Get behind your team,
not in front of them.

Craig Powell

About Craig Powell

Craig Powell is a visionary technology executive that has spent over twenty years driving rapid growth companies and leading agile teams. He has both revived stagnant businesses and built companies from inception, developing world-class leadership teams while orchestrating several successful acquisitions.

Craig’s unique approach to leadership is based on a passion for building winning cultures and teams. Implementing a unique strategic combination of nurturing individual development and growth while fostering organizational alignment, he has helped teams achieve feats that seemed unattainable.

From a modest and often challenging upbringing, Craig’s natural grit and perseverance created the foundation for his leadership style.

He lives by his five leadership pillars and the tenant that “greatness is not some rare DNA strand. Everyone, every team, and therefore every company is capable of greatness. But you need to create it; it doesn’t just happen.”

5 pillars that Craig lives by...

Be Genuine. Show your team your whole self. Leaders can only build trust by being authentic.

5 pillars that Craig lives by...

Be Transparent. Share information widely and hold your team accountable to its confidentiality.

5 pillars that Craig lives by...

Create A Safe Space. Invite mistakes made full speed and ensure the team learns and grows from those failures.

5 pillars that Craig lives by...

Lead from Behind. Provide clarity of direction, then get out of the way. Get behind your team, not in front of them.

5 pillars that Craig lives by...

Team Over Self. We don’t want superheroes. True strength comes from being a part of something that is larger than any one individual.

Work, Philanthrophy and Passions

Motus, LLC

Motus is the definitive expert in anywhere workforce solutions. Its platform and proprietary software simplify the reimbursement and management of vehicle, device, work, and living costs through personalized calculations. Powered by an unmatched pool of data, refined over more than 80 years, and updated in real time, Motus is the platform of choice for top Fortune 500 companies and organizations committed to workplace agility. Motus automotive data, captured and analyzed across the world’s largest retained pool of drivers, also underpins the annual Internal Revenue Service (IRS) business mileage standard, the amount an individual can deduct for business vehicle expenses.

Craig joined Motus in 2013, transforming it from a legacy vehicle reimbursement solution into a true SaaS workforce management company through investments in technology, culture, and new markets.

Work, Philanthropy and Passions

Beat the Streets New England

Beat the Streets New England (BTSNE) utilizes the sport of wrestling to provide opportunities for our youth to discover their full potential by building relationships with themselves, their team, and their community. The organization is uniting wrestling and building a sustainable foundation for youth to grow all over New England – from Boston and Providence to Hartford, Worcester, Springfield, and beyond.

Craig is a founding member of the Beat the Streets Foundation and oversaw the historic merger of Beat the Streets Providence and Boston Youth Wrestling that formed BTSNE. After serving as a board member for several years, he is currently Chair of the Board.

Work, Philanthropy and Passions

Special Operators Transition Foundation

Special Operators Transition Foundation (formally Your Grateful Nation) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation dedicated to supporting special operations veterans and their families during and after their transition from the military to civilian life. It is funded through private and corporate gifts, contributions and grants. Services the organization provides may vary by case, but will include employment transition services, paid internships, cooperative education, and family stabilization support.

Craig joined the Special Operators Transition Foundation in 2015 and served as the Chairman of the Board from 2017 to 2020, helping to stabilize and scale this non-profit. He is currently in his last year on the Board as Chairperson Emeritus.

Work, Philanthropy and Passions

ConnectEDU

ConnectEDU is a technology company, founded and grounded in education, committed to informing students of the broadest range of choices as they transition from school to college to career. Its technology solutions help students find and prepare for college and career opportunities, achieve a secure financial future, and ultimately expand their economic prospects.

Craig founded ConnectEDU in 2002 out of a passion for ensuring that all students have access to the information and expertise needed to maximize their educational and professional potential. He served as its CEO until 2013, growing it into the world’s largest education network, with nearly 20 million registered learners, over 4,000 educational institutions, and 130,000 employers.

Work, Philanthropy and Passions

JVS

JVS was founded in 1938 during the Great Depression to assist Jewish immigrants and refugees struggling to enter the American workforce and support their families. Today, JVS is among the oldest and largest providers of adult education and workforce development services in Greater Boston, serving a diverse clientele representing over 90 nations, and speaking 50 languages, and helping people secure financial independence through educational and employment services.

Craig has served as Director for JVS Boston since 2017. Craig has applied concepts from his experience with founding and growing ConnectEDU into the world’s largest educational network to help JVS better serve its communities.

Work, Philanthropy and Passions

New Markets Venture Partners

New Markets is a leading impact venture capital firm that supports early- and growth-stage education and workforce technology companies. The New Markets team has decades of experience supporting evidence-based, high growth companies that improve economic and social mobility by leveraging deep relationships with centers of education and workforce innovation.

Craig has served as a Senior Advisor for New Markets since January 2022. Craig provides strategic growth, operational and business development advisory work for the fund’s educational and workforce technology portfolio companies.

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Articles by Craig

Sustaining Company Culture Is Crucial for the Long-Term Success of Your Business

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Articles by Craig

How Reinvesting In Virtual Experiences Strengthens Companies And Communities

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Articles by Craig

The Future Of The Workplace

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Speaking

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