Meet the Rize Team

Harvard University; University of London

Bedford, United Kingdom

Decoded

Gregory's passion for his role at Rize is driven by the organization's commitment to making the positive aspects found in many colleges accessible to everyone. Beyond the professional sphere, Gregory finds enjoyment in a combination of endurance sports such as cycling, rowing, and running, as well as engaging in creative pursuits like painting, pottery, sewing.

William & Mary; UVA Darden School of Business

Westport, CT

EAB, Public Consulting Group

Hannah is passionate about working at Rize because she believes in the importance of reshaping higher education to meet the evolving needs of today’s students. She is excited to be part of the innovative changes that Rize brings to campuses. Outside of work, Hannah enjoys traveling to new places, expressing her creativity through pottery, and spending time outdoors.

Harvard University

San Mateo, CA

PeakSpan Capital

Jackson's passion for working at Rize centers on modernizing learning environments, leveling the higher education playing field, and enhancing career outcomes for students. Outside of work, he relishes exploring San Francisco for top-notch lattes, burritos, and live music, all while maintaining an active lifestyle through swimming, lifting, and spending time outdoors.

Cornell University; University of California - Berkeley

Marlboro, NJ

Walmart, Tiffany & Co., The Trade Desk

Jason’s passion for working at Rize comes from the opportunity to combine his love for building meaningful brands with a mission that gives every student the chance to unlock a better life through education. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring NYC’s neighborhoods, traveling, tackling never-ending renovations at his 160-year-old farmhouse upstate, and spending time with his partner and dog, Cooper.

Brown University

Chicago, IL

Venmo; The Wall Street Journal

Jimmy's passion for working at Rize is deeply rooted in his personal journey as a first-generation college graduate, driving his commitment to providing students with access to education focused on career-readiness. Outside of work, Jimmy finds fulfillment in coaching wrestling, engaging in running activities, and exploring the diverse coffee shops in Chicago.

George Washington University

Dayton, OH

3M; NASA; Legendary Entertainment; Unilever; National Geographic; Pixar; General Mills

Joel’s passion for working with Rize comes from his love of small towns - including the one in Ohio he calls home. He believes in the power of small colleges as economic and intellectual engines in them. Outside of work, Joel loves eating bread, traveling, eating bread while traveling and playing pickleball with his kids. He was also the first person on Earth to make a living winning online video contests and has won all-expense paid trips to all 7 continents.

Marquette University, University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, MI

University of Detroit Mercy, Pathrise

Kal is excited about working at Rize because it gives him the opportunity to contribute to meaningful change in higher education, advocate for strong student outcomes, and collaborate with a passionate, mission-driven team. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys spending quality time with his family, playing cards with friends, traveling—mostly around the Midwest—and indulging his love for college basketball.

Brown University

McLean, VA + New Delhi, India

Teach for India, Bain & Company

Kamna is excited about working at Rize because it allows her to strengthen the link between market-responsive, career-connected learning and the transformative impact of a residential college experience—all while working alongside a fantastic team. Outside of work, she enjoys connected fitness (Tonal, Peloton), reading and reviewing books, hosting friends, trying new recipes, traveling with her husband, and exploring local cafes in search of the perfect coffee and croissant.

Minerva University

Johannesburg, South Africa

New York University, Future of Higher Education

Kate is passionate about working at Rize because she believes everyone should have access to exceptional learning design and courses that inspire them to turn their aspirations into work they love. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the city, sharing food with friends, and diving into new hobbies—most recently, boxing and baking.

University of Central Florida

Melbourne, FL

University of Central Florida, Loyola University of Chicago, Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL)

As the first in her family to graduate from college, Kathleen is inspired by Rize’s mission to expand access to quality education and loves contributing to partnerships that help students reach their full potential. Outside of work, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes, reading good books, soaking up the Florida sun with her husband and family, and doting on her two very lovable pugs.

Harvard University

Rochester, NY

Blackstone

Kevin co-founded Rize Education in 2019. After working on Wall Street for The Blackstone Group, Kevin moved to rural Michigan, along with Rize’s other co-founders, to learn first hand about the challenges facing higher education at Adrian College. His deep passion for expanding access to education and economic mobility is core to everything we do at Rize.

Columbia University

Houston, Texas

Orkes, Fingerprint, impact.com

Kevin is passionate about working at Rize because he believes students should not have to choose between a rich residential college experience and earning a degree that equips them with essential career skills. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, skiing, listening to podcasts while walking around NYC, and spending summers with family and friends in Cape Cod.