Capital Class

In this episode of Capital Class, Strategos Partner Adam Giery sits down with Julia Rafal-Baer, CEO and Co-Founder of ILO Group, for a grounded conversation about leadership, systems change, and the future of education in an era defined by complexity. Drawing on two decades of experience spanning the classroom, state government, philanthropy, and national policy, Julia offers a rare, inside look a...

This episode of Capital Class features Jacob Kantor, founder of JK K12, known across the industry as the “District Office Door Opener” (DODO). In a crowded, AI-saturated K-12 landscape, Jacob has built a business around one of the hardest problems in education: access. Adam and Jacob unpack the reality that great products alone don’t win in education. Trust, timing, and alignment with real distric...

In this episode of Capital Class, Adam Giery sits down with Chris Hull, President and Co-Founder of Otus, to explore how one of education’s biggest challenges—data fragmentation—sparked the creation of a platform built to help teachers truly see and support the whole student. Chris brings a rare dual perspective as both a former middle school teacher and now a founder scaling a growing EdTech comp...

In this episode of Capital Class, Adam Giery sits down with Michael Narea, co-founder and CEO of Transcend Network, to explore what it really takes to build, lead, and evolve in today’s rapidly shifting founder landscape. This conversation goes beyond startup tactics and into the mindset, identity, and responsibility of modern entrepreneurs. Michael begins by unpacking a hard truth: leadership is...

Strategos Group Managing Partner Aam Giery sits down with Antonio Pietri, CEO of PowerSchool for a conversation about what happens when a legacy industry meets a new era of platforms, data, and AI-enabled acceleration. Pietri comes to K–12 not from the classroom, but from decades of leading large-scale SaaS and industrial automation software including an 11+ year run as CEO of Aspen Technology. Af...

In this episode of Capital Class , host and Strategos Partner Adam Giery welcomes Bharani Rajakumar, founder and CEO of Transfr, for a conversation about reimagining the bridge between education and employment. Bharani’s story begins with a deeply personal mission. Raised in a family of four living on $35,000 a year, he saw how limited access to resources can close doors for many young people. Aft...

In this episode of Capital Class, Strategos Partner Adam Giery sits down with Hunter Moore, Founder and CEO of Plasma Games, to explore a bold idea with real classroom stakes: video games aren’t a distraction from learning they are learning when designed with intention. Moore, an engineer by training, shares how his career across Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, Sandia National Labs, and IBM revealed...

In this Capital Class episode, Strategos Partner and host Adam Giery sits down with Sara Mauskopf, co-founder and CEO of Winnie, the national platform millions of parents use to discover and evaluate licensed child care. A mom of three and a vocal advocate for high-quality early education, Sara traces Winnie’s “messy first draft” from a local activity finder to a nationwide, two-sided marketplace...

In this episode of Capital Class , host Adam Giery sits down with Geordie Hyland, President and CEO of American College of Education (ACE), for a timely and thought-provoking conversation recorded live at ASU+GSV 2025. With higher education at a pivotal crossroads—confronting rising tuition, student debt, and questions of long-term value—Hyland shares how ACE is rewriting the playbook. Under Hylan...

In this episode of Capital Class , host Adam Giery sits down with Jess Gartner, founder of Allovue and current Vice President at PowerSchool, for an unfiltered conversation on the intersection of education, finance, and entrepreneurship. Jess shares her remarkable journey from classroom teacher to edtech trailblazer, driven by a relentless curiosity about one fundamental question: how are school r...

In this episode of Capital Class , recorded live at ASU+GSV 2025, host Adam Giery sits down with Chris Curran, the Founder and CEO of Tyton Partners. A towering figure in education banking and consulting, Curran shares insights from a 25-year journey that spans public policy, entrepreneurship, and over $20 billion in transaction volume across global education markets. Giery and Curran dive into to...

In this episode of Capital Class, host Adam Giery sits down with Jeff Cohen, CEO of FullBloom, a leading provider of special education, instructional intervention, and behavioral health solutions. With a wealth of experience in both education and private equity, Jeff Cohen shares insights into the evolving needs of students requiring special accommodations and the crucial role of public-private pa...

In this episode of Capital Class, host Adam Giery sits down with special guest Tom Reycraft, CEO of Benchmark Education, to explore his incredible 25-year journey in the education industry, from starting a business in his basement to navigating industry shifts and technological advancements. They discuss the evolving landscape of educational materials, the impact of AI, and the importance of resea...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of education and the challenges faced by educators. Our guest, Peter Yorke, is a dedicated middle school educator specializing in special education at Manor Middle School, Texas. He shares his journey from his roots in Ghana to making a remarkable impact in the United States education system.  We explore the educational challenges Peter Yorke overc...

In today's episode, Dr. Bridget Hamre, co-founder and CEO of Teachstone joins Adam Giery to discuss early childhood education and the role AI plays in personalized learning. Bridget shares her inspiring journey from academia to building a successful education enterprise. She emphasizes the importance of quality interactions in early education, the economic benefits of investing in young learners,...

I'm your host, Adam Giery, and today we have a very special guest joining us on the show. Dr. Dave Dimmett, the CEO of Project Lead the Way, will be sharing his insights and expertise on the growing demand for STEM programs in education, and how they are shaping the future of learning. Get ready to be inspired as we explore the importance of hands-on experiences, collaboration, and creative proble...

In today’s episode, iTeach president Andrew Rozell shares the challenges of leading a rapidly growing business while staying true to the mission of transforming education. From wearing multiple hats in the early days to expanding into new states, Andrew’s story with iTeach is truly inspiring. We explore how this visionary leader navigates the complexities of educational policy, advocating for legi...

In today's episode, we have a special guest joining us, Karim Abouelnaga! Abouelnaga is a remarkable individual who is on a mission to revolutionize the education system. Abouelnaga shares his unique perspective, experiences, and insights, challenging the status quo and discussing the barriers faced by underprivileged students.  From the struggles of language difficulties to the importance of...

In today's episode, we have a fascinating guest joining us. Sandy Roskes, the co-founder of Legends of Learning and the EVP of District Partnerships at Hooked on Phonics. Here's the question: Can we actually learn from games? Today, Sandy Roskes will shed light on this intriguing topic. Roskes’ research studies focus on the efficacy of using games in education. His findings not only refined his id...

In this episode of Capital Class, Adam Giery sits down with Skip Hansen. They explore the pressing issues facing the education system and the innovative solutions that Lifelong Learning and Learn4Life are implementing to make a difference. The conversation spans challenges pregnant teens face in school to providing industry connections and skills training for 18-year-old adults seeking jobs. Lifel...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of education and the challenges educators face. Our guest, Evan Erdberg, founder and CEO of Proximity Learning, shares his journey and insights into transforming the education system. From managing a team and remote instruction to the impact of COVID-19, Evan sheds light on the struggles faced by teachers and the need for innovation.  Join us as we...

On this episode of Capital Class, Adam Giery sits down with Svetlana Elgart, the founder, and CEO of Rainbow Chef's Academy. Svetlana passionately shares how Rainbow Chefs Academy fosters literacy, math, history, and science through the art of cooking. Get ready to explore the hidden layers of knowledge that sizzle within every dish, enriching young minds with practical skills and essential wisdom...

On this episode of Capital Class, we welcome Ryan Whittemore, an experienced venture capitalist. Whittemore shares their successful journey in the industry, breaking down the challenges and strategies they used to achieve their goals. They discuss the importance of developing a clear financial forecast, how to create a well-prepared deck for investors, and the process of finding solid businesses w...

In this episode of Capital Class, Adam Giery sits down with Mohannad Arbaji, Founder and CEO of ChalkTalk, to discuss a journey that shaped the development of teacher-led and humanized personalized learning for students throughout the world. Arbaji discusses his early beginnings as an international student that embraced a love for education as a vehicle of opportunity. He expands on entrepreneuria...

The Impact of Innovative Technologies on Education In this episode of Capital Class, we are joined by Scott Kinney, Chief Executive Officer at Discovery Education. Scott is a thought leader and influential voice in the education sector, dedicated to supporting the success of every student and teacher. His commitment is demonstrated in three decades of steadfast work and experience in the fields of...