Sean Vassilaros

Sean Vassilaros is an accomplished entrepreneur and philanthropist dedicated to leveraging technology for positive societal impact. At the core of his work is a commitment to character and family, where integrity plays a central role in every pursuit. As the CEO of KANNY, he is leading the charge in transforming hiring practices through peer-driven Character Checks. KANNY utilizes advanced technology to gather and verify feedback from previous and current colleagues, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of a candidate's character while respecting the privacy of both parties. This approach fills a critical gap in talent acquisition, providing both job-seekers and recruiters with a vital tool to build high-achieving teams grounded in integrity and trust, given the importance character plays in building a successful culture. Driven by a deep love for technology and a unique ability to communicate complex ideas with ease, Sean’s entrepreneurial journey started at the age of 21 when he co-founded his first company during the dotcom era. Two years later he sold the company and joined a prestigious Los Angeles agency to grow his skills serving the travel, entertainment and healthcare industries. His career continued with notable IT and communications consulting roles which led to a position as Chief Operating Office (COO) for Ignite Health (Part of inVentiv/Syneos). In 2012, Sean co-founded THREAD, a company focused on pioneering decentralized clinical trials, Under his leadership, THREAD revolutionized healthcare research, working on groundbreaking projects with acclaimed commercial brands such as Apple, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson, academic institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, UCSF, and USC, and the biggest pharma brands such as Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibb, and AstraZeneca. Sean remains an owner at THREAD and serves as a board observer, maintaining his connection to the company's ongoing success and innovation. Sean sits on the Board of Directors for Spectrum Science, a full-service healthcare agency hyper-focused on health and science. Sean also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Lehigh University, mentoring engineering students and leading international projects through the Creative Inquiry program. Social responsibility and philanthropy are paramount to Sean, as exemplified by his establishment of the Hailey Mayz Foundation, a non-profit organization formed to honor the passing of his daughter, that has provided physical, speech, and occupational therapy to thousands of special needs children for over a decade. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board and oversees the strategic vision and direction for the Foundation. He also currently serves as Chairman of the Board for OUR Rescue (previously Operation Underground Railroad) - the organization featured in the 2023 blockbuster movie “The Sound of Freedom”. He led them as the interim CEO through a turnaround during a challenging year. His visionary leadership and global humanitarian efforts inspire meaningful change worldwide.