Building the Future of Higher Ed Websites with Josh Koenig

Jan 3, 2025

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In this episode, Jeff Dillon is joined by Josh Koenig, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Pantheon, a WebOps platform transforming how website teams deliver exceptional digital experiences.

With over two decades of experience in web development and online engagement, Josh shares his incredible journey—from his early days building political campaign platforms like DeanSpace for Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential run to co-founding Chapter Three and ultimately Pantheon.

Josh dives into how Pantheon grew to become a leading WebOps platform, particularly excelling in the higher education sector, and explains how the company’s “productization” of consulting expertise addressed key challenges in web development collaboration and scalability. We discuss how his transition from Head of Product to Chief Strategy Officer allows him to focus on big-picture strategies that align with industry trends and customer needs.

He also reflects on how web development has evolved over the years, offering key insights into the future of WebOps in higher education and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting out, Josh’s lessons on leadership, innovation, and navigating complex digital ecosystems are sure to inspire.

Guest Profile

Josh Koenig Position: Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Pantheon
Over 20 years in web development
Founder of DeanSpace (Howard Dean 2004 campaign)
Co-founder of Chapter Three
WebOps innovation leader

Key Insights

Transformation of web development consulting into product
WebOps platform specialization in higher education
Evolution of digital experience platforms
Transition from product leadership to strategic leadership

Critical Observations

Web development landscape constantly evolving
Higher education requires specialized digital solutions
Consulting expertise can be productized
Technology collaboration needs innovative approaches

Strategic Insights

Pantheon's approach to solving web development challenges
Scaling web technologies for complex institutional needs
Bridging gap between consulting and product development
Future-proofing digital experience platforms

Episode Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Josh Koenig

03:00 - Consulting to Product Transformation

07:13 - Higher Education Web Platform Challenges

12:26 - Digital Experience Platforms Overview

16:09 - From Political Campaigns to Startup World

19:35 - Defining "Productization"

24:40 - WebOps Outsourcing Benefits

29:24 - Career Advice for Web Professionals

Key Takeaways