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Executive Team
Meet the members of Atana's Executive Leadership Team
Executive Team
Jeff Carr, Chief Executive Officer
A three-time past CEO with extensive executive leadership and go-to-market experience in previous C-level roles, Jeff is responsible for Atana’s growth and innovation initiatives, while providing strategic insight and guidance to its customers, partners, analysts, and investors. His prior leadership roles include EVP at PeopleSoft, president of Saba Software, CEO of PeopleFluent, COO of Zenefits, CEO of Inkling, and VP, Global Enterprise Sales at Docebo..
Jeff is recognized by industry analysts as one of the HR technology industry’s leading voices and has been consistently lauded for his commitment to redefining the future of work and advancing the customer, learner, and employee experience. He is known for demonstrating a laser-like focus on driving growth and helping to build great brands at the intersection of people, data, and technology, specializing in learning, talent development, talent acquisition, HCM and B2B enterprise software.
When not at work, Jeff is a trail and marathon runner, a weekend athlete, and an outdoor enthusiast who loves pursuing adventures with his wife and family. Jeff splits time between Dallas and Southern California. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Miami University (OH), and is still hoping to complete the last few courses of his MBA at Xavier University's Williams College of Business.
Amanda Hagman, PhD., Chief Scientist: Behavioral Data Science
Dr. Hagman leads the behavior intervention science at the core of the Atana philosophy. Her work ensures that client organizations receive dependable, high quality, and actionable data insights as they seek to train and upskill their employees.
With an M.S. in Human Development and a Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology, Dr. Hagman is a seasoned expert in applied analytics in the context of real-world human behavior. She specializes in crafting tailored strategies for lasting behavioral transformations.
Over 15 years, Dr. Hagman's work in intervention and evaluative science has been pivotal for individuals and organizations. In addition to her key role at Atana, she is a lecturer in the Department of Analytics and Information Systems in the Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University.
Michael D. McNally, Chief Financial Officer
A corporate finance veteran with more than 20 years of experience, Mike began his career in the legendary back office of global multi-strategy fund Stark Investments, working his way up and down $1.4 billion in private equity deals over the course of 10 years. The portfolio contained assets ranging from major motion picture bundles to natural gas power generation. Since 2015, Mike has worked with private venture and PE-backed companies in industries as diverse as cardiac medical devices, candy manufacturing, cash deposit management, online direct-to-consumer wine clubs, plastic thermal injection manufacturing, and women's industrial footwear.
Mike is passionate about his role as a fiduciary and is responsible for financial performance transparency, strategic business insights, and enhancing cash flow. He has been the point-person on dozens of audits over the years from the "Big" accounting firms, the SEC, and IRS.
Mike earned his CPA in 2006 and holds an M.S. in Accounting from Lubar College of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as well as a B.A. in History and Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin.
David Hansen, Chief Technology Officer
David manages all technology for Atana, specializing in the ongoing development of the company’s learning content delivery platform as well as incorporating data analytics into the learning cycle. He brings a wide range of expertise in the architecture, design, and development of software systems with an extensive background in protocols and networking.
David’s broad experience includes working on many complex systems such as satellite tracking software for the DoD Space Command, aircraft ground proximity warning systems that are outfitted in many of today’s modern airplanes, systems for billing collection and provisioning in wireless cellular networks, and building internet routers that connect corporate and regional offices. He also held broad development responsibilities at F5 Networks and was a core contributing member to their flagship BIG-IP product.
David received a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Washington. He is a PSIA Level 3 Alpine Instructor, a USSA Level 100 Alpine Ski Coach and a PADI Certified Rescue Diver.
Michele Chiarella, Director of Learning
Michele leads Learning Development, overseeing a team that develops engaging video-based eLearning that imparts knowledge and teaches skills while assessing desired workplace behaviors. Working closely with our Behavioral Data Science group, she and her team create courses that combine highly-relatable vicarious learning experiences with built-in behavioral assessments to ensure the training drives business outcomes.
Michele’s L&D career spans 25+ years with experience in both the corporate and non-profit environments, including overseeing Domestic training for Blockbuster Entertainment and managing the training department for a state Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Michele received a B.A. in English and Journalism from the State University of New York at Cortland.
John Hansen, Executive Chairman
Passionate about helping organizations create workplaces where employees are engaged, respectful, and committed to company success, John Hansen is chairman of Atana, a company that is redefining workplace culture and training. In this role, John provides strategic insight and guidance to Atana's CEO, executive team, investors and other stakeholders.
John is an eight-time CEO with 30+ years of experience developing world-class organizations that disrupt industries. These include GoAhead Software and Vallent, which were acquired by Oracle and IBM, respectively.
John received his B.S. in Computer Science from Brigham Young University and his MBA from the University of Washington. He is a lecturer at UW’s Foster School of Business, teaching Strategy and Entrepreneurship. He previously served as Colorado Institute of Technology's president and Secretary of Technology.
Tom Matthews, Vice President of Sales
Tom is responsible for Media Partners’ multiple sales channels. He brings 15+ years’ experience building successful sales organizations with skills in customer relationship management, sales automation, negotiating, and pipeline management.
Tom has worked in sales operations, account management, and sales leadership at IBM, Oracle, VoloMetrix, GoAhead Software and Imprev.
He received a BA from Utah Valley University in Behavioral Science/Spanish, and he is the founder of the annual Issaquah Turkey Trot which raises money for the local food and clothing bank.
Careers
If you want to make a positive impact on today’s workplaces, you’ve come to the right place. We’re all about improving the world of work, through better and more effective people skills training. And we practice what we teach: we offer a great culture where employees feel respected, engaged, and supported. Small company values, big company technology tools, and a culture that our employees say is just right.