Capital Class

Adam Giery

5.0 (1)
BUSINESS
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Capital Class invites audiences into the c-suite of market-leading businesses to share candid conversations that explore complex business challenges while humanizing the journey of constructing an enterprise. Through storytelling and humor, Capital Class provides insights to support a vibrant innovation ecosystem.

12/24/2025

AI, Data, and the Future of K12: Antonio Pietri on PowerSchool’s Mission

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. After Aspen was acquired, he expected to retire, but the pull of purpose—and the opportunity to build brought him back. At PowerSchool, he sees a mission-driven organization with the “right to win,” serving more than 60 million students across 90+ countries, and a massive runway to evolve from good to truly great. Together, Giery and Pietri explore why education is at an inflection point: districts juggling disconnected tools, rising expectations for interoperability, and growing pressure for real-time insights. Pietri makes the case that AI shouldn’t replace teachers it should reclaim their time by automating paperwork, streamlining workflows, and turning growing volumes of student data into actionable insight. The goal, he argues, is simple: remove the mundane so educators can focus on what matters most to students and outcomes. The episode also offers a candid look at leadership at scale. Pietri reflects on risk-taking, resilience, and what changes when the “buck stops” with the CEO. Now in his first weeks at PowerSchool, he’s moving fast on operational transformation while intentionally staying in learning mode listening, absorbing, and building conviction in a new industry. Timestamps 06:10 "AI's Role in Education" 09:24 "AI Advancing Education Effectiveness" 11:04 "Career Inflection Points and Passion" 16:59 "Learning and Growth in Education" 20:27 "AI Solutions for K12 Education" 21:32 "Red Square: A Lifelong Fascination" Connect with Antonio Pietri LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-pietri Website: https://www.powerschool.com/

25 min
11/12/2025

The Future of Work: Rapid Training, Real Jobs, and Transfr’s Bold Vision

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. After working in finance and co-founding LearnBop, a math tutoring platform later acquired by K12 Inc., he turned his focus toward building solutions that could expand opportunity. With Transfr, he is using virtual reality to provide career exploration and rapid training for in-demand jobs, helping learners gain both confidence and practical skills. Together, Adam and Bharani examine the macro forces driving change in the labor market: baby boomer retirements, rising higher education costs, and the acceleration of technology adoption after COVID. Bharani explains why skilled trades, once overlooked in favor of a college pathway for all, now present stable and well-paying opportunities that do not require a four-year degree. The discussion also explores the disruptive rise of artificial intelligence, which is reshaping job requirements and amplifying the urgency for adaptable, short-cycle training. Beyond technical skills, Bharani emphasizes perseverance and self-belief as essential for success. With VR, learners can immerse themselves in real-world environments such as advanced manufacturing floors or healthcare settings, helping them discover capabilities and build confidence before stepping into the workplace. Timestamps 03:35 From Finance to EdTech Advocate 08:34 Opening Career Paths Without College 11:35 AI’s Impact on Job Market 13:16 Future Skills: Rapid Training Essential 18:50 Perseverance: Essential Skill for Future 20:48 "Adapting to Market Changes" Connect with Bharani Rajakumar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bharanidharan-rajakumar-98aa1a1 Website: https://transfrinc.com/

24 min
09/23/2025

From Searching to Solving: How Winnie Is Transforming Childcare for Parents and Providers

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 built on trust, licensing data, and parent reviews. Sara explains how the early-education landscape has transformed over the past decade: investor interest has grown, providers have adopted more technology, and cultural norms have shifted from “daycare as a dirty word” to early learning as a valued—often expected—step before kindergarten. She argues candidly that child care should be expensive because it’s profoundly valuable, but families shouldn’t shoulder the cost alone—public funding and employers must help close the gap. From the provider’s side, she demystifies tight margins, regulations, and what it takes to run a sustainable, recession-resilient business. Digging into Winnie’s growth, Sara recounts the moment product-market fit clicked, why the team chose a national footprint early, how providers themselves pushed Winnie toward monetization, and what surviving shocks like the SVB crisis taught them about resilience and profitability. Tune in for valuable insights on innovation, leadership, and where the future of family tech is headed. Key Moments 04:48 Evolving Perceptions of Childcare 07:20 Challenges Faced by Childcare Providers 12:10 Licensed Childcare Marketplace 14:35 Unexpected Childcare Marketplace Journey 17:02 Winnie's Shift to Childcare Marketplace 20:26 Monetization Dilemma for Childcare Marketplace 24:05 Event Led to Financial Strategy Shift 27:17 Profitability Over Fundraising 31:41 Oversharing and Open Book Life 35:19 Winnie Expands to K12 Education 38:25 "Growth: In-Person Customer Interaction" Connect with Sara Mauskopf LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smausk Website: https://winnie.com/ ============================= Learn more about Strategos Group: https://www.strategosgroup.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategos-group-public-affairs/ 🚨 Subscribe to the Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@strategospodcastnetwork ============================= PODCASTS 🎧 Capital Class with Adam Giery: https://www.strategosgroup.com/podcast 🎧 On the Clock with Todd Dallas Lamb: https://www.strategosgroup.com/podcast-on-the-clock 🎧 Swimming Upstream with Tom Luna: https://swimming-upstream.captivate.fm/listen 🎧 On Balance with Dr. Rod Berger: https://www.strategosgroup.com/podcast-on-balance 🎧 To the Point with Jim Horne and Doug Mesecar: https://to-the-point.captivate.fm/ Produced by Old Soul: https://bit.ly/3KuYfrD ============================= #educationmanagement #educationleadership #education

1 hr
08/06/2025

Debt-Free Degrees? How ACE Is Rewriting Higher Ed

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 Hyland’s leadership, ACE has emerged as a standout institution: fully online, accredited, and fiercely committed to access, affordability, and quality. With 85% of students graduating debt-free and tuition for graduate degrees well below national averages, ACE is proving that high-impact education doesn't require a high price tag. Throughout the episode, Hyland and Giery explore the state of the education workforce, the teacher pipeline crisis, and how ACE’s practitioner-led model equips educators for real-world challenges. Hyland also opens up about his unconventional path to ACE, driven by a passion for human capital development and a personal mission to make education more accessible. This episode also highlights ACE’s impressive student outcomes, employer satisfaction, and innovative use of AI to streamline administrative tasks—freeing faculty to focus on what matters most: teaching and learning. Key Moments 03:12 Addressing Teacher Career Progression 09:06 Career in EdTech and Education Reform 12:13 Affordable Education With High Quality 15:41 Recharging Through Challenging Hobbies 16:45 Sauna Tradition Recreated in Tampa Connect with Geordie Hyland LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geordiehyland/ Website: https://ace.edu/

20 min
06/05/2025

From Chalkboards to Checkbooks: How Jess Gartner Is Rewriting EdTech

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 resources allocated, and are we truly funding equity? The episode begins with Jess recounting her early days as a Baltimore City schoolteacher, where she quickly discovered the stark reality of underfunded classrooms. That experience sparked a decade-long mission to reimagine K–12 finance systems—culminating in the launch of Allovue and its eventual acquisition by PowerSchool in 2024. Jess and Adam explore the often overlooked complexities of school budgeting, the unsung heroism of district CFOs, and the emotional toll of entrepreneurship. With candor and conviction, Jess reflects on burnout, resilience, and the hard choices behind building a mission-driven company. She also unpacks why federal COVID-era funding didn’t transform education as some hoped and how we must reframe the conversation about what schools are expected to deliver. Key Moments 04:46 Solving the Student Achievement Gap 09:07 Evolving Role of Modern Schools 13:37 Teachers Subsidizing Classroom Resources 16:32 Public Sector Budget Efficiency 19:10 Balancing Extremes in Business 21:25 Embracing EdTech in Education 27:29 "Deep Problem Understanding through Interviews" 28:25 Understanding Data Gaps in Education 33:44 "Building Amidst Financial Constraints" 36:30 Entrepreneurial Vision and Persistence 39:52 School Budget Scrutiny Surges 41:44 Temporary Emergency School Funds Usage 46:26 Founder Reflects on Life Journey 48:38 Prioritizing Team and Mission Values 54:12 "Leading with Integrity and Resilience" 57:08 "Desert Sands: Otherworldly Experience" 59:04 "Capital Class Podcast Sign-off" Connect with Jess Gartner LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessgartner Website: https://www.jessgartner.com/

1 hr
05/06/2025

From Startup to Sector Leader: Chris Curran on Education, M&A, and Impact

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 today’s uncertain market landscape, discussing how economic turbulence impacts M&A in the education sector. Curran pulls back the curtain on the complexities of selling an education company, highlighting the risks of "unbanked" deals and the essential role of a trusted advisor in maximizing value for founder-led businesses. Curran also reflects on the founding of Tyton Partners—a firm born from the fusion of public service, Wall Street banking, and entrepreneurial grit—and its mission to serve education enterprises with both capital and counsel. With characteristic candor, he explains how Tyton’s service-driven model and deep sector expertise have reshaped how education companies grow, merge, and thrive. From at-risk learners and skills-to-jobs pathways to the global rise of edtech, Curran offers an unvarnished look at the trends shaping the future. Along the way, he opens up about personal lessons learned, the balance between ambition and family, and the enduring power of mission-driven work. Key Moments 00:00 ASU GSV 2025: Education Industry Evolution 05:08 Common Business Process Pitfalls 08:23 Titan Partners: Education-Focused Ventures 11:50 Global Success in Emerging Markets 16:10 AI's Impact on Education Pathways 17:53 Cultivating Future Company Leaders Connect with Chris Curran LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curranchristopher Website: https://tytonpartners.com/

19 min
10/22/2024

Improving Student Outcomes Through Early Education Interventions with Jeff Cohen

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 partnerships in meeting these demands. Cohen discusses the significant increase in students requiring special education, rising from 8% in 2000 to 14% in recent years, and the growing awareness around diagnoses such as autism. FullBloom steps in to help school systems address these challenges, providing specialized services to support students with severe behavioral needs, trauma backgrounds, and diagnosed disabilities. Throughout the conversation, Cohen emphasizes the importance of early intervention, the integration of education and healthcare, and the power of partnership in driving better outcomes for students. Listeners will gain valuable insights into how specialized education solutions, in partnership with school systems, are transforming the educational experience for students with unique needs, ultimately creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. Timestamps 00:00 Special education needs evolving with increased demand. 03:51 Increasing autism challenges schools, partners assist. 07:31 We enhance the school system for specific needs. 11:20 Education and healthcare intersect in addressing needs. 15:17 95% of special ed kids can thrive academically. 17:17 Proper support enables all students to succeed. 20:28 Empower You SEL program utilizes asynchronous coaching. 23:55 Public-private partnerships improve education outcomes. 27:55 Catapult: Largest private US teacher employer, 8,000+. 32:06 Investment community committed to education mission. 36:41 Impressed by talent at Fullbloom leadership meeting. 38:09 Success is team improvement and incredible colleagues. 41:36 Our destiny hinges on prioritizing decisions effectively. Connect with Jeff Cohen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-cohen-35097038 Website: https://fullbloom.org/

46 min
10/07/2024

Insights on AI and Education from Benchmark Education CEO Tom Reycraft

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 research-driven products and professional development. Tom also shares insights on the cyclical nature of educational trends, the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, and his passion for family, exercise, and travel. Tune in to hear about Tom's vision for the future of American education and his dedication to the mission of empowering students and teachers through literacy and language arts. Timestamps 00:00 Content development evolved with effective instructional strategies. 05:00 Increased emphasis on research-based foundational skills. 09:10 Teachers need professional development for updated skills. 13:33 Navigating risk in education, learning from challenges. 16:50 Eager to witness growth committed to education. 18:41 Passionate architect prioritizes family and business. 21:22 Benchmark Education produces fine podcasts featuring experts. Connect with Tom Reycraft LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-reycraft-59a53b6 Website: https://www.benchmarkeducation.com/

23 min

Capital Class invites audiences into the c-suite of market-leading businesses to share candid conversations that explore complex business challenges while humanizing the journey of constructing an enterprise. Through storytelling and humor, Capital Class provides insights to support a vibrant innovation ecosystem.

Creator

Adam Giery
Years Active

2021 - 2025
Episodes

34
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Strategos Podcast Network
Show Website

Capital Class