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.

  1. How Julia Rafal-Baer Empowers Education Leaders to Thrive in an Era of Rapid Change

    Jun 1

    How Julia Rafal-Baer Empowers Education Leaders to Thrive in an Era of Rapid Change

    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 at what it truly takes to lead education systems today. The conversation begins with a bold and hopeful premise. While headlines often focus on the crisis, Julia makes the case that the real story is the strength of today’s education leaders. As power shifts toward states and districts, the demand has moved beyond vision and communication to execution, operations, and community trust. Julia explains why this moment requires a new kind of leader, one who can navigate politics, technology, finance, and human relationships simultaneously. Adam and Julia explore the rise of artificial intelligence in education and why leadership, not technology, must be in the driver’s seat. Julia shares how ILO Group anticipated this shift, convening system leaders early to move past hype and toward ethical, operationally sound AI adoption that reduces administrative burden while preserving what matters most: human connection and judgment. The episode also traces Julia’s personal journey, from a pivotal moment as a special education teacher in the Bronx to founding organizations that now shape national leadership pipelines, particularly for women. Throughout, Julia returns to a central theme: sustainable change happens when leaders are supported, not isolated, and when systems are built to endure beyond any one individual. Timestamps: 04:55 "Leadership Challenges in AI Era" 09:19 "Broadening Leadership Frameworks Through AI" 12:15 AI Leadership and Strategic Vision 13:55 AI Streamlining Education Processes 19:45 AI Accountability and Oversight Intensifies 23:59 Passion for Education and Leadership 27:36 Building Frameworks for Leadership Communities 30:52 Scaling While Maintaining Quality Culture 33:09 "Leadership, Pressure, and Partnerships" 35:13 "Family, Skiing, and Vermont Adventures" 38:21 "Building Durable, Scalable System Change" Connect with Julia Rafal-Baer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrafal Website: https://www.ilogroup.com/

    43 min
  2. Forging Access: Jacob Kantor on Unlocking School District Doors and Lasting Partnerships

    May 8

    Forging Access: Jacob Kantor on Unlocking School District Doors and Lasting Partnerships

    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 district priorities are what ultimately open doors—and keep them open. Jacob shares how his work goes far beyond setting meetings. It’s about helping companies truly understand district needs, refine their messaging, and build genuine relationships that lead to long-term partnerships. With exposure to 15–20 companies a week, he brings a unique perspective on what separates signal from noise in today’s market. The conversation also explores key trends shaping K-12 decision-making, including attendance recovery, special education funding pressures, and the growing complexity of district leadership. Jacob highlights how districts operate like CEOs managing competing priorities, making it critical for companies to position themselves within those top priorities—not outside them. On a personal level, Jacob reflects on his journey from early career struggles to building a thriving, relationship-driven business. He emphasizes authenticity, human connection, and long-term trust as the foundation of success—especially in a world increasingly driven by AI and automation. Key Moments 03:39 Increasing student attendance rates 07:47 Building relationships with partners 13:48 Special ed funding challenges 14:39 School attendance and funding 19:38 Importance of genuine connections 23:34 Transitioning to entrepreneurship advice 26:02 Building a useful professional network 29:44 Parenting and future travel plans 32:24 Struggles with client conversions 35:50 Working with chosen clients Connect with Jacob Kantor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejacobkantor Website: https://thejacobkantor.com/

    42 min
  3. From Classroom to Boardroom: Chris Hull’s Journey Building Otus for Education

    May 8

    From Classroom to Boardroom: Chris Hull’s Journey Building Otus for Education

    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 company. He reflects on the daily reality teachers face: managing 150+ students while navigating a growing number of disconnected tools, dashboards, and data points. The promise of technology has always been clarity and personalization, but in practice, it has often led to more noise and less actionable insight. The conversation dives into how Otus was born not from a software-first mindset, but from a teacher problem—how to organize scattered data into a meaningful, unified student profile. Chris shares powerful classroom stories that highlight the consequences of missing context, including moments where critical student information simply didn’t transfer between grades. These gaps, he argues, are exactly what technology should be solving. Adam and Chris also explore the evolving role of AI in education. Rather than replacing teachers, AI has the potential to act as a powerful assistant—helping educators interpret data, identify patterns faster, and free up time for what matters most: building relationships with students. At its core, this episode is about clarity—cutting through complexity to empower educators with the insights they need to act with confidence. It’s also a reminder that the best innovations in education don’t start with technology—they start with real classroom problems. Key Moments 05:20 Navigating digital education changes 07:26 Wanting better student progress reports 11:25 Using AI to track student progress 15:24 Preparing for Project Citizen Presentation 17:50 Building the Otis team 20:46 Creating a comprehensive student profile 23:08 Challenges in teacher professional development 26:23 Fostering growth at Otis 29:43 Discussing upcoming AI advancements Connect with Christopher Hull LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chull9 Website: https://otus.com/

    32 min
  4. Redefining EdTech Founders: Vision, Partnership, and the Future of Operator Led Capital

    Apr 29

    Redefining EdTech Founders: Vision, Partnership, and the Future of Operator Led Capital

    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 less about perfect decisions and more about how you respond to mistakes. Founders often carry the weight of failure longer than they should, which can stall progress. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of accountability paired with self-forgiveness, allowing leaders to reset and move forward with clarity. The discussion then shifts to a major shift in the startup world. Product differentiation is rapidly disappearing, especially in the age of AI. What once gave companies an edge can now be replicated in weeks. In its place, Michael argues that the future belongs to founders building around lived experience, authentic vision, and deep partnerships. Rather than selling tools, the next generation of companies will focus on leading transformations alongside their customers. Adam and Michael also dive into the role of AI, not as a replacement for human work, but as a force multiplier. By automating repetitive tasks, AI frees founders to focus on relationships, strategy, and long-term impact. This reinforces a key theme: human connection and trust will only become more valuable as technology scales. At its core, this episode is about evolution—of founders, of business models, and of leadership itself. Michael’s journey reflects a broader shift toward purpose-driven entrepreneurship, where success is measured not just by growth, but by the communities and movements built along the way. Timestamps: 05:13 Shifts in founder motivations 08:17 New approach to business strategy 11:59 Empathy and user-centered design 15:02 Realizing rookie business mistakes 18:38 Meeting future business partner 20:50 Integrating spirituality into business 25:22 Life after exiting a company 26:44 Staying true to operator-led capital 30:41 Thoughts on future economic shifts Connect with Michael Narea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mnarea Website: https://transcend-network.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

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

    12/24/2025

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

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

    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

  7. 10/16/2025

    Power in Play: How Video Games Are Revolutionizing STEM Education with Hunter Moore

    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 a troubling reality: the U.S. is falling behind in STEM outcomes, even as demand for STEM careers keeps rising. Rather than build another “gamified” quiz product, Moore set out to design what he calls a true fusion of gameplay and instruction where students learn science by using it to win. In Plasma Games’ flagship experience, Sci-Ops: Global Defense, learners apply real chemistry and physics concepts—like atomic energy levels, thermochemical properties, and the ideal gas law—as core mechanics for strategy, equipment upgrades, and problem-solving. Giery and Moore unpack what it takes to introduce this kind of innovation into schools, including teacher training needs, procurement realities, and the tension between traditional classroom structures and experiential, game-based learning. Beyond product, the conversation becomes a founder’s journey mission, doubt, and big decisions. Moore reflects on building Plasma Games through uncertainty, measuring success through student impact, and staying grounded through faith and family. The result is a candid look at how play, purpose, and engineering rigor can reshape how students engage with STEM and imagine their futures. Timestamps 06:23 "Learning Chemistry Through Gameplay" 09:13 Balancing Education and Innovation 12:47 Games as Future Learning Tools 16:24 Student Engagement Challenges in Education 18:41 "Faith-Led Journey to Innovation" 20:23 "Faith, Stats, and Odds" 25:22 Education's Bureaucratic Financial Strain 29:57 Balancing Education Priorities 31:43 Lowering Standards Hurts Education 33:59 "Naivete Meets Harsh Realities" 37:48 Federal Cuts Spark Ripple Effect Connect with Hunter Moore LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterryanmoore Website: https://play.plasma.games/

    40 min
  8. From Searching to Solving: How Winnie Is Transforming Childcare for Parents and Providers

    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
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Giery
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Strategos Podcast Network
  • Show Website
    Capital Class