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.

Georgetown University (B.B.A., International Political Economy & Business); Hunter College (M.S.Ed., Special Education); Harvard University (Ed.M., Education Policy & Analysis)

Baltimore, MD

Teach for America; Coney Island Prep; Harvard Ed Portal

Jake is excited to work at Rize because he is passionate about designing engaging, evidence-based learning experiences that help colleges deliver programs that prepare students for the real world. Outside of work, Jake enjoys fitness and running, spending time outdoors, keeping up with reality TV, and always hunting for new coffee shops to explore.

University of Pennslvania

New Milford, CT

Asana; Teachers Pay Teachers; Top Hat; Knewton; Thrillist

Coming from a family of educators, Jenny grew up surrounded by people with a love of teaching and sharing knowledge. She is passionate about working at Rize because she believes that high quality education should be accessible to everyone. Outside of work, Jenny enjoys knitting, sewing and preparing to run off and join the circus.

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 Ohio, where he grew up seeing how small colleges cultivating talent, strengthening communities, and become economic drivers supporting everything around them. Outside of work, Joel hangs with his wife and two teenage kids, reads, plays basketball, and was the first person on Earth to make a living winning online video contests, which sent him to all 7 continents for free.

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.

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.

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.

Belmont Abbey College

Lexington, KY

Catholic Campus Ministry at North Carolina State University

Lucia is drawn to Rize because she believes marketing can be a force for good — and Rize's mission to connect students with relevant, flexible education at institutions that fit their lives reflects exactly that. Outside of work, Lucia enjoys practicing her Faith, spending time with family and friends, reading, and traveling.