Open LMS Welcomes New Senior Manager of Implementation and Adoption, Ismael Lara
Ismael Lara has more than 15 years of edtech and L&D experience spanning multiple roles throughout his career.
Open LMS, the world’s largest commercial provider of hosting and support services for open-source Moodle™ and a market leader in learning and development solutions, today announced Ismael “Izzy” Lara as its new Senior Manager of Implementation and Adoption.
Izzy has held various edtech and L&D roles throughout his career of more than 15 years, including instructional designer, business analyst, and adjunct instructor of programming courses at Rutgers University. In his most recent position, Izzy was the Director of Implementations and Customer Success at Open LMS’s sibling company, Watershed.
As Senior Manager of Implementation and Adoption, some of Izzy’s responsibilities include:
- Designing, delivering, and overseeing product adoption and client education programs
- Organizing and moderating informational webinars, events, and other client engagement initiatives
- Establishing and nurturing client relationships through strategic support and customized solutions
- Leading global, cross-functional teams to ensure Open LMS clients receive the best-possible support experiences
Izzy is also heavily involved in developing updated content and resources for the newest iteration of Open LMS Academy. These new training courses will give LMS administrators and users the in-depth knowledge and resources necessary to help them strengthen their software skills and enhance their instructional practices. Open LMS Academy courses are based on best practices in instructional design and andragogy to support instructors in their efforts to improve educational outcomes at their organizations and institutions. Izzy and his team will launch the latest Open LMS Academy offerings in late 2025.
Izzy had this to say about joining the team at Open LMS: “I’m really excited to be part of Open LMS. It’s great to work alongside edtech innovators and enthusiasts who want nothing more than to ensure our clients receive the best possible support. I’ve been in our clients’ shoes and know what it’s like to build courses and learning experiences for people. Now I have the opportunity to help learning designers and instructors achieve their goals, many of which are very similar to my past experiences. I look forward to working with clients to address their needs and support their learners.”
Sam Scarpine, Senior Director of Implementation and Adoption at Open LMS, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Izzy to the Open LMS team. With his first-hand experiences working as an instructor and instructional designer, Izzy understands our clients’ struggles and pain points. His unique background and perspective give our team fresh insight into our clients’ experiences and enhance our ability to support their success. I look forward to working with Izzy to strengthen our client relationships and further support them in reaching their L&D goals.”
To see how Open LMS can support your organization’s training and development needs, request a demo today!