, including CEO and Managing Partner at Total Bank Solutions, LLC from 2021 to 2022, and Managing Director at Carnegie Innovations from 2012 to 2015. His early career included positions at BNY Mellon and Compunetics, where he contributed to product management and process control. His diverse experiences have shaped his strategic approach to operations and business development.