Few people have had as big an impact on the constantly changing nature of labor and employment as Stephane Kasriel. With a forward-thinking outlook on the nature of work, Kasriel has revolutionized not only the way companies run but also how people view and interact with their jobs in the digital era.
Stephane Kasriel was raised in Tunisia after being born in France, and his academic endeavors laid the groundwork for his eventual rise to prominence in the computer sector. After graduating from École Centrale Paris with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, he continued his studies at Stanford University, where he obtained a Master of Science in Computer Science.
When Kasriel joined the Upwork team in 2008, then known as Elance-oDesk, his career took off on a trajectory. Thanks to his strategic vision and creative thinking, Kasriel quickly ascended through the ranks from his position as Senior Vice President of Product and Engineering at the company.
He was crucial in helping Upwork grow into the biggest online talent marketplace by expanding its platform, which links companies with independent contractors throughout the globe.
After taking over as CEO of Upwork in 2015, Kasriel led the company through a period of significant change in the global labor market. Significant reorganization of Upwork occurred under his direction, including a rebranding campaign that combined its two main platforms, oDesk and Elance, into one. Kasriel's emphasis on encouraging teamwork, creativity, and flexibility inside the company helped Upwork achieve unprecedented success.
Stephane Kasriel holding a glass of wine Kasriel's support of the gig economy, a labor market defined by freelance employment and short-term contracts, is among his most enduring contributions. He has been an outspoken supporter of this model's advantages for companies and employees alike, highlighting its adaptability, effectiveness, and accessibility to a global pool of talent. Regarding the future of employment, policy talks and public discourse have benefited from Kasriel's insights into the gig economy.
Outside of his position at Upwork, Kasriel is well-known for his contributions to workforce management, entrepreneurship, and technology thought leadership. At conferences and business gatherings, he is in high demand as a speaker because of his knowledge of subjects like remote work, the future of hiring, and the effects of automation on jobs. Businesses and individuals have greatly benefited from Kasriel's insights in navigating the intricacies of the contemporary workplace.
Kasriel was aware of the revolutionary possibilities of remote work long before the COVID-19 outbreak brought it to the forefront. He promoted remote work, claiming that it gives employers access to a larger pool of talent and empowers employees to strike a better work-life balance. Kasriel's vision was crucial when the pandemic compelled companies all over the world to adopt remote work methods, and Upwork became a preeminent platform for talent acquisition and remote collaboration.
Apart from his position at Upwork, Kasriel actively invests in and provides advice to other businesses in the technology and workforce domains. He uses his wealth of knowledge and industry insights to help up-and-coming business owners achieve their goals and get over obstacles. Positive progress is still being driven by Kasriel's ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit inside the tech industry.
Stephane Kasriel making a speech at the world economic forum Stephane Kasriel continues to be at the forefront of determining the direction that work will take as we move forward. He is still an advocate for a flexible, fair, and inclusive labor market that uses technology to open doors for people and companies everywhere. Kasriel's status as a visionary leader in the digital age is highlighted by his continuous dedication to promoting innovation and teamwork.
Stephane Kasriel prioritized corporate social responsibility and community involvement over Upwork's financial success. He was dedicated to utilizing Upwork's platform to promote positive social change because he understood the significant influence that technology might have on tackling social and economic concerns.
One of the main projects that Stephane Kasriel supported was Upwork's Social Impact Program, which attempted to link social entrepreneurs and organizations with qualified independent contractors who could contribute their knowledge to deserving causes. Through this program, Upwork helped organizations increase their impact and more successfully carry out their goals by facilitating pro bono projects in fields like social justice, healthcare, education, and environmental conservation.
Kasriel was dedicated to making a positive social effect outside of the Upwork platform. In addition to actively fighting for more participation of women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups, he backed projects that actively promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry.
In order to promote a feeling of belonging inside Upwork and the larger digital community, he took proactive measures after realizing the significance of creating a more diverse and equal workforce. In addition, Kasriel led initiatives to close the digital skills gap and support possibilities for lifelong learning for people trying to adjust to the needs of the digital economy.
He realized that the nature of labor was changing due to technology improvements and that people needed to constantly upskill and reskill in order to be competitive in the employment market.
In underprivileged neighborhoods, Kasriel aimed to increase access to high-quality education and professional development resources through collaborations with academic institutions, training providers, and business associations. The goal of Kasriel's investments in programs promoting digital literacy and skill development was to enable people to prosper in an increasingly digital environment and to open up new economic prospects for both their communities and themselves.
Stephane Kasriel is a tech entrepreneur, former CEO at Upwork Inc., a freelancing platform and a co-chair of the World Economic Forum Council on the New Social Contract.
I don’t think Mr. Kasriel is stepping down to “spend more time with the family.” The man seized the position after the merger and was announcing an increase of annual freelancers revenues from $1B in 2015 to $10 billion in the 6-year period which was the sole purpose of the merger.
The CEO of UpWork is Stephane Kasriel. He has been with the company since 2013 and is based in San Francisco. He is responsible for the overall direction and strategy of the company.
Stephane Kasriel's rise from a computer science student to a well-known person in the tech sector is evidence of his tenacity, inventiveness, and desire to promote change. Kasriel has made a lasting impact on the nature of work in the future with his leadership at Upwork, support of the gig economy, and thought leadership in remote work and entrepreneurship. Kasriel's ideas and insights provide us with direction as we negotiate the intricacies of a constantly changing job market and motivate us to seize the chances that lie ahead.