Michael Crandell

Michael Crandell is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bitwarden, a prominent open-source password management service. He has been leading the company since November 2019, driving its overall strategy and growth from its headquarters in Santa Barbara, California.15

Professional Background

Before joining Bitwarden, Crandell was the CEO and co-founder of RightScale Inc., a cloud management platform, from June 2007 until October 2018.12 He also served as the CEO of Celebros Inc. from August 2003 to June 2007 and held the position of Executive Vice President at eFax.com from July 1996 to December 2000.1 His career reflects a strong focus on technology and cloud services, underpinned by his extensive leadership experience in various technology companies.

Education

Crandell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University, where he studied from 1974 to 1978. He also attended Harvard University for a brief period in 1978-1979.2

Leadership Philosophy

Crandell is known for his progressive views on employee performance and workplace culture. He emphasizes results over hours worked, advocating for a flexible work environment that fosters trust among team members. This approach has been particularly effective as Bitwarden operates with a remote workforce spread across more than 20 countries.4 He believes in treating employees as self-managing professionals, which contributes to a positive organizational culture and enhances productivity.4

Contributions to Cybersecurity

Under Crandell’s leadership, Bitwarden has positioned itself as a leader in the cybersecurity space by focusing on community engagement and open-source principles. He has articulated a vision that combines technology with user-centric design, aiming to make digital security accessible and effective for individuals and organizations alike.36 Crandell's insights into the importance of community-driven development have been shared in various discussions and podcasts, highlighting his commitment to enhancing cybersecurity through collaboration and transparency.3

In summary, Michael Crandell's extensive background in tech leadership, combined with his innovative approach to workplace culture and cybersecurity, positions him as a significant figure in the industry today.