Pros
The staff is filled with sharp, innovative thinkers who deserve better leadership. The creative team in particular is top-tier—some of the best I’ve worked with in the higher ed space. They consistently produce strong, strategic work that reflects a deep understanding of the market—but too often, they’re forced to succeed in spite of the dysfunction above them.
Cons
The CEO is the single biggest liability to the company. He is erratic, manipulative, and untrustworthy. Though he will certainly try to tell you differently, his leadership style is rooted in fear and control, not strategy or vision. He micromanages obsessively, surrounds himself with “yes people,” and actively devalues anyone who challenges him. While I was employed at Net Natives, promising products and initiatives, like their once-innovative reporting platform (Akero), stagnated or failed entirely due to his inability to lead with consistency or foresight. Instead, the company rapidly cycles through the same "new visions” every quarter—which created chaos and burnout amongst the staff. Finally, while the company markets itself as progressive and inclusive, this rarely shows up at the leadership level—particularly in how women are treated.