Michael Karakashian

Michael Karakashian began their career in 2010 as an Independent Consultant and enrolled in an Online MBA program in International Hospitality Management, with a specialisation in Marketing and Innovation. In 2011, they joined Infobip as a Business Development Manager, where they identified and proposed SMS and USSD solutions for mobile banking and mass marketing businesses while managing Mobile Operator relationships for both WASP and SMS interconnection agreements. In 2014, they became the Owner of Where's the Wine, a small business providing affordable Surveillance, VoIP and Access Control solutions to homeowners and SOHO customers. From 2015 to 2017, they worked as a Product Manager at Cellfind, a leader in mobile communication solutions, from traditional mobile messaging to enhanced location based and smartphone solutions. In 2019, they became the Owner of BaconTree (Pty) Ltd, a small business providing consulting to messaging providers in SMS, RCS and other marketing communication tools. Also in 2019, they were hired as a Consultant at Grapevine. In 2020, they joined MTN as a VAS Systems Planner and in 2021, they became a Project Manager at Squire Technologies, where they manage and maintains multiple customer core network solution projects to MNO, MVNO and other communications service providers.

Michael Karakashian has an extensive education history. Michael obtained a BSc in Computer Information Systems from Bentley University between 1986 and 1990. Michael then attended Aiglon College from 1981 to 1986, where they obtained High School/Secondary Diplomas and Certificates. Michael furthered their education by obtaining an MBA in International Hospitality and Services Industry Management from Glion Institute of Higher Education between 2010 and 2013. Michael also has numerous certifications, such as a Scheme Manager: Home Owners Association from the University of Cape Town in 2019, Learning Food and Drink Photography from LinkedIn in 2017, WSET Level 2 in Wine and Spirits from Wine and Spirit Education Trust in 2014, WSET Level 1 from WSET in 2013, Certified Product Manager from Association of International Product Marketing and Management in 2009, Open Water Scuba Instructor from PADI in 2003, Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) from Scrum Alliance in 2020, and Grandstream Certified Specialist from Grandstream Networks in 2019.