Endorsements

Mike brings together strategic vision, market insight, and deep technical expertise, making him a standout in any organization. Mike’s talent for turning complex technological concepts into clear, actionable product roadmaps has been a cornerstone of our success at Engineered Innovation Group.
Jake Miller · CEO, Engineered Innovation Group
Peer · August 2024
Mike’s extensive experience and expertise are evident in his ability to simplify complex ideas into deliverable products. Mike constantly discovers new and innovative products that inspire our design team, and his proactive approach and keen eye for detail always keep us ahead of the curve… he is a great teacher, teammate, and someone who will always have your back!
Vincent Yap · UX/UI Designer
Worked on my team · August 2024
He is the rare talent with a balanced blend of deep product expertise and business acumen. Mike is exceptional at envisioning the future and building plans to further define, design and deliver that future.
Karen Mangia · WSJ Bestselling Author & Keynote Speaker
My manager · August 2024
I worked with him at EIG, and honestly saw him as a Mentor (and still do). His personality, knowledge, tenacity and out-of-nowhere BATMAN! references made him an absolute pleasure to work with… I can only recommend him in the highest form!
Gleb Alexeev · AI/ML Engineer, JMI Equity
Peer · August 2024
Smart, driven, and willing to get into the weeds, I could count on him to shape and execute the vision. He has the ability to take abstract ideas and shape them into actionable product strategies that teams can deliver.
Mary Hubbard · Executive Director, WordPress.org
My manager · June 2023
It’s not often you come across a standout talent like Mike. During our time together at Automattic, he consistently amazed me with his depth of understanding in product development and knack for seeing the bigger picture. Always a team player… willingness to jump in at a moments notice and help with pretty much any project.
Dave Martin · Product, Automattic
Peer · May 2023
Mike is one of the most engaged, energetic, and fearless folks that I have worked with. These traits were invaluable as we recently worked on a large initiative across business units with leadership changes throughout the project. Mike is a strong addition to any team.
Eric Binnion · Payments Engineering Lead, Automattic
My manager · May 2023
It was a pleasure working with Mike, not only for his strategic prowess but for his depth in product knowledge. Mike drove not only his direct marketing work but product requirements, product market fit and the strategic direction of the product we were building.
Elina Vilk · President & Chief Business Officer, David’s Bridal
Peer · May 2023
He thrives in uncertainty and has the rare ability to catalyze product and project launches by connecting people across functions, and rolling up the sleeves to fill whatever gap gets in his way to the finish line… Mike demonstrated an impressive effectiveness at driving clarity and overseeing execution, at every step of the way.
Manos Psychogyiopoulos · Engineer, Designer, Entrepreneur
Peer · May 2023
He juggled multiple stakeholders and teams, spanning engineering, design, marketing, and finance… He took on all sorts of additional work—whatever was needed to “make things happen”… His apparently-limitless energy was an invaluable driver to our work.
Beau Lebens · Head of Woo, Automattic
Peer · May 2023

Mike was easily one of the best managers and mentors I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. It should go without saying that he has been a critical factor in my career progression over the last five years… If you’re looking for a great leader, supportive manager, and strategic implementer – Mike is your guy.
Daine Mawer · Staff Engineer, Web Applications
Reported to me · July 2023
He fights hard for his teams and projects to be supported, but he also has a style that directly provides the feedback needed for his teams to know how they can be successful without having to be micromanaged… He always thinks outside the box in how we can further iterate and improve products and services… Mike would be a terrific hire for any role.
Ben Greeley · CTO, XWP
Peer · May 2023
Mike brings an entrepreneurial energy, no-BS style, creativity, and fearlessness to challenge his teams and leaders to any job he’s in. He’s the unique leader that even inside a larger business stays hungry, refuses to play office politics, and prioritizes what really matters to the bottom line.
Jake Goldman · Founder of 10up; Partner at Fueled
My manager · May 2023
Mike has a unique ability to understand the needs and desires of his clients and ensure that their expectations are not only met but exceeded… Mike is also an excellent leader, teammate, and person… If I could build an ideal team, Mike would absolutely be a part of it.
Tim Wright · Engineer & Accessibility Advocate
Peer · May 2023
Mike is a strong leader who takes extra care of his team… Mike had a strong gift for navigating through challenging conversations, an art that most people struggle with… People looked up to Mike and that was refreshing to see and inspiring.
Brad Miller · Enterprise Digital Strategy & AI Consulting
Senior colleague at 10up · January 2023
Mike quickly rose to the top as one of our most strategic leaders of people and projects, not only driving positive results on his own work, but supporting and inspiring his direct reports and colleagues to do their best work as well… I count Mike among a small group of leaders that I would hire again in an instant.
Grant Landram · Senior Leadership, 10up
Hired and managed me · March 2020
He was always available to help me, and assisted me with some finer points of Project Management, something outside of the role/responsibility of his position at the time.
Malcolm Peralty · Lead PM, Systems & AI Transformation
Peer at 10up · August 2016

It’s rare that people have the opportunity to report to a manager who motivates and encourages you to grow as much as Mike does. He expertly navigates the complexities of being a supervisor, a mentor and a fellow contributor – all while being an incredibly fun person to work alongside.
Brandi Awbrey · Product Engineering, Chime
Reported to me · November 2014
Mike is a hard-working, motivated, and dedicated person… He is always on top of the new changes to social platforms and is willing to help teach them so everyone can understand those changes. Mike’s dedication and enthusiasm to his work is inspiring. I would highly recommend him.
Josh Fisher · Customer Success & Technical Account Management
Reported to me · April 2014
Michael Bal was one of the most dedicated professionals through his work at Baseline21, LLC. He is an open minded team player with boundless energy. Dedicated, proactive, highly motivated and responsible strategist with a great skill to analyze and summarize ideas… Michael definitely shines in a fast-paced environment.
David Podlisecki · UI/UX & Digital Designer
Reported to me · February 2013
Michael Bal is a reliable co-worker, his knowledge is vast and thorough… Very good, result driven, efficient and careful person. Michael Bal is probably one of the best team players I’ve ever met in my life.
Antonio Deleon · Principal Product Designer; ex-Zoom, AWS, Amazon
Reported to me · January 2013

Mike is one of the most competent, comprehensive and creative minds that I’ve had the pleasure to work with. His enthusiasm, energy and charisma lifts everyone on the team to new levels… he can creatively implement such strategies to drive success and results to clients.
Jason Delodovici
Peer · August 2013

Whilst there were 100 experts in the report, Mike’s words were the words that stood out the most as “real world” social media help for my market… he’s a top bloke who can talk TO you rather than AT you. Recommend massively.
Nathan Hague
Client · July 2013

Mike is easily one of the most down to earth and knowledgeable minds in the digital marketing field. His constant pursuit of quality and cutting edge methods always inspires me… He consistently delivers results and empowers his clients with his knowledge and expertise.
Steve Stuart · Director of Marketing, Gibson
Worked together across companies · May 2013

Hardworking and very creative. Forward thinking and careful, he is ready to deal with difficult situations and solve the problems on time. If you ever need someone to deliver under pressure, no slip-ups, just results, Mike is your man! Lots of work and little talk. Deliver results and move on. That’s Mike’s way.
Alexandra Vezure · Founder & Creative Director, AV UI/UX Design
Peer · September 2012

Mike’s ability to look at a challenge, situation or project and come up with 5 equally compelling and creative ideas to tackle it always had me stunned and wanting to learn more… Mike would be the perfect addition to any team looking for an independent thought-leader with charisma, kindness and the ability to make every person in the room feel as though they are important.
Kelsey Jones · Digital Content & Social Media Strategy, MITRE
Peer · August 2012

I couldn’t have been more impressed with his creative ideas and incredible work ethic. He has consistently delivered results by exponentially growing my social media following by developing and executing innovative marketing strategies. Mike has an unrivaled ability to visually translate written content…
Harvey Mackay · Bestselling Author; Chairman, MackayMitchell Envelope Company
Client · August 2012

Mike is a creative, hard working, and talented marketing strategist… he’s also a problem solver as he’s able to come up with creative solutions to nearly any challenge… He’s one of those people you don’t want working for your competition, you want him working for you.
Joe Soto · CMO; Marketing & GTM Strategy
My manager at One Social Media · August 2012

His expertise, coupled with his quick response and helpfulness were exceptional. He knows social media, is creative and a true collaborator. I recommend him and his services.
Mark Sanborn · Bestselling Author & Leadership Speaker
Client · August 2012

Endorsements

What the people I’ve worked with actually say.

The same few themes, for over a decade.

Product leadership · Automattic, WordPress.com, Engineered Innovation Group

Leading teams at 10up

The people who reported to me

Clients and the early years