Gavin Wassung
Course Associate, Information & Knowledge Strategy (IKNS); Principal, Person
Gavin Wassung is a strategic advisor, educator, and transformation leader who guides organizations through complexity and uncertainty. With nearly two decades spanning financial services, payments, insurance, technology, and consumer sectors, he advises senior executives on growth strategy, artificial intelligence, product innovation, and customer experience transformation.
He translates complex business challenges into actionable and adaptable strategies. Working closely with leadership teams, Wassung aligns vision, strategy, and execution, connecting customer insights, technology, and business imperatives to drive sustainable growth. His expertise encompasses AI strategy, digital product innovation, operating model transformation, go-to-market strategy, and enterprise value management. Wassung has advised Fortune 100 and growth-stage organizations including American Express, Citi, Fiserv, MetLife, Northwestern Mutual, Samsung, Verizon, and Visa.
As faculty at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, Wassung teaches Digital Product Innovation and Entrepreneurship, preparing leaders to navigate complexity and drive innovation. Previously, he taught design and innovation for 7 years at his Alma mater, Pratt Institute. His teaching philosophy emphasizes customer insights, experimentation, design thinking, and AI-enabled innovation, equipping students with practical frameworks for building knowledge-based products and businesses that matter.