Yaz El Hakim

Yaz is the co-founder and CEO of VerifyEd, the leading blockchain-powered digital credentialing platform he established in February 2020. With over five years at the helm, he leads a talented team dedicated to ensuring lifelong learning can be immutably issued, easily stored, shared, and verified by employers and recruiters worldwide.

His extensive background in higher education includes current work as a Senior Teaching Fellow (Enterprise) at the University of Southampton and previous significant roles across the educational technology sector. As Director of Learner Experience at Kortext (2016-2019), he worked to transform learning environments for millions of learners through their digital textbook platform. During his time as Engagement Partner at Aula (2019-2020), he collaborated with higher education leaders to enhance student engagement through their Social Learning Platform.

Yaz's EdTech experience also includes positions as Head of UK Academic Partnerships at RefME (2016), where he developed partnerships with educational institutions while supporting their citation management platform, and Academic Technologist at Instructure (2015), ensuring pedagogic and technical alignment between the Canvas VLE and institutions across the EMEA region.

Prior to his EdTech career, Yaz served as Director of Student Engagement (2014-2015) and Director of Learning and Teaching (2007-2014) at the University of Winchester, where he led strategic initiatives including the Student Fellows Scheme and chaired the Senate L&T Committee. His academic journey began as a University Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Winchester (2004-2007) after serving as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Chichester (2002-2004).

His academic credentials include a Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Leadership from the University of Southampton and an MSc in Sport Psychology from the University of Chichester. He has also made significant contributions to educational development as Co-Chair/Vice-Chair of the Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA) for five years and as an Associate with Connected Leadership, delivering professional development programs focused on self-leadership and organizational leadership.

This unique blend of entrepreneurial leadership, academic experience, and commitment to educational innovation makes Yaz exceptionally qualified to address the transformative potential of digital credentials and employee development.