Vlada Bortnik (She/Her)
About Vlada Bortnik (She/Her)
Vlada Bortnik is the CEO and co-founder of Marco Polo, where she focuses on enhancing community well-being through technology. With a background in software engineering and program management at companies like Microsoft and Sprint, she advocates for digital well-being and integrates mindfulness into her leadership style.
Current Role at Marco Polo
Vlada Bortnik serves as the CEO and co-founder of Marco Polo, a position she has held since 2018. Under her leadership, the company focuses on developing products that enhance community well-being and foster closer connections among users. Bortnik's vision integrates mindfulness and meditation into the company's culture, promoting a balanced approach to digital communication. Her role involves strategic decision-making and overseeing the overall direction of the company.
Previous Experience at Microsoft
Bortnik has extensive experience at Microsoft, where she worked in various capacities from 2000 to 2008. She began as a Program Manager Intern in the Office division for three months in 2000. She then progressed to a full-time role as a Program Manager in Office from 2001 to 2004, followed by a position as a Senior Program Manager for Windows Live from 2004 to 2006. Additionally, she briefly served as a Senior Program Manager for Hotmail in 2008. This diverse experience contributed to her expertise in product management and software development.
Education and Training
Bortnik holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering and Art from Northwestern University, which she completed from 1997 to 2001. She furthered her education with non-credit coursework at Stanford University Graduate School of Business, focusing on evaluating entrepreneurial opportunities and marketing research from 2006 to 2008. Additionally, she participated in the Leaders in Tech program, achieving the status of Leaders in Tech Fellow from 2018 to 2019.
Early Career and Founding AdNectar
Before her tenure at Marco Polo, Bortnik co-founded AdNectar, where she served as Vice President of Media Products from 2008 to 2011. This role allowed her to gain valuable experience in product development and media strategy. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Software Engineer Intern at Sprint from 1998 to 2001, which provided her with foundational skills in software engineering.
Advocacy for Digital Well-Being
Bortnik is an advocate for digital well-being, emphasizing the importance of user privacy and data protection. At Marco Polo, she ensures that the company does not sell user data to advertisers, aligning with her commitment to creating a safe and supportive digital environment. Her advocacy reflects her broader mission to enhance community well-being through technology.