Bob Santamaria

About Bob Santamaria

As the VP of Portfolio Strategy at Ziplines Education I lead the end-to-end process of researching, identifying, and optimizing high-impact courses. I have over a decade of experience in product, strategy, and operations roles across the public and private sectors, with a focus on digital transformation, growth, and social impact.As the VP of Product at Emeritus, I helped lead the product strategy, operations, and research for a global education company that partners with top tier universities to offer online courses and certificates. I joined Emeritus in 2021 as a Senior Product Manager, where I launched and scaled several online bootcamps and certificates in collaboration with university partners. I then became the Associate Director of Product Operations and the Head of Global Product Research, where I rebuilt and managed our new program R&D process. I also led the development and implementation of a machine learning model that leverages public demand indicators and proprietary performance data to predict product viability. In my current role as the VP of Product, I oversee the entire product lifecycle of our Technology, Product Management, Sustainability, and Marketing programs, from ideation to launch, and ensure the quality, relevance, and accessibility of our online learning offerings. I am passionate about creating innovative and impactful solutions that address the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century workforce. I have a strong background in public policy and management, having earned my MS from Carnegie Mellon University and my BA from Harvard University. I also completed the HBX Core program from Harvard Business School. I have applied my skills and knowledge to various projects and initiatives in the fields of transportation, housing, education, and technology, working with diverse stakeholders and partners. I am always eager to learn new things, explore new domains, and collaborate with others who share my vision and values.

Experience

1. VP, Portfolio Strategy

   Ziplines Education

   Jul 2025 — Present

Education

• Carnegie Mellon University - Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy

  Master of Science - MS, Public Policy and Management

  2017 — 2019

• Harvard University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Social Studies

  2008 — 2012