Ep. 77 - Stephen Laster: From Harvard to Panopto - Scaling EdTech That Matters

Stephen Laster is the CEO of Panopto and a veteran leader in digital education whose career spans Harvard Business School, McGraw-Hill, D2L, and Ellucian.

Stephen shares how his own experience as a dyslexic learner—and an early adopter of the Apple II—shaped his lifelong mission to use technology to make learning more accessible and human. He unpacks what it truly means to be a “human-centered AI-first” platform, how Panopto is using AI to extend—not replace—the learning community, and why interoperability and focus are more critical than ever in edtech. From navigating institutional change to fostering a culture of smart risk-taking, Stephen offers a candid look at the patterns, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of teaching and corporate training.

Whether you’re leading digital transformation, building learning tools, or thinking about how to scale knowledge in a rapidly changing world, this conversation is packed with wisdom from the front lines.

Key Takeaways

1. Technology as an Accessibility Lifeline – Stephen’s dyslexia led him to an Apple II in 1981, where he built his own spell checker and word processor. This personal experience cemented his belief that technology should empower learners by removing barriers, not creating them.
2. Human-Centered AI Expands Community, Not Replaces It – Panopto’s AI strategy focuses on automating time-consuming tasks (summarization, translation, generating knowledge checks) to give time back to instructors and learners—strengthening human connection rather than substituting it.
3. Interoperability Is Non-Negotiable – Seamless LMS integration and open ecosystems are essential for adoption. Panopto’s success is rooted in making technology “fade into the background” so teaching and learning can take center stage.
4. Institutional Knowledge Must Be Findable & Reusable – Beyond capturing lectures, Panopto is evolving into a knowledge hub that serves alumni, prospects, and partners—turning video libraries into searchable, AI-enhanced assets that support lifelong learning.
5. Teaching Experience Makes You a Better EdTech Leader – Stephen credits his seven years teaching at Babson as foundational to understanding the realities of the classroom. His advice: “If you're really going to be passionate about anything you're making technology for, go do the job.”
6. Innovation Requires Smart Risk-Taking & Space to Fail – Successful digital transformation hinges on creating conditions where “smart failures” are rewarded. Institutions and companies need to embrace deliberate experimentation and learn from iterative pilots.
7. Focus on North Stars, Not Just Features – Panopto operates under three durable guideposts: lead in visual/auditory learning, be the most customer-centric edtech provider, and be a destination for top talent. Clarity of mission enables agility without losing direction.
8. The Biggest Gap Isn’t Technology—It’s Time – Faculty and instructional designers need dedicated time and support to innovate. The industry must prioritize professional development and create breathing room for pedagogical experimentation.
9. Jobs Are Changing Faster Than Ever – In both higher ed and corporate learning, the imperative is to reskill and upskill continuously. Platforms that enable just-in-time, accessible learning are critical to retention and growth.
10. Stay Calm, Stay Focused, Stay Open – Stephen’s background as a merchant mariner taught him to problem-solve calmly under pressure—a mindset that translates directly to leading through edtech’s relentless waves of change.

 

Find Stephen Laster:

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Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Creating the conditions for disruptive learning
• (00:00:32) - Steve Laster
• (00:01:40) - Leading the Digital Transformation of Education
• (00:05:17) - CIO Network: Learning From HBS and Babson
• (00:06:44) - What is panopto? What role does it play inside the
• (00:08:00) - Panopto: A Human-Centered AI First Platform
• (00:10:11) - How Panopto is helping institutions scale knowledge sharing in 2026
• (00:12:07) - Top EdTech Executives: The Current Wave
• (00:17:31) - What is the role of people in higher education?
• (00:19:01) - Panopto's Mission-
• (00:22:59) - on Becoming a Tech Leader