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Discover the passion behind PATHWAYOS
Unlocking work-based learning opportunities for all
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
MEET THE TEAM
Cecilia Retelle Zywicki
Cecilia is a seasoned EdTech leader, strategic planner, facilitator, and operational executive—her expertise includes building culture, empowering team members, and establishing clear expectations while scaling businesses. She joined PATHWAYos in January 2023 to lead the company through its next era of growth. Prior to joining, she co-founded the software company Ranku in 2013, which was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in 2016. She went on to be the COO at PresenceLearning, positioning them to triple revenue in less than two years. In addition to her role at PATHWAYos, she’s a Venture Partner at Hannah Grey and mentor for Techstars Workforce Development program. Cecilia has spent her career focused on upskilling the workforce through educational experiences after receiving her Juris Doctor from the University of Denver and Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education from the University of Minnesota (where she played ice hockey, twice appearing in the Frozen Four). She holds an active law license and inactive K-8 teaching license, with specialties in science and special education.
Jimmy McDermott
Jimmy is an experienced technology leader and startup founder. As the co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of PATHWAYos, he helps create systems and processes for development and integration and leads a team of powerful developers to build world-class technology. Jimmy serves as a member of Apple's Server Side Work Group where he helps steer community initiatives related to Swift, and was recognized for his work on the 2022 Forbes 30 under 30 list. Because of his exposure to innovative work-based learning and CTE curriculum as a student, Jimmy is deeply passionate about scaling similar opportunities for students across the country.
Joe Diaz
Joe brings over a decade of experience in education technology customer success from roles around the country. His passion lies in encouraging students to reach their fullest potential. Post-secondary life comes with many challenges—and the better we prepare our students for the real world, the better the world will be. From state to state and coast to coast, Joe has supported some of the most innovative school districts in the nation bringing cutting edge digital tools to educators and students.
Kelly Wolfe
Kelly is an accomplished external and government affairs leader with a proven track record of building strong coalitions and collaborating with stakeholders to advance policy goals and partnerships that improve systems for kids. She has experience advising on political and thought leadership strategy as well as influencing government policy through public affairs and advocacy campaigns. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) and her Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Minnesota. In 2018, she was selected as a Presidential Leadership Scholar. Her journey as a children’s advocate started when she was an elementary school grade teacher in rural Louisiana.
Ross Porter
Ross is a trusted sales partner with a passion for creating positive outcomes for students and staff alike. In his role, Ross acts as a liaison between school needs and PATHWAYos software solutions. His goal is to support staff, encourage students’ traditional and nontraditional career goals, and equip schools with the most comprehensive data available to ensure ongoing success.
Audrey Cruz
Audrey is an accomplished consultant, strategist, and project manager with over a decade of experience cultivating high-performing teams, improving business processes, and leading through change. She enjoys translating complex ideas into actionable pieces and working collaboratively to solve tough problems. For the first eleven years of her career, Audrey worked at the intersection of education and workforce development in award winning nonprofits and some of the most challenging schools in Washington, DC. She believes deeply in the ability of PATHWAYos to transform schools and communities, and knows firsthand that system infrastructure is critical to real change.
Bob Peacock
Bob is passionate about technology that makes a difference. He knows that the right application of innovation, ingenuity, and team coaching is the recipe for great customer solutions. With nearly 30 years of public-facing technology experience across large and small solution providers, Bob is a seasoned technologist. Before joining PATHWAYos, Bob served as a lead architect at System Innovations/Financial Data Planning Corp, director of technology at SunGard Insurance Systems, vice president of implementation at leading fintech solution provider Insurance Technologies, vice president of application development with Flatiron Capital/Wells Fargo Bank, NA, and CTO of Spyder, Inc. When not rolling up his sleeves and building solutions, Bob loves traveling the world and exploring the mountains of Colorado where he lives.
Aaron Mends
Aaron is a former college athlete who is passionate about academics and alternative learning opportunities for students. As Aaron has grown in his career, he is increasingly focused on helping students acquire the skills and self-confidence needed to achieve excellence. Here at PATHWAYos, Aaron leverages his experience as a former substitute teacher to help school districts by providing them with tools and insights to ensure that students needs are met in post-secondary success.
Kara Pontius
Kara is excited to share her experiences as Career Readiness Coordinator with the PATHWAYos team and assist school districts in streamlining their work-based learning processes. Kara entered EdTech as a Career Services Specialist, where she helped provide career exploration and planning services to roughly 20,000 K-12 students. Kara transitioned to support Eastland-Fairfield staff and students with their work-based learning measures in 2020. She was instrumental in converting the district's program from paper processes to a new digital tracking and management system, and was responsible for providing professional development to staff, students, and business partners regarding the new WBL compliance measures in the state of Ohio. Kara's passion for students and business helped bridge the gap between classroom instruction and industry needs to build student skills and a pipeline for the next generation workforce.
Steve Biondi
With over 7 years of experience in the EdTech space, Steve is an expert at knowing what products improve the lives of students, teachers, administrators, and parents.
Jessica Ozuna
With over 17 years of experience in education, Jessica brings a wealth of knowledge to the PATHWAYos team. Jessica has worked as a classroom teacher, administrator, and CTE director in districts of varying sizes throughout Texas. Her expertise includes creating aligned curricula for CTE programs and providing students with opportunities to earn professional certifications. Jessica strongly believes in the power of real-world learning experiences to prepare students for a successful future. Her passion for supporting educators in providing quality learning experiences for students makes her an invaluable asset to PATHWAYos customers.
Lauren Armack
Lauren believes quality and thoughtful training empowers people, gives them confidence, and helps them excel with the products they are using. She is proud that PATHWAYos allows educators and students to take control of their post-secondary opportunities to instill those same feelings of empowerment.
Casey Wyatt
With years of technical implementation under her belt, Casey designs and develops training content to achieve customers’ learning and skill-acquisition goals. Paired with her academic experience in anthropology, Casey is committed to using natural human behavior to influence training and technology.
Kelly Zura
With many years of experience working as a SIS administrator within public education, Kelly now helps customers to implement PATHWAYos into their district’s SIS. She is passionate about education and helping students prepare find their own path.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Emily Foote
Emily is a Partner at Osage Venture Partners, an early-stage venture firm investing in entrepreneurs who are building the next generation of business-to-business software solutions focused on the future of work, education, and care.
Stephen Smith
Stephen M. Smith is the CEO and co-founder of Intellispark and is an author, investor, advisor, and board member. He currently serves on the boards of Common App, PATHWAYos, and iDreamCareer; chairs the product advisory council for Edmentum; is a member of the Johnson Advisory Council at the Cornell University SC Johnson College of Business; and is an advisor for Roadtrip Nation.
Sean Dowling
Cecilia Retelle Zywicki
Cecilia is a seasoned EdTech leader, strategic planner, facilitator, and operational executive—her expertise includes building culture, empowering team members, and establishing clear expectations while scaling businesses. She joined PATHWAYos in January 2023 to lead the company through its next era of growth. Prior to joining, she co-founded the software company Ranku in 2013, which was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in 2016. She went on to be the COO at PresenceLearning, positioning them to triple revenue in less than two years. In addition to her role at PATHWAYos, she’s a Venture Partner at Hannah Grey and mentor for Techstars Workforce Development program. Cecilia has spent her career focused on upskilling the workforce through educational experiences after receiving her Juris Doctor from the University of Denver and Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education from the University of Minnesota (where she played ice hockey, twice appearing in the Frozen Four). She holds an active law license and inactive K-8 teaching license, with specialties in science and special education.
Jimmy McDermott
Jimmy is an experienced technology leader and startup founder. As the co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of PATHWAYos, he helps create systems and processes for development and integration and leads a team of powerful developers to build world-class technology. Jimmy serves as a member of Apple's Server Side Work Group where he helps steer community initiatives related to Swift, and was recognized for his work on the 2022 Forbes 30 under 30 list. Because of his exposure to innovative work-based learning and CTE curriculum as a student, Jimmy is deeply passionate about scaling similar opportunities for students across the country.
