About Curriki
Why we started
The rise of remote learning.
The state of education went digital overnight as we faced the onset of a global pandemic. The world learned what educators knew instinctively; we were not prepared to support full digital learning programs at scale. The deficits are many; including the lack of comprehensive tools and dynamic curriculum. Today’s lessons are designed for a traditional classroom setting and are stuck in static PDFs. The result: Students report they are less engaged with online learning and teachers lack the ability to deliver interactive learning. With these current challenges, educators and administrators across all sectors are searching for ways to create interactive content designed for digital learning experiences. With over 200,000 education technology tools available, this task has proven to be time consuming and expensive.
WHO WE ARE
The Future of Learning, all in one place.
Curriki is a non-profit organization that has been revolutionizing the way digital learning content is distributed and openly shared for over a decade. In July 2020, we launched CurrikiStudio, a free full-service learning content authoring suite designed to help educators create dynamic and engaging curriculum online. Without any coding knowledge required, CurrikiStudio makes every aspect of the process simpler, faster, and affordable. We aim to empower educators to create, publish and evaluate immersive learning experiences online in an effort to engage students in a more meaningful way. The early success of Curriki Studio has introduced the opportunity to expand this open source project to businesses looking to engage employees and customers.
A letter from our founder, Scott McNealy
I have long had a deep passion for bringing better learning experiences to the world via technology. As we know, one of the significant challenges caused by COVID is remotely teaching our kids. We had an inadequate model before, and now it is even more pressing to provide solutions to better support the learning experience with technology. New technology.
We know that there is so much to be fixed right now. Nothing in my mind is more important than getting our kids excited about engaging in a quality educational experience and giving educators the tools to meet this need, especially given the likelihood of long term remote/hybrid learning situations. I believe Curriki has resolved a major deficiency with our new products, CurrikiStudio and CurrikiGo.
We have been working on this challenge for a long time and COVID-19 has only made our efforts more urgent. In June, www.curriki.org launched two open-source projects, CurrikiStudio and CurrikiGo, that address critical needs in the creation of modern, purpose-built distance learning content. By bringing unprecedented Free technology access and simplicity to authoring and publishing, we are opening up a new world of possibility for student engagement.
The Opportunity
The realities of remote learning have created numerous challenges for parents, teachers, and most of all the students. There is deep frustration with the lack of resources and experiences that match an in-person lesson, and more importantly, we are losing millions of kids that are not able to engage in learning that they need to not only excel but survive. We absolutely need more, better content to engage self-directed learning.
Curriki has the technology to help solve this issue by drastically reducing technical and financial barriers, increasing participation in the development of and access to next-gen learning experiences. We are proud to announce CurrikiStudio, the first free and open, interactive learning content authoring solution, designed to accelerate and scale digital-first content development.
CurrikiStudio allows any non-technical user to quickly create active, digital learning experiences, via interactive video and voice, game experiences, simulations and more. We have live 40+ learning interactions to support immersive, mobile learning
CurrikiGo is an embedded technology that allows for one-button publishing to all of the major eLearning platforms currently accessed by students in k12 and Higher Education. We call it “create once, run anywhere”.
This is critical now more than ever, as there is no foreseeable return to the traditional classroom model as we know it. Curriki is a game-changer… and the best part is that it is open-source and completely FREE.
Please join us.
Scott McNealy, Co-founder
Leadership Team
Abby Ross
CEO
Abby Ross is a seasoned technology entrepreneur with a passion and background in education technology. She started her career in Product Management at a start-up that grew to 10M users and was acquired by Expedia in 2010. Abby then led the strategy and growth of a web and mobile development firm as a Managing Partner. In 2013, Abby co-founded ThinkCERCA, a venture-backed education technology company focused on helping build critical thinking skills through writing across the curriculum. Abby was integral in raising over $20M in capital across 3 rounds of funding, developing ThinkCERCA’s initial product offering and go-to-market strategy to launch as an enterprise K-12 program. Abby led ThinkCERCA organization for 8 years as the Chief Product Officer from pre-revenue to nearing profitability. Abby is thrilled to be leading Curriki in this next wave of innovation and growth.
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Leo Cunha,
CTO
As Chief Technology Officer, Leo brings over 30 years of progressively challenging experience in the management, design, and development of mission-critical systems. His education technology experience spans over 15 years and includes the development and integration of systems for both K-12 and higher education, specifically in the areas of learning management, assessment and intervention, student information and ERP systems, and analytical processing for education. Leo is an avid supporter of open technologies and open education and is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Caroline Benoist
Instructional Designer
Caroline brings years of teaching, professional development, and curriculum design to her role as an instructional designer for CurrikiStudio. She has developed interactive learning experiences through CurrikiStudio for K-12, higher ed, and nonprofits, trained educators, district and college leadership on building effective and remote learning experience through CurrikiStudio.
Previously, Caroline was a classroom teacher and professional development provider in Texas. She developed highly effective curriculum training modules adopted across campuses throughout her district and it was adapted by Regional Directors providing materials to neighboring school districts. She provided Professional Development trainings across multiple campuses facilitating growth among fellow educators while identifying and improving effective teaching techniques. Caroline is an expert in using CurrikiStudio, a digital authoring tool that allows teachers, administrators, tutors, and industry to produce their own interactive and self-paced digital learning experiences.
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Director of Partnerships
Mark serves as Curriki’s Director of Partnerships and brings to the position over 25 years of experience across a variety of industries. An Industrial Engineer by degree (Go Clemson!), Mark
is a highly collaborative technology professional with a track record of success spanning complex software and services sales, key account management, marketing, program management, product management, and operations.
Mark has a passion for storytelling, laughter, and building and maintaining strong relationships. Outside of work Mark resides in the Upstate of South Carolina, is the husband to one and father to two with a passion for golf, watching junior golf tournaments, and everything Clemson.
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Mike Francis
Director of Product and Integration
Mike is a seasoned Information Technology professional with over 20 years of experience providing product and implementation leadership in Education Technology and other industries. Mike has extensive experience in technical project and program management including leading multidisciplinary teams, driving large-scale initiatives, overseeing budgets and timelines, and providing IT infrastructure guidance. Mike loves to exceed expectations by creating valuable partnerships and working well with people at all levels of the organization, including stakeholders, external partners, and clients.
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ADVISORY BOARD
Board of Directors
Kim Jones
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Scott McNealy
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Phil Lebherz
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Gene Banman
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Larry Nelson
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Bill Raduchel
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Gil Brady
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Jonathan Brusco
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Geoffrey Emery
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Kim Jones
Kim Jones is the Chairman of the Board and former Chief Executive Officer of Curriki.
Kim is active in driving policy initiatives, evidenced by her testimony before the Congressional Web-based Education Commission in the USA. She is also regularly featured as an honorary speaker on the impact of technology in education at influential meetings around the world, including NCTET, WISE, the Worldwide Education & Research Conference (WWERC) in the United States, Europe, and Asia, and other key public sector forums. In addition to her role at Curriki, Kim is a member of the MIT Open Courseware Industry Advisory Council.
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Scott McNealy
Scott McNealy, Co-Founded Sun Microsystems in 1982 and served as CEO and Chairman of the Board for 22 years during which he piloted the company from startup to legendary Silicon Valley giant in computing infrastructure, network computing, and open-source software. Under his watch, Sun Microsystems employed approximately 235,000 worldwide. Sun was sold to Oracle in 2010 for $7.4 billion.
Scott McNealy is an outspoken advocate for personal liberty, small government, and free-market competition.
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Phil Lebherz
Philip Lebherz has been described as a consummate family man, an innovative businessman, and a serial
entrepreneur. Whichever you prefer, Phil can certainly be described as a renaissance man. His personal and professional story has left a rather noticeable impact on the California landscape. He took both LISI, a premier medical insurance distributor, and CoPower, a billing consolidation admin and marketing firm, from a vision to fruition over the last 30 years. These companies currently represent the most
prominent benefits insurance carriers in the U.S. He recently sold them to AmWINS, the largest distributor of wholesale insurance products in America.
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Gene has been a serial CEO for the past 15 years having been at the helm of three companies prior to DriveScale. NetContinuum developed an application layer firewall appliance for large enterprise and web businesses and was sold to Barracuda Networks. Zero Motorcycles is the leading electric motorcycle in the world and Gene remains on the Board of Directors. ClearPower Systems designed a waste heat recovery electric power generation system and was sold to Questor Technologies. A member of the senior management team at Sun Microsystems Gene was Sr. Vice President/General Manager of the $3 billion/year Desktop Systems group.
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Larry Nelson leads Microsoft’s Worldwide Education Partner strategy within its Public Sector Business Unit, for both Primary/Secondary and Higher Education. Previous to this role, Nelson led Microsoft’s Worldwide Primary/Secondary Education strategy. Prior to joining Microsoft, Nelson led strategic planning of telecom services for the University Librarian at Stanford University, and before that, he was a Director at Sun Microsystems where he also served as acting Executive Director of the Global Education & Learning Community (GELC, now known as Curriki) where he managed the creation of GELC as an independent nonprofit corporation. Nelson is Secretary and Treasurer of the Curriki Board of Directors and a past member of the NEA Foundation Board of Directors, SIF Executive Board, and SPA Education Board. He earned a Masters in business administration from Cornell University and a Bachelors degree from Vassar College.
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William J. Raduchel has over 50 years of experience with systems, software, and networks and has had a long career mixing technology, education and media. He has long experience and expertise in corporate governance. Raduchel joined AOL in September 1999 from Sun Microsystems, Inc., where he was chief strategy officer and a member of its executive committee. In his eleven years at Sun, he also served as chief information officer, chief financial officer, acting vice president of human resources and vice president of corporate planning and development and oversaw relationships with the major Japanese partners. There he was recognized separately as CIO of the year and as best CFO in the computer industry. In addition, he has held senior executive roles at Xerox Corporation and McGraw-Hill, Inc.
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Currently, President at Nativity Prep Academy of San Diego, Brady is an experienced Partner with a demonstrated history of working in the management consulting industry. Skilled in Educational Leadership, Executive Development, Business Planning, Sales, Organizational Learning, and Training Delivery. Strong entrepreneurship professional with a Doctor of Education (EdD) focused in Executive Leadership from The George Washington University.
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Jonathan Brusco has sixteen years of experience in a variety of education-focused roles. He currently serves as the Director of Instructional Technology & Maker Education at Pinewood School in Los Altos, CA, where he leads technology integration efforts and manages the K-12 Coding and Maker Education programs across their three campuses. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at Gavilan College, a Bay Area community college with 9,000 students as well as an on-site top-performing dual enrollment high school. He has held this elected office since 2012 and has served terms as Vice President and President of the Board.
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After working for five years at major law firms in New York and California, Geoff Emery purchased a failing luxury car dealership in Beverly Hills, California, and later purchased other similarly nonperforming businesses. Twenty-five years later, Beverly Hills Porsche and Santa Monica Audi are now two of the largest luxury car dealerships in the United States, collectively grossing over $300 million in revenue in 2015.
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Dr. Brian Blanton
Dr. Brian Blanton is Chief Information Officer for Henry County Schools in Georgia where he serves as a member of the superintendent’s executive cabinet and leads the Information Technology division. Prior to his role as CIO, he served as the district’s Instructional Technology leader. He is the co-creator and co-founder of the district’s blended and virtual learning school, Impact Academy, which now serves over 4,200 students in full time enrollment. Brian is also an active leader in Georgia’s educational technology community and serves as board president for the Georgia Educational Technology Consortium. On the national level, Brian is a contributing member of the IMS Global Learning Consortium and is a member of its K12 Institutional Leadership Board. He is honored to have been recognized by IMS as a 2020 Leadership Award Recipient.
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Crystal Hill
Crystal Hill is the Chief People Officer for AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School/AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation where she oversees People Operations and business strategy for this early childhood education public charter school network and instructional model developer.
Previously she served as Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Administrative Officer for the Urban Institute where she oversaw the Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development, HRIS, Benefits, Compliance, Employee Communication, and Facilities and Office Services functions and served as member of and business partner to members of the executive team.
Crystal grew up in Harlem, NY and served as a literacy coach in her early career. Recognizing her passion for education and wanting to impact the outcomes of students who looked like her and came from neighborhoods like hers, she has spent over 20 years as a strategic human resources partner to educational organizations including Schoolnet, Inc. a K-12 ed-tech firm focused on Instructional Management Solutions (now a part of Pearson Education) and Achieve, Inc., a K-12 education policy think tank, aligning human capital programs and initiatives to organizational goals and objectives.
Crystal was also a 2013 Education Pioneers Fellow. She holds a BA in psychology from the Macaulay Honors College of the City University of New York and a MS in industrial and labor relations from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College.
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Dr. Knox Phillips
Dr. Knox Phillips has several years of experience in the field of educational innovation and leadership, both in K-12 Education and in Higher Education, including securing and managing over $100 million in educational grant funds and building several innovative academic programs focused on student achievement, primarily in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Knox’s expertise also includes educational research and data analysis, including implementation of data analysis and performance management systems at educational institutions. Knox has served in previous capacities as executive director of research and innovation with the University System of Georgia and has served in leadership roles at both Miami-Dade College and Morehouse College.
A champion for K-12 education, Knox has also worked extensively with academic initiatives at both Miami-Dade County Schools (FL) and the DeKalb County School District (GA), including his most recent work as an Associate Superintendent charged with leading a multitude of student achievement innovations. His most recent work involves preparing academic and nonprofit organizations for success in organizational fundraising, development, and advancement.
Knox’s educational background includes a B.S. degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Florida; an M.S. Degree in Environmental Science from the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center at Nova Southeastern University; and Doctor of Education Studies in Curriculum and Instruction (STEM Education) at Northeastern University.
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Matt Beaudreau
Matt Beaudreau is a keynote and TEDx speaker, Founder/President of Acton Academy Placer, Creator of Apogee Strong Mentorship Program, and host of The Essential 11 Podcast.
As a keynote speaker and consultant, Matt has spoken to over 250,000 people around the world from companies like American Eagle and Lockheed Martin to Wells Fargo and the United States Air Force.
His experience working with Fortune 500 companies has helped him to design the network of K-12 schools under the Acton Academy Placer umbrella. Acton campuses focus on Socratic Methods, Individualized Academia, and participating in collaborative and entrepreneurial work based on the unique genius of each young hero.
Apogee and The Essential 11 were both born from the Acton philosophies, The top leaders from around the world pour into young men from multiple countries on a weekly basis with our Apogee Strong program, and those same leaders answer questions directly from young heroes on The Essential 11 podcast.
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Professor
Freedom Cheteni
Professor Freedom Cheteni, a legendary educator and thought leader is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential voices. He is the Editor in Chief of the School Superintendents’ Journal, chair of the United Nations Green Jobs for Rural Youth steering committee and CEO of InventXR. Freedom advises governments on the future of work and proudly serves on the governing boards of the Biotech Institute, The RealMVP Charity Foundation and NALEDI.
An award-winning entrepreneur, Freedom has achieved international prominence in the exponential technology and education movements. He coined concepts such as “Movement Thinking” and “Designership” and is one of the creators of the Moonshots in Education movement. He shaped the founding of the first public school on a corporate campus in the United States, the world’s first VR School and Self-Driving College. Freedom designed curriculum taught at Stanford and beyond and is currently engaged in rigorous implementation of his ideas on the global stage.
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Laylah Bulman
Senior Program Manager with Microsoft Education and Founder and Executive Director of the Florida Scholastic eSports League
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Debra Kerr
Debra Kerr has benefitted from an illustrious, fast paced track record in her career in sales and sales management as a strategist, field representative and senior executive leader who succeeded in climbing the corporate ladder in the K-20 industry. She has recently made a significant shift in her career from corporate America to investing her time and expertise into her own independent consulting firm, leveraging all she has learned to help organizations make the shift necessary to move the needle in the areas of sales growth, people development and cultural reform. Debra has a talent for people – she knows how to recruit, develop and optimize the engine of individuals and very large teams – she is excited, energized and hopeful that in this next phase of her career she will be effective and extremely successful at raising the lid on the leadership skills of women, youth and people of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. She has a passion for adding value to others and facilitating the growth and self-actualization of individuals.
Until recently, September 2017, Debra was the Head of Sales for Age of Learning, creators of the award winning comprehensive online early learning academy – abcmouse.com. She is a former Senior Vice President of Pearson and executive project leader of its enterprise-wide transformation to entirely digital platforms. Her instrumental leadership included establishing Pearson as a competitive provider of digital publishing systems and technical services for the K-12 education market of their $4Bn operations. Most recently, she was selected by Legacy South Florida Magazine as one of “South Florida’s Most Powerful Black Professionals in Business and Industry for 2014.”
Debra is a native of Jamaica and a former public relations officer and Second Runner Up for the Miss Jamaica (World) Pageant. She also gained notoriety as one of the island country’s top fashion models. After a successful stint as an anchor for a government sponsored public television program broadcast, she leveraged her career into work with middle- and senior level management, leading etiquette and grooming seminars for various corporate clients.
Debra is also a certified John Maxwell Leadership Speaker, Trainer and Coach and is on the Board of the Foundation for Volunteer Florida and City Year Miami.
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Robert Pearl Starks
Robert Pearl Starks is the Vice President of Learning Initiatives for MaxKnowledge, the leading provider of online talent development solutions for the career education community, serving over 3,000 organizations, offering online professional development courseware and technology systems to maximize performance of educators and students. Robert has extensive experience in leading and supporting the design, development and marketing of diverse software and technology products used by CTE educators, administrators, and students across the United States.
He currently leads the development of CareerPrepped®, a career-readiness software that helps learners authentically develop and demonstrate their skills to enable skills-based hiring for employers. In his career, Robert has also served as a college Career Services Director, board member to career college associations, and Director of Media and Technology for the Arizona Career Development Association.
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