chairman and CEO

Michael W. Allen, the chairman and CEO of Allen Interactions, is a treasured architect of interactive multimedia learning and is recognized for his many insights, inventions and presentations. With over 40 years of experience in e-learning both in academic and corporate settings, he is known today for his role in creating Authorware, and overseeing the work of his studios at Allen Interactions. Michael Allen has published seven books, including a best-seller on creating effective e-learning, a series on designing meaningful, memorable, motivational learning experiences and three annuals on the state of the art in e-learning.

Allen is once again determined to conquer the perplexing idiosyncrasies and complexities of interactive media so that all people can share their knowledge, experience, and insights through it. Just recently coming to market, ZebraZapps (Zebra), a revolutionary cloud-based authoring and publishing platform, allows anyone to create and deploy unique and compelling e-learning and interactive multimedia easily, and in a way that nothing else can.

In May 2011, Allen received ASTD’s Distinguished Contribution to Workplace Learning and Performance Award. In 2012, he was selected by The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) Advisory Committee as a recipient of the 2012 Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his outstanding accomplishments, representing spirit, hard work and values of our ancestors — those who took the “American dream” from just a hope, and made it a reality. Allen holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology from The Ohio State University and is an adjunct associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School.