Meet Adrian Chernoff | CEO of Ojje

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adrian Chernoff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adrian, what principle do you value most?
Making a big, bold, and lasting impact on the world. Yes, it sounds ambitious, but for me, changing the world isn’t just a dream—it’s the driving force behind everything I do. It’s about delivering innovations that genuinely improve lives, whether by reshaping industries or creating products that make a real difference. Over time, this has become my guiding principle: 1) making a positive impact on the world, 2) delivering products that make a real difference, 3) creating solutions for the greater good, and 4) applying technology and design in groundbreaking ways.

At General Motors, I led the Reinvention of the Automobile as the Chief Creative Engineer, where I was the inventor behind the world’s first revolutionary electric and autonomous vehicle platform. This groundbreaking platform set new standards for the future of the automotive industry, redefining what’s possible in vehicle design and technology. Today, it serves as the foundation for electric vehicles used by Tesla, Volkswagen, Rivian, GM, and many others. Later, at Johnson & Johnson, as the Worldwide VP and Global Head of R&D, I spearheaded the creation of the #1 downloaded diabetes management app in the world, helping millions of people better manage their condition and lead healthier lives.

These experiences reflect my core belief: through thoughtful, actionable innovation, we can deliver products that advance industries while improving lives. That’s exactly what we’re doing at Ojje—we’re flipping the script on childhood literacy and creating a path for every student to thrive, no matter where they start.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Ojje, we’re focused on helping both teachers and children tackle one of the biggest global challenges: literacy. Our mission is to advance literacy by making it accessible and effective for every child, no matter where they start.

How do we do it? We harmonize the latest technology and intuitive design to deliver a personalized reading experience for each child. Our platform offers stories at 11 different reading levels, dynamically adjusting based on a child’s progress and comprehension. This real-time adaptation ensures that every student gets a fully tailored experience, keeping them engaged while significantly reducing the workload for teachers. Instead of juggling multiple reading materials, teachers can rely on Ojje to automatically generate comprehension questions and audiobooks, freeing them to focus on fostering growth in the classroom.

What sets us apart is our ability to adapt constantly to each student’s literacy needs. While most platforms offer static content at a single reading level, Ojje continuously adjusts to meet the child where they are, creating a personalized learning path. This makes the learning experience more engaging for students and easier for teachers, allowing them to focus on what really matters: teaching.

We’re also deeply rooted in the Science of Reading and phonics principles, ensuring our approach is research-backed and effective. By focusing on phonics and decoding strategies, we equip students with the foundational skills they need to become fluent readers, which is crucial for their long-term success. Our system goes beyond just offering content; it builds essential reading skills step by step, setting students up for a lifetime of confident, proficient reading.

Why is this so important? Because literacy is a global issue, and it’s one of the biggest barriers to opportunity. In classrooms all over the world, students are struggling with reading, and teachers need better tools to support them. At Ojje, we believe that by advancing literacy, we’re helping students unlock their full potential. Literacy isn’t just about reading; it’s the foundation for broader opportunities in life.

At the end of the day, our goal is to empower both teachers and students by using the power of technology and design to create better learning outcomes. We’re not just building another educational app—we’re creating a solution to one of the world’s most pressing challenges, transforming how literacy is taught in classrooms everywhere.

If you’re a teacher or school administrator, we’d love to connect and show you how Ojje can help boost literacy for your students.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If one of my good friends were visiting Boulder for a week, we’d mix in some adventure, relaxation, and, of course, great food. First, we’d start with a hike up Mount Sanitas. The views from the top are breathtaking, and while it’s a bit of a workout, it’s totally worth it.

After that, we’d swing by Skratch Labs Cafe for a healthy, delicious lunch—perfect for refueling after the hike. It’s a laid-back spot with fresh ingredients and something for everyone. Then, we’d head over to Eldorado Springs Swimming Pool for a relaxing swim—it’s an ideal way to unwind after an active morning.

The next day would be all about Chautauqua Park. We’d go for another hike and then grab lunch at the historic Chautauqua Dining Hall. The food is fantastic, and the cozy, nostalgic vibe makes you feel right at home.

Midweek, we’d hit up Amante Food Hall for some local eats before driving up to Nederland. Along the way, we’d take a break at Boulder Falls to soak in the natural beauty. Once in Nederland, we’d check out the Carousel of Happiness—super unique, with all the animals hand-carved by Vietnam vet Scott Harrison.

For dinner, we’d head to Rosetta Food Hall in downtown Boulder. It’s got a vibrant atmosphere, and with so many food options, we’d get to try a little bit of everything.

We’d also spend an afternoon at the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse—the design is stunning, and the food is just as special. We’d end the week at Rayback Collective, the perfect spot for food trucks, music, and some chill vibes.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been fortunate to have some incredible mentors along the way. My Uncle Wayne Bobrick, who ran Wright’s, the oldest Indian trading post in Albuquerque, taught me the value of authenticity in building meaningful customer relationships. Jack Kochner saw my creative potential and gave me my first shot at NASA. Roger Mikulus, Chief Engineer at General Motors, constantly pushed me to go beyond what I thought I was capable of. And Mark Hogan, former Group Vice President at GM and a Toyota board member, taught me the true art of leadership. Although most of these amazing mentors have passed, their influence continues to guide me every day.

Website: https://www.ojje.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ojjestories/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianchernoff/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ojjetainment

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