Carlos Bortoni Joins Batten Institute to Lead New Tech Hub

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business is pleased to announce that Carlos Bortoni (MBA/M.Ed. ’19) has joined the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology’s leadership team as senior director of global tech strategy to run the Tech Hub, a newly launched cross-departmental effort to advance Darden’s presence and standing in technology.

A native of Monterrey, Mexico, Bortoni’s career has focused on education and technology. Most recently, he oversaw strategy for Qualtrics’ global education practice, working with thousands of K-12, higher education and public sector clients globally. Bortoni also worked in the education practice for Hanover Research and for global consultancy PwC. At the 2015 Y20 Summit, a youth-issues focused offshoot of the G20 Summit, he led negotiations to establish education policy proposals for G20 Heads of State to evaluate and incorporate.

“I’m humbled and excited to come back to Darden to join an amazing team of academics and professionals,” Bortoni said. “Technology is a great global equalizer and connector. There’s no industry where technology isn’t changing things. We have amazing momentum at Batten to do even more with thought leadership, faculty, events, recruiting top students and serving alumni.”

Omar Garriott, the Batten Institute’s executive director, worked with Bortoni at Qualtrics and recruited him to Batten. “From my time working with Carlos in the tech sector, I know him to be three things: a highly strategic thinker, a proactive doer and super passionate about Darden. He will bring an intense and inspired focus on helping Darden advance its standing in tech, grounded in his love for the School.”

Bortoni will build a global network of tech sector advocates and advisors for Darden, as well as increase programming that highlights faculty thought leadership. He also aims to strengthen the student experience across the entire pipeline, from admission recruiting to post-Darden alumni networking and events. “The journey does not stop when you graduate,” he said. “We want to continue lifelong learning and touch points for students, from their first role out of school to executive education, start-up launches and general tech management positions that follow.”

The Batten Institute, established in 1999 with a $60 million bequest from philanthropist and entrepreneur Frank Batten Sr., is known for world-class entrepreneurship and experiential learning. The establishment of the Tech Hub signals the institute’s critical focus on technology and AI as drivers of innovation.

“I want to accelerate Batten’s work and raise our profile in technology,” Bortoni said. “We have the right direction established. Now there are opportunities to move faster, better, stronger.”

The Batten opportunity is not just a professional fit for Bortoni, but personal one too.

He was born and raised in Mexico, eventually winning a full-ride scholarship to Harvard University (B.A. ’11) and then to Darden, where he earned dual degrees: an MBA and a master’s in education. At Darden, he was president of the Education Club and completed the Batten Institute’s i.Lab Incubator program after graduation. During his student years in Charlottesville, he became a U.S. citizen.

“My North Star is that, when the education system is done right, it changes people’s lives,” he said. “Darden changed my life. I want to do that for other students. There is nothing more important than equipping students for a lifelong journey of learning and connecting. We have amazing momentum and I’m excited to be part of the team trying to accelerate that for our community.”

Read a Q&A with Bortoni about his new role and the Tech Hub here.