Meet the Rize Team

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.

Princeton University

Charlotte, NC

The Brookings Institution, Saffron Ventures, The Speaker Lab

James is passionate about working at Rize because he is excited to help the team add value to partners through smart, targeted marketing experiments. Outside of work, he enjoys languages (improving his Mandarin and trying to pick up Nepali), playing and watching sports, and reading.

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.

Cornell University

New York City, NY

NYC Department of Education, iAM Learning, and Sponsors for Educational Opportunity

Judy is passionate about helping students reach their potential through the intersection of learning design and digital technology. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, journaling, listening to music, and trying new things she is likely to be amusingly bad at—most recently, martial arts.

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.

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.

Havard University

New York, NY

NYC Department of Education

Laura's passion for working at Rize is fueled by her love for collaborating with a brilliant and creative team, dedicated to designing courses that pave the way for students to achieve success post-graduation. Outside of the professional realm, Laura engages in a diverse array of interests, including playing music, attending concerts, gaming, and exploring museums during her leisure time.

Indiana University

Lincolnshire, IL

Pathrise

Maggie’s all-in for her role at Rize, thanks to her M.S.Ed and her firm belief in educating the whole student and giving them the tools to thrive in life after graduation. Outside of work, Maggie loves spending time with her husband, son, and their lovable misfit squad of animals. When she’s not chasing them around, she’s likely at her CrossFit gym, and is always on the hunt for her next allergy-friendly foodie adventure.