Michael Rasmussen — CEO
If you ask my family what I do for a living, they might say that I “travel the world talking about risk.” And honestly, that wouldn’t be far from the truth. But the more formal introduction is that I am an analyst, researcher, storyteller, and, as the industry likes to remind me, the Father of GRC. More than 23 years ago, while at Forrester Research, I coined the acronym GRC and articulated it as a way to integrate governance, risk management, and compliance capabilities in strategy, process, and technology. Today, through GRC 20/20 Research, I spend my days studying how organizations around the world navigate complexity and uncertainty. My job is to observe patterns, identify challenges, understand how strategy, process, and technology intersect, and help organizations evolve to be more effective, efficient, resilient, and agile. Along the way, I also founded GRC Report, a global news and insights platform focused entirely on governance, risk management, compliance, and business integrity news and insights around the world. It has become a place where practitioners, executives, policymakers, and technologists can see the GRC landscape through a global lens. I also host two podcasts — Risk Is Our Business Podcast and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the GRC Technology Galaxy Podcast — because I believe conversation is one of the most powerful tools we have for changing how people think about risk and integrity. These podcasts allow me to explore big ideas with remarkable minds from around the world, and they keep me grounded in the reality that risk is not merely a function — it is the fabric of every decision and every ambition.In many ways, I am an explorer of uncertainty. As an industry analyst, I map and monitor the ever-expanding GRC galaxy — now tracking over 1,500 solutions and the professional services orbiting them. The universe of GRC is vast, dynamic, and constantly in motion, and I am endlessly fascinated by how organizations chart their course through it.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) expert with a focus on consulting and strategic advisory.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Experience: 32 yrs 3 mos
Skills
- Grc
- Risk Management
Career Highlights
- Pioneered the GRC framework over 23 years ago.
- Founded a global news platform for governance and compliance.
- Hosts influential podcasts on risk management.
Work Experience
GRC Report
CEO (5 yrs 4 mos)
GRC 20/20 Research, LLC
GRC Analyst & Pundit, CEO (18 yrs 6 mos)
Forrester Research, Inc.
Vice-President - GRC Governance, Risk and Compliance Research (6 yrs 9 mos)
Denmac Systems
Practice Leader - Risk & Compliance Management (3 yrs)
Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin
Senior Security/Compliance Analyst (1 yr)
Derse
MIS Director (2 yrs 11 mos)
Education
Masters at Nashotah House
Certificate in Anglican Studies at The Ridley Institute
Master of Arts - MA at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Juris Doctorate at Oakbrook College of Law and Government Policy
B.S. at University of Phoenix
General Studies at Flathead Valley Community College
Theology at North Central Bible College
High School at Flathead High School