As Director of Academic Initiatives at Microsoft Corp., Joe Wilson focuses broadly on students and educators to ensure they have the opportunity to teach and learn Microsoft’s products, platforms and technologies and is directly responsible for most of the programs targeted to Universities globally. His team manages both global programs as well as a field of representatives that focus on sharing Microsoft’s tool and technologies around the globe.  

Most recently, Joe worked as Vice President of Anark Corporation where he managed the international marketing, distribution, partnerships and sales efforts of an innovative real time 3D technology platform focusing on designers and developers in the entertainment, gaming, and advertising industries.

Previously, Joe served as Senior Director of Tactical Marketing Ventures, a boutique-marketing firm that focused on launching technology products for Fortune 500 and venture backed companies into competitive markets.

Wilson traces his roots back to beginning his career as a entrepreneur while still attending university.  This success inspired him to build a career expertise on developing and growing early stage companies and creative outreach programs for dynamic markets.  He has built a solid career on entrepreneurship, innovation and risk taking in both the service and technology industries.

Wilson has a MBA in marketing and management from Webster University in St. Louis, MO and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Memphis, Memphis, TN.