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Alex Howland

Co-Founder and PresidentVirbela

San Diego, CA

Member Since April 2021

About

Alex Howland, Ph.D., is president and co-founder of Virbela, a virtual world platform for work, learning, and events. Howland created Virbela in 2012, before it was purchased and made public by eXp World Holdings in 2018. Virbela’s mission is to help organizations and people thrive in a remote-first future. Alex leads the development of Virbela’s products and services -- continuing to expand the platform to accommodate not just business workspaces, but classrooms, event spaces, and recreational areas as well. Prior to co-founding Virbela, Alex was an instructor in the Psychology Department at University of California, San Diego, where he taught Industrial and Organizational Psychology to undergraduate students. His expertise in organizational psychology gives him a unique perspective on creating virtual work and education spaces. He designed Virbela specifically to create a unique virtual experience where users feel psychologically safe and are more likely to collaborate, brainstorm, and succeed. Alex has a bachelor of science in psychology from Providence College, and his Ph.D. in organizational psychology from Alliant International University, San Diego.

Published content

The psychological impact of metaverse AI on the individual worker

article

AI will eventually act as an interface in the metaverse, and the potential reward is massive. Carefully think it through, considering employees at the forefront.

Metaverse evolution: How AI can advance virtual worlds for enterprise companies

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As AI becomes more powerful, we can expect it to shape the future of the metaverse, creating dynamic and personalized virtual environments for organizations, their staff, and other stakeholders. 

Is you business setting higher DEI standards in today's workplace?

expert panel

14 tips for business leaders aiming to reframe a culture of adaptability at the office. For a company to remain competitive and survive in today's marketplace, its leaders must be willing to fully embrace what it means to build a culture of adaptability among a diverse workforce and live up to its own expectations. Improving the company's culture won't happen overnight, but if leaders begin to gather and share employee success stories and transformative behavior patterns, doing so will plant the seed of change for the better. In turn, top talent will be more likely to take a second look at potential career opportunities at the prospective company. Here are 14 suggestions from Fast Company Executive Board members that can lead to a better work environment and a desire to change. 

Navigating the enterprise metaverse: Balancing risk and reward

article

Whether you choose to be an early adopter or a fast follower, a clear strategy and thoughtful execution are key to success in the metaverse.

Metaverse trends, predictions, and advice for 2023

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Leading organizations that prioritize technology investments are likely to be in a far more advanced position at the end of 2023 than they are now.

How the metaverse can end work silos and surface innovation

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Unlock this level of collaboration and you can transform performance across your entire company. Everyday sticking points become more fluid. Insights gain context. Groundbreaking ideas flare and catch wind.

Company details

Virbela

Company bio

Virbela builds engaging virtual worlds for work, learning, and events. Founded in 2012 by a team of behavioral psychologists, Virbela’s mission is to help organizations and people thrive in a remote-first future. With immersive 3D spaces that are deeply social and collaborative, Virbela brings business and in-person experiences to life online, while enabling teams to be more connected and productive.

Industry

Technology

Area of focus

Virtual Workforce
Education
Events

Company size

51 - 200