Our Team

Lauren Agee has worked in education since 2011 and serves as the Director of Special Services at Graduation Alliance. She holds a master’s degree in Special Education and oversees programs that support students with disabilities, English learners, and other special service populations. Lauren is committed to ensuring equitable access to education and providing individualized services that meet each student’s unique needs. Her leadership is focused on maintaining compliance and fostering a culture of support for at-risk students across all programs.

Michael Aguiar is a seasoned Call Center Operations leader with over 20 years of experience in high-volume outbound environments, currently serving as Director of Call Center Operations at Graduation Alliance. Passionate about leveraging data-driven strategies and team collaboration to re-engage students and drive enrollment success, he focuses on dialer optimization, performance analytics, and process improvements that make a meaningful difference in learners’ lives. Michael has built his career leading dynamic teams in education outreach, consistently delivering strong results in connect rates, transfer volume, and operational efficiency. Born in Brazil and fluent in three languages, he brings a multicultural perspective to his work. Now based in Connecticut, Michael is an avid comic book and movie enthusiast, and he enjoys channeling his creativity as a filmmaker. He is deeply committed to helping students transform their futures through accessible education.

Anya Brennan joined Graduation Alliance in 2015, bringing more than a decade of experience in law enforcement and social services. She earned dual degrees in political science and psychology, holds a law certificate from Utah State University, and a master’s degree in history. Anya is passionate about education and about building programs that make a lasting difference in students’ lives. Her work at Graduation Alliance allows her to combine her background in service and advocacy with her commitment to helping every student succeed.

Randy Cavazos joined Graduation Alliance in 2020, bringing extensive experience in education leadership, business development, and strategic planning. Before joining the organization, he spent several years consulting and working with numerous education companies and organizations, including the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), Voyager Learning, McGraw Hill, and Curriculum & Associates. Randy has led major initiatives at both the state and local levels focused on one-to-one learning, Reading First, the Student Success Initiative, district innovation, technology integration, and school safety. From 2014 to 2017, he served as Interim Executive Director of the Texas Association of Latino Administrators & Superintendents (TALAS), guiding the organization’s growth and continuing today as an honorary board member. Randy attended Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, where he majored in business.

Dominique Charles serves as the Assistant Director of Tiered Services, where she is dedicated to building strong, student-centered support systems that help learners, Districts and families succeed. Now in her fifth year with Graduation Alliance, Dominique brings valuable experience from her previous role as a Student Services Manager within the Attendance Recovery Program, supporting students and families across the nation. She is currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration to further strengthen her leadership and organizational skills. Known for her collaborative and compassionate approach, Dominique is passionate about improving access, engagement, and long-term outcomes for students. As a proud military spouse and mother of three, she understands the importance of adaptability, resilience, and community. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, spending time at the beach, and supporting her kids at sporting events!

Amanda Conley serves as Vice President of Regulatory Compliance at Graduation Alliance, where she oversees state and district partnerships to ensure compliance with education laws and accountability standards. With more than 20 years of experience in K–12 education leadership, special education, and virtual school operations, she is recognized for her strategic planning, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative approach to supporting student success.

Star Connor has over 20 years of experience in education with a proven record of transforming schools facing complex challenges. She has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and transformation region superintendent, working to support historically underserved students in Duval and Hillsborough County Public Schools. Now the Managing Director for the State of Florida at Graduation Alliance, Star is dedicated to re-engaging students who have left school and helping them earn their high school diplomas. She remains steadfast in her belief that all students can achieve at high levels and deserve access to a brighter future.

Todd Dalsted serves as the Managing Director of Customer Experience at Graduation Alliance and has dedicated 27 years to the field of education. His career includes roles as a teacher, counselor, and alternative education administrator, as well as 12 years in educational technology. For the past nine years, Todd has been an integral part of Graduation Alliance, where he focuses on improving the student and partner experience through innovation and service excellence. He is a member of the Online Learning Advisory Council at OSPI and serves on the Open Doors Youth Steering Committee. Todd earned his Bachelor of Arts in Education from Concordia University and a master’s degree in School Counseling from City University.

Anh Dao has more than 20 years of experience in education, serving as both a teacher and an administrator. She is passionate about using data to guide decision-making and improve school outcomes, as well as developing professional learning opportunities that help educators strengthen their instructional practices. Outside of work, Anh enjoys crafting and exploring creative outlets that keep her inspired.

Dr. Donald Dement serves as President of Higher Education at Graduation Alliance. A seasoned leader with more than two decades of experience, he has dedicated his career to advancing innovation and growth across higher education institutions and edtech organizations. Before joining Graduation Alliance, Dr. Dement held leadership roles at Academic Partnerships and Ellucian, where he consistently exceeded sales and operational goals. He earned his Ph.D. in Social Psychology and Management from the University of Houston and holds a Certificate in Conflict Resolution from the A.A. White Dispute Resolution Institute. A certified mediator, Dr. Dement is passionate about fostering collaboration and empowering institutions to create meaningful student outcomes.

Brayden joined Graduation Alliance in 2019 as an Academic Coach and currently holds the position of Director of Student Services. He has supported teenage and young adult students in behavioral and academic settings since 2015, and is dedicated to helping others achieve their goals. In his free time, Brayden enjoys reading, movies, sports, and any outdoor activity.

Audrey Drahos is passionate about helping people improve their lives and has been supporting students in higher education since 2010. Her career has focused on student services, where she discovered her ability to make a meaningful impact on both students and colleagues. Over the years, Audrey has advanced from roles in university housing to serving as a director of student services, developing programs that enhance the student experience. She is excited to be part of the Graduation Alliance team and is dedicated to helping students achieve success in their educational journeys.

Dareece Gibson-Bradford earned her degree from Grambling State University in 2007 and began her career in higher education as an academic advisor. With more than a decade of experience in the education industry, she has served in a variety of roles dedicated to supporting student growth and success. Dareece is passionate about helping others overcome adversity and discover their full potential. Family-oriented and adventurous, she enjoys traveling and spending quality time with loved ones.

Charlie Gilb is a technology professional with more than 15 years of experience as an analyst, engineer, architect, consultant, and leader. He is passionate about helping organizations harness data and information to make smarter, more informed decisions. Before joining Graduation Alliance in 2021, Charlie provided technical leadership across a range of industries, including transportation, social services, healthcare, government, and manufacturing. In his current role, he oversees the company’s enterprise data warehouse, system integrations, and business intelligence platforms. Charlie earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Minnesota and is committed to leveraging technology to improve educational outcomes.

Dr. Mary Harris serves as Senior Vice President of Program Development at Graduation Alliance and has spent more than 20 years working across the education landscape. Her diverse experience includes teaching at the middle school level, serving in district administration, and contributing to organizations such as the Department of Defense Education Activity, Google EDU, and several education startups. Mary believes every student deserves a personalized education that supports both academic and social-emotional growth. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary/Middle School Education, a Master of Arts in Education Principalship, and a Doctorate in Education Leadership Superintendency. Outside of work, Mary enjoys time with her two teenage children and two rescue pitties and is a competitive bodybuilder and powerlifter.

For more than 20 years, Ed Hildy has worked in the recruiting, training, and education industries, building high-performing teams and delivering exceptional results. As Vice President of Enrollment Optimization, he focuses on developing and refining recruitment and enrollment processes and has been instrumental in advancing the technology, workflow, and enrollment practices for Graduation Alliance’s largest business segment. A passionate servant leader, Ed is dedicated to helping students improve their lives while empowering colleagues to reach their full potential. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Western Illinois University and completed graduate studies in industrial-organizational psychology at the same institution.

Before joining Graduation Alliance, Samantha Hill gained more than 11 years of managerial experience in customer service. Her passion for people has shaped her professional focus on team development and growth, grounded in her belief that collaboration drives success. At Graduation Alliance, she continues to foster a culture of support, communication, and shared achievement. Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending time with her family and pets. Together, they love being outdoors—spending summers on the lake and winters snowboarding.

Christa Hutchins began her career in education in 2007 as a teacher for The Institute of Reading Development, where she taught reading skills to students from pre-K through adults. She later taught high school language arts, advised student leadership organizations, and served on district committees focused on curriculum alignment. Driven by her passion for helping students find alternative paths to success, Christa has presented her research at state and national education conferences. She joined Graduation Alliance in 2021 as an Academic Coach and now serves as Director of Innovation. Christa holds a master’s degree in curriculum development and enjoys hiking, reading, writing, photography, and spending time with her two children.

Corista Johnson is the Director of Internal Review at Graduation Alliance, where she oversees internal review, audit, and compliance activities to ensure alignment with contractual, federal, and state requirements. She brings more than 20 years of experience in education and educational administration, including 10 years as a public-school educator and a decade in senior charter school administration, where she served as the State and Federal Grants Manager, overseeing grant compliance, financial accountability, and regulatory reporting. Corista holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Central Michigan University and is committed to ethical governance, operational excellence, and accountability in support of student success.

Kelly Jung provides management support and guidance to the English and world languages teachers at Graduation Alliance. She began her career with the organization in 2011 as a Local Advocate, working directly with students, and brings more than 15 years of experience in K–12 public education. Much of her career has focused on supporting at-risk youth and families through her work as a homeless and foster care liaison. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Fredonia State University and a Master of Arts in American Studies from the University at Buffalo. She also completed the secondary education English Language Arts teaching certification program at Western Washington University.

Brian Keim joined Graduation Alliance in early 2025 after a distinguished career as a Michigan school administrator, serving as a teacher, coach, counselor, principal, and superintendent. He is passionate about collaborating with school leaders and enjoys traveling across the state to meet with district partners. Brian and his wife, Lisa, have five children, three grandchildren, and a dog named Harley. Outside of work, he has spent the past 25 years performing with his classic rock band, The Flashbacks.

Cecilia Knaggs has been supporting Graduation Alliance’s teachers since 2018 and now serves as Principal of Graduation Alliance. She has worked in both traditional and online K–12 and higher education settings since 2011, bringing extensive experience in curriculum and instructional leadership. Cecilia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Arizona State University and a Master of Education in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix, where she also completed post-graduate work in secondary reading education. In 2024, she earned her Principal certification from Gonzaga University. Certified in Arizona, New Mexico, and Washington, Cecilia is dedicated to empowering educators and students to achieve excellence in learning.

Aubrey Lane has worked in the social services field for more than a decade. Before joining Graduation Alliance, she served as an ABA therapist supporting children on the autism spectrum. Since 2015, Aubrey has worked directly with students as a Local Advocate and Academic Coach, helping them overcome challenges and stay on track toward graduation. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and diversity from the University of Washington and a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seattle Pacific University. Aubrey is passionate about empowering students to realize their potential through education and support.

Lynnetta Lewis’ professional background bridges social work and education, reflecting her deep commitment to helping students overcome barriers and achieve success. She earned her master’s degree in adult education and has worked extensively with families experiencing homelessness and with foster youth—experiences that have strengthened her passion for supporting underserved populations. Since joining Graduation Alliance in 2012, Lynnetta has held several roles, including Senior Local Advocate, Teacher Mentor, and Assistant Principal, and now serves as Director of Teaching and Learning. She is dedicated to empowering educators and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive academically and personally.

Katie Limberakis joined Graduation Alliance in 2017, beginning her work with the enrollment teams for the charter school, adult, Attendance Recovery, and Dropout Recovery programs. She found great fulfillment in supporting students and families who might not otherwise have access to educational opportunities and now serves in a management role. Before joining Graduation Alliance, Katie spent more than a decade in customer service and retail, where she developed a strong focus on creating positive, meaningful experiences. Passionate about community impact, she also initiated and implemented Graduation Alliance’s recycling program to further the organization’s commitment to both people and the planet. Katie earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Utah.

Dr. Stacy Ludwig Smith is the Director of Assessments at Graduation Alliance, where she leads the design and implementation of strategies that promote student success and meet state accountability standards. With over 15 years of experience in curriculum design, instructional leadership, and educational evaluation, she is dedicated to equity and data-driven improvement in education. Dr. Ludwig Smith holds a Ph.D. in Educational Studies from Ball State University, an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, and dual bachelor’s degrees in Secondary Education and Biblical Studies.

Emily Marsh is the Vice President of Public Policy & Government Affairs at Graduation Alliance, where she directs and manages a multi-state advocacy agenda. She brings nearly 20 years of experience in government affairs, including serving as Vice President of Government Affairs at Scientific Games, a leading global provider of lottery games and solutions, and holding various roles in the public sector. Emily earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Auburn University and lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Courtney Matthews serves as Executive Director for RISE Online Academy at Graduation Alliance and brings 10+ years of experience in Customer Service and nearly 8 years of experience in Education. She began with the organization as an Academic Coach and eagerly embraced opportunities to grow into leadership. Passionate about helping others improve their lives, Courtney is dedicated to supporting students as they work toward achieving their goals. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human development and family science. In her free time, she enjoys kayaking, traveling, and taking walks with her dog.

Rachel McBane has spent the past decade working in the education field, serving in a variety of student support roles before moving into management. Her career began as a remedial math instructor, an experience that sparked her passion for understanding how people learn and for helping students overcome barriers to success. She is deeply committed to expanding educational opportunities for all learners, regardless of background or ability, and finds great fulfillment in supporting student achievement. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Arizona and a Master of Arts in Learning Sciences from Arizona State University.

Faris Meghani serves as Director of Data Analytics at Graduation Alliance and brings more than 17 years of experience in leveraging data to drive organizational success. He holds an M.B.A. from Louisiana State University and has developed deep expertise in optimizing operations and improving reporting efficiency. Faris provides actionable insights to both internal teams and external partners, empowering them to make informed, data-driven decisions. Passionate about innovation, he is dedicated to delivering meaningful analytics that help Graduation Alliance—and the students it serves—stay at the forefront of excellence and efficiency.

Jenna Mitchell serves as Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs at Graduation Alliance. She joined the organization in June 2025, bringing 12 years of legislative and public affairs experience in Illinois. Jenna began her career with the Illinois Senate Minority Caucus through the University of Illinois’ Legislative Staff Internship Program, later serving as lead budget analyst for education funding and becoming the caucus’ first female chief of staff in 2021. Her career highlights include advancing education policy and funding during challenging fiscal periods, notably through bipartisan efforts to resolve a two-year budget impasse and reform Illinois’ K–12 funding formula. Jenna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Eastern Illinois University and resides in Springfield, Illinois.

Jessica Moore is an experienced marketing professional with a strong passion for education. As part of the Graduation Alliance team, she works to increase awareness of the organization’s adult high school diploma programs across the country. Dedicated to connecting individuals with opportunities to improve their lives through education, Jessica is driven by a commitment to ensuring that every potential student knows about the resources available to help them achieve their goals. Her work reflects her deep belief in the mission of Graduation Alliance and the power of education to transform lives.

Syreena Mortimer serves as the Director of Curriculum Management at Graduation Alliance. She earned her Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, and holds a certificate in instructional design and project management for instructional designers. Before joining Graduation Alliance, Syreena spent much of her career at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in roles such as Electronic Resources Librarian and Digital Archives Manager. She briefly worked in corporate training before returning to her true passion—education. Since joining Graduation Alliance in 2018, she has advanced from Senior Instructional Designer to Instructional Design Project Manager and now oversees all course development projects. Syreena leads the course writers, instructional designers, and QA team to ensure that every course meets the highest standards of quality and innovation.

Rachel Patarozzi serves as the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at Graduation Alliance. She brings more than 20 years of experience in finance, including over 16 years as a financial leader in both higher education and K–12 institutions. Rachel holds a Master of Business Administration and has extensive expertise in budget development and administration, financial analysis and forecasting, project management, long-term strategic planning, accounting, and financial reporting. With a strong understanding of education finance and a proven record of achievement, Rachel provides data-driven insights and critical analysis to support strategic decision-making and ensure the continued success of Graduation Alliance.

Abby Perkins earned her degree from the College of Business at Ohio University in 2003 and began her career in education as a financial aid advisor. Over the past 18 years, she has held leadership roles including director of financial aid, director of career services, and program manager. In her current role, Abby partners with school districts to ensure programs run smoothly and students receive the support they need to succeed. She is passionate about helping every student reach their goals and is proud to be part of an organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities.

Michelle Schmitt brings more than 30 years of experience in the financial industry, including over a decade in public accounting with large regional and national firms. For the past 23 years, she has worked in the private sector, with more than 20 years dedicated to serving the education industry.

A graduate of the University of New Mexico with a BBA in Accounting, Michelle spent nearly 19 years at EdisonLearning, Inc., where she oversaw all financial operations and led major cost-saving initiatives and process improvements that strengthened the company’s position for success. Her work in education has spanned multiple states, including Florida, Colorado, California, Nevada, Hawaii, Georgia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Melissa Soria has worked in education for 18 years, building a diverse career that spans coaching, academic support, and leadership. She joined Graduation Alliance in 2017 and has served as an Academic Coach, College and Career Services Advisor, Student Services Manager, and now Director of Student Services for Higher Education Programs. Before joining Graduation Alliance, Melissa coached water polo at all levels and taught in both college and high school settings. She earned her bachelor’s degree in general studies from Indiana University, where she also played water polo, and a master’s degree in teaching from National University with a specialization in teaching and learning in a global society. Melissa is passionate about helping students reach their goals and thrive in higher education.

Kristian Starner Joseph serves as Vice President of Government Relations at Graduation Alliance, bringing extensive experience in public policy, government strategy, and advocacy. Before joining Graduation Alliance, she was a Senior Government Strategist for the state and local government team at Cerner Corporation, where she focused on Medicaid MMIS modernization, population health programs, and health IT initiatives within state agencies. She also collaborated with city and county governments in Missouri to help fund a COVID-19 mass vaccination site. Earlier in her career, Kristian worked as a contract lobbyist representing clients in education, healthcare, and other industries. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Associated Industries of Missouri and is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University. Kristian resides in Kansas.

Tyler Stauffer is a seasoned professional with more than a decade of experience in technology and product management. His expertise lies in leveraging emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence and data analytics—to create innovative, transformative solutions for businesses. Having faced barriers in his own educational journey, Tyler was drawn to Graduation Alliance’s mission and is passionate about helping remove those barriers for others. When he’s not exploring new advancements in technology, he enjoys traveling with his family and supporting independent game developers.

Carolyn Taylor is passionate about collaborating with partners to improve outcomes for students. From an early age, she learned that education has the power to transform lives. As Vice President of Program Development for Ohio and Michigan, she leads initiatives that serve both youth and adult learners. With more than 15 years of experience in education, Carolyn has held leadership positions at Hobsons, ConnectEDU, and InsideTrack. A creative at heart, she has also developed and licensed products for the toy industry, working with companies such as Disney, Warner Brothers, and Hasbro. Carolyn earned both her B.S.B.A. and M.B.A. from Xavier University.

JC Tenney has been an integral part of Graduation Alliance since joining the team full-time in 2008. He currently manages the IT department in support of the millions of students and school administrators who use our systems. JC oversees the development of the company’s student information system, which is used to ensure students are able to be successful in the program. JC also has direct management and oversight of Graduation Alliance’s exploration and planning platforms, its customized learning management system, and its student data warehouse.

Prior to joining the team, JC was a freelance developer working on several small projects in the medical education and search engine optimization spaces. He is passionate about exploring new, cutting-edge technologies and applying those technologies to help change student lives. JC graduated with honors from the University of Utah with a degree in computer science.

Lydia Todd is a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of leadership in academic operations, public policy, and regulatory compliance within K-12 education systems. She has guided large-scale organizations through strategic transformation, fiscal recovery, accreditation and governance initiatives, ensuring full alignment with state and federal standards. Lydia’s experience spans cross-functional oversight of operational infrastructure, stakeholder engagement across boards and government agencies, and program implementation that strengthens institutional accountability and elevates student outcomes. Her thoughtful leadership is defined by a steadfast commitment to equitable, compliant, and student-centered educational systems.

Shannon Van Lente believes that understanding a student’s personal journey is the first step toward their academic success. In her role as New Schools Principal for Achieve Detroit Academy and various ESA programs, she leverages her deep background in social work to lead with empathy and purpose. Shannon spent over a decade working with high-need students across Chicago and the North Shore at organizations like Polaris Charter Academy and CPS before joining the Graduation Alliance leadership team two years ago. She is highly credentialed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with master’s degrees in both Social Work and School Administration. Shannon lives in Chicago with her husband and two children, where she is an active member of her neighborhood community. In her free time, she enjoys puzzling, running, and enjoying local theater productions with her family.

Nate Villegas graduated from the University of Utah’s College of Health in 2018 and has spent the past six years working in education. He began his career with a local Utah school district, supporting at-risk youth in progressing toward graduation, and has spent the last two years with Graduation Alliance in a variety of roles. Nate is passionate about helping students overcome barriers and reach their full potential. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, spending time outdoors, and being with his family.

Joanna Alcala is a marketing, creative, and communications strategist with more than 20 years of experience leading integrated brand, digital, and go-to-market initiatives across education and mission-driven organizations. She specializes in translating strategy into execution—bringing together data, storytelling, technology, and creative to drive meaningful results. Joanna is known for building engaging content, results-driven marketing programs, and collaborative solutions that solve complex challenges and move organizations forward.

Prior to joining Graduation Alliance, Joanna spent the majority of her career marketing higher education degree programs at EmbanetCompass (Pearson Embanet) and the Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business. Throughout her career, she has led full-service creative and marketing teams spanning technology, UX, design, and content, aligning cross-functional partners around shared goals and measurable outcomes.

At the heart of Joanna’s work is a passion for helping students thrive. She is deeply motivated by connecting learners and partners to solutions that expand access, opportunity, and long-term success.

Joanna earned her degree in Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Central Florida.

Charity Carney has more than 20 years of experience in leadership across multiple industries, with a specialty in technology management over the last 15 years. Charity has a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in management and has earned multiple credentials including Project Management Professional, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, and Certified Security Awareness Practitioner.

Charity’s role as vice president of product engineering is to lead Graduation Alliance’s software and data engineering teams in creating technology platforms and functions that support the delivery of our educational programs to students.

Chad Craycraft joined Graduation Alliance in 2018 and currently serves as the President of Achieve Learning. In this role, Chad leads the company’s efforts to expand access to alternative pathways to high school graduation through schools and academies managed in partnership with public school districts and local communities.   Prior to joining Graduation Alliance, Chad spent eight years in the higher education technology sector furthering a similar mission of expanding access to low-cost, high-demand, degree pathways.  Chad believes strongly in public services and currently serves as a Commissioner for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission after spending seven years as a Commissioner on The Texas Ethics Commission including two terms as Chairman. 

Andy Cusimano has primary responsibility for Graduation Alliance’s program delivery and operations. Prior to joining Graduation Alliance in 2010, he spent two decades understanding, delivering and consistently improving customer experiences in a variety of sectors. As a marketer, project manager and systems creator, Andy’s expertise has been an integral part of the success of companies that have appeared on Inc. Magazine’s fastest growing company rankings and have been honored with PSMJ’s Circle of Excellence award for best managed companies.

Prior to joining Graduation Alliance, Andy was chief operations officer of Jack Johnson Company, a multidisciplinary professional services firm in Park City, Utah. Additionally, Andy was the founder and president of Mountain Eye Creative, a marketing and graphic design firm catering to the professional services industry. Andy received his M.B.A. from the University of Utah and a Bachelor of Civil and Environmental Engineering from Vanderbilt University.

Ryan Imbriale has spent his leadership career in education focused on how pioneering practices can empower student learning. He is a former member of the Board of Directors for the International Society for Technology in Education. In 2008, Ryan was named one of its “20 to Watch” educators by the National School Boards Association and in 2009 was awarded the Making IT Happen award, honoring educational technology leaders around the world for their commitment and innovation. Tech & Learning magazine named Ryan one of the future leaders in its 100@30 in 2010 as part of the magazine’s 30th anniversary celebration. In 2012 he was named a Phi Delta Kappa Emerging Leader and in 2013 the National Association of Secondary School Principals named him a National Digital Principal of the Year. Ryan was honored by Intel® in 2015 as an Education Visionary, an elite group of approximately 40 education leaders from all over the world who are exemplars for global education transformation.

He was the Group Vice President and Head of Worldwide Education for PowerSchool until he joined Graduation Alliance in 2025. Prior to joining PowerSchool, he was Executive Director of Innovative Learning for the Baltimore County Public Schools and was responsible for leading the system’s work on personalized learning, student choice programming, and comprehensive educational programs designed to address a diverse student population. Ryan has been in the field of education for more than 30 years as a teacher, high school principal, higher education administrator, and corporate executive.

Dr. Todd Keruskin currently serves as the chief revenue officer for Graduation Alliance. He joined the company in mid-2024 as the chief experience officer (CXO) and superintendent in residence. Prior to Graduation Alliance, he was the vice president of customer experience at McGraw Hill, where he also held the position of VP of professional learning services. Dr. Keruskin’s career is marked by a significant five-year period as the superintendent and nine-years as the assistant superintendent of Elizabeth Forward School District in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. Under his leadership, the district earned recognition as a member of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, an AASA Lighthouse School District, and all schools in the district were honored by Apple, Inc. as Apple Distinguished Schools.

His influence extends beyond local achievements, as he has worked with the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools and the White House to scale the maker movement and K-12 computer science in schools across the nation and contributed to the U.S. Department of Education’s 10-year STEM plan for schools nationwide. Dr. Keruskin’s dedication to advancing education has made a lasting impact at both the local and national levels.

Joanie Krein has been in workforce development for more than 20 years. Working at Graduation Alliance combines two passions — people and education. Prior to Graduation Alliance, she was the vice president-market manager for Manpower. She also has 13 years of experience in operations as a regional vice president for Delta Career Education Corporation.

Joanie holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of Dayton. She also holds the SHRM Senior Certified Professional certification from the Society of Human Resource Management.

Erin Luper is the chief of public policy and government relations for Graduation Alliance. Erin has an extensive background in navigating controversial and complex policy agendas as well as a wide range of experience in the public sector. Erin has a doctorate in public policy and public administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. She received her master’s degree in public administration and her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Tennessee. Erin taught in the graduate program at Virginia Commonwealth University and was born and raised in Virginia. She currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.

Dr. Deborah O’Brien is the Chief Academic Officer at Graduation Alliance, where she has served in various leadership roles since 2011. A veteran educator and systems-level leader, Deborah brings deep experience as a principal across brick-and-mortar, online, and blended learning environments. Her administrative career has spanned elementary, middle, and high school settings, with a particular focus on serving students historically marginalized by traditional systems.

In her role at Graduation Alliance, Deborah leads instructional and support teams that serve students who are disengaged, displaced, or unable to thrive in conventional school contexts. A critical scholar, she interrogates intervention systems for deficit-based assumptions and works to reimagine dropout recovery through equity-centered, student-responsive design. Her scholarship and leadership alike are grounded in a commitment to dismantling systemic barriers and expanding pathways to educational attainment.

Deborah holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Central Washington University, a master’s in educational administration from Eastern Washington University, and a doctor of education degree in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Her work in higher education includes assistant professor at Gonzaga University, where she teaches graduate students in the School of Education. She is certified by the state of Washington and Ohio as a K–12 school principal.

With more than 20 years of experience in the education industry, Will Poulson’s responsibilities at Graduation Alliance include the direct management and oversight of many of the student-facing operations including enrollment, retention, and curriculum.

Prior to joining Graduation Alliance in 2015, Will oversaw one of the largest third-party healthcare enrollment service providers at Academic Partnerships in the United States. Will’s expertise includes building high-performing teams, developing a structured approach to recruiting, identifying and consulting on key operational areas, and using respect and integrity to develop a winning culture.

Will received his M.B.A. from Louisiana State University, Shreveport.

For Rebekah Richards, the mission to ensure every individual has the opportunity to complete high school is deeply personal. As a former high school dropout, she possesses a unique understanding of the challenges that lead students to leave school and, more importantly, how personalized, supportive educational models can profoundly change the trajectory of a person’s life.

As a co-founder of Graduation Alliance and now its Chief Innovation Officer, Rebekah channels that personal experience into building for the future of Graduation Alliance. She leads the organization’s charge to innovate at scale, focusing on technologies like AI and data analytics to create truly personalized learning pathways. Her vision is to ensure every student has access to the precise support they need to overcome barriers and succeed.

This forward-thinking approach is grounded in a history of creating transformative solutions. Rebekah has architected Graduation Alliance’s core programs, including the Dropout Recovery and Workforce Diploma programs. Most recently, in 2020, Rebekah pioneered the Attendance Recovery program, a groundbreaking initiative to combat chronic absenteeism, a program that provided critical coaching and support to more than 175,000 students nationwide in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rebekah is a nationally recognized expert on dropout recovery and prevention and the effective use of online learning for at-risk students. Her expertise has been instrumental in shaping public policy to give school districts greater flexibility to serve opportunity youth. She sees Graduation Alliance as a modern “Archimedes’ screw”—a powerful lever capable of creating meaningful, scalable impact for individuals and communities.

Rebekah received a B.A. in Classics from Brigham Young University, an M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology from Utah State University, an M.A. in Classical Philology from the University of Colorado-Boulder, and a certificate in School Administration from Drexel University.

Gregg Rosann is a co-founder of Graduation Alliance. As CIO, he is responsible for all aspects of software engineering, IT, and information security — the systems and platforms that deliver education and support to our students and education partners. With more than 35 years of technology experience in a wide range of industries, Gregg held executive positions at Tomax Corporation (acquired by Salesforce) and American Management Systems (acquired by CGI) prior to co-founding Graduation Alliance. Gregg received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut and his M.S. in Science Instrumentation from the University of Utah. He is also an Associate Instructor at the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah and is a Board Member at Phinma Education in the Philippines. Outside of work, Gregg can be found skiing, biking, golfing, and hiking in the Utah mountains.

Widely regarded as an education futurist, Dr. Shawn Smith is an educator, former school system leader, author, and nationally recognized keynote speaker with deep expertise in guiding school systems through innovation and change. His career has been defined by helping districts successfully navigate new and emerging learning models—particularly in virtual and hybrid environments.

Prior to joining Graduation Alliance, Dr. Smith served as Chief Innovation Officer at McGraw Hill, where he led national efforts focused on digital learning, instructional design, and next-generation pedagogy. He previously held the role of Chief of Schools in the nation’s third-largest school district and spent more than 15 years in public education serving school communities across Illinois and California.

Dr. Smith is the author of four books on education, with a body of work that focuses on instructional design for virtual and hybrid learning environments as well as leadership strategies for driving systemic change in a digital world. He is also the co-founder and former CEO of Modern Teacher, a role he held for nine years, where he worked directly with districts to design and scale innovative learning models.

His thought leadership has been featured on the Discovery Channel and the Learning Channel, along with numerous radio, web, and podcast platforms. Dr. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Carthage College, a master’s degree in Middle School Education from California State University, San Bernardino, and a doctorate in Urban Education Policy and Leadership from the University of Southern California.

JC Tenney has been an integral part of Graduation Alliance since joining the team full-time in 2008. He currently manages the IT department in support of the millions of students and school administrators who use our systems. JC oversees the development of the company’s student information system, which is used to ensure students are able to be successful in the program. JC also has direct management and oversight of Graduation Alliance’s exploration and planning platforms, its customized learning management system, and its student data warehouse.

Prior to joining the team, JC was a freelance developer working on several small projects in the medical education and search engine optimization spaces. He is passionate about exploring new, cutting-edge technologies and applying those technologies to help change student lives. JC graduated with honors from the University of Utah with a degree in computer science.

Dr. Robin Wise serves as Chief of Policy, Research, and Compliance at Graduation Alliance. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership, with a minor in Educational Law, from Indiana University in 2020. Dr. Wise also holds both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in special education, as well as superintendent and director of exceptional children licenses in Indiana. With 27 years of experience in education across traditional, charter, private, and virtual settings, she began her career as a special education teacher and later served as a district special programs director. For more than 14 years, Dr. Wise has been a leader in the edtech community, dedicated to improving outcomes for at-risk and underserved student populations.

Bonnie Boswell is an award-winning producer/reporter, talk show host, and speaker. Bonnie is currently the executive producer/reporter of Bonnie Boswell Reports and Bonnie Boswell Presents, feature news programs broadcasting and streaming on PBS SoCal and PBS.org. Bonnie also currently sits on the boards of REDF, Lightcast, and Graduation Alliance and is a past board member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. She is a graduate of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

At SVP Strategic Investments, Jessica evaluates potential mission-aligned investments and oversees Strada’s portfolio of mission-aligned investments and funds. Previously, she led Product Strategy and Innovation, working with Strada Collaborative organizations to identify and create new products. Before Strada, she held a variety of roles at Laureate Education, including chief product officer for Walden University and co-founder of an innovation group that incubated new business models to address the needs of working adult learners. Jessica started her career in investment banking at Morgan Stanley and also spent time building the yoga teacher training business at Yogaworks. She holds a B.A. from Brown University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Ron Klausner joined Graduation Alliance having held a series of executive positions within the education market and following three decades of leadership experience inside the business solutions sector. He served as CEO of Graduation Alliance from 2015–25 and is now the board executive chairman.

From 2013-15 Ron served as interim COO at Academic Partnerships following an active, five-year history as a member of the board. Earlier, he led Cambium Learning Group, a K-12 curriculum and services company, as CEO following the firm’s acquisition of Voyager Expanded Learning (where he had been president since 2005). Prior to Voyager, Ron served as president of ProQuest Information and Learning Company.

Ron came to the education market following a successful 27-year career with Dun & Bradstreet, a global business information and technology solutions provider, where he served as senior vice president of U.S. sales and led a segment with more than $900 million in annual revenues. Even earlier at D&B, Ron led global data, operations, and customer service in approximately 200 countries and had been CFO and president of Asia Pacific/Latin America.

Ron earned his M.B.A. with a concentration in accounting from New York University. He is the recipient of numerous industry awards, including the President’s Award from the National Alliance of Black School Educators and the Southwest Entrepreneur of the Year from Ernst & Young.

Lisa Nutter is a principal at Sidecar Social Finance, a social impact agency that provides impact investing advisory and capital services to individuals, institutions, and social enterprises. Her diverse professional background includes work in the fields of education, workforce development, community organizing, human services, community development, and arts and culture. She is trained as an urban planner and her decades of experience nationally as a practitioner, researcher, impact evaluator and strategist have significantly shaped her work and belief in multidimensional approaches to community building and economic well-being. In addition, she has worked throughout her career on efforts that strengthen non-profit organizations focused on social change – initiatives designed to improve planning, organizational learning and reflection, as well as research and data utilization in order to deepen impact and effect systems change. These interests and experiences are reflected in her focus on social impact and financing effective social change efforts in ways that bring them successfully to scale.

She is presently co-leading the Partnership for Social and Economic Mobility and the Social Mobility Impact Fund – work that is being incubated at the University of Pennsylvania – and she is a Senior Fellow for Rural Investment at the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation which is based in Arkansas. She has a B.S. in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University and an M.A. in City and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

As president and CIIO of Blue Meridian Partners, Jim Shelton oversees the organization’s day-to-day operations and leads its efforts to continuously increase the impact, reach, and influence of our investees and investments. Previously, Jim served as the deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Education and was the founding executive director of My Brother’s Keeper. Subsequently, he was president and chief impact officer at 2U, Inc. partnering with colleges and universities to increase access to and affordability of top degree programs. He later served as the founding president of education for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Immediately before joining Blue Meridian, Jim founded Amandla Enterprises, an impact investment and advisory firm. Jim is currently a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institute and senior social impact Advisor to KKR and serves on the boards of several nonprofit and for-profit impact-focused organizations. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Morehouse College as well as master’s degrees in both business administration and education from Stanford University.