Transforminng Educationn

Transeo is transforming student readiness with a suite of software tools that empower students and support educators.

About Transeoo

Transeo was built by educators for educators. Our founders were frustrated with a siloed education system and the amount of time wasted on paperwork. Collaboration was a challenge and students were falling through the cracks. We began with a simple problem: why did we spend so much time digging through pieces of paper, managing endless spreadsheets and playing hours of phone-tag? When searching for a better way to prepare students for success, we found no solutions. Transeo was born out of this real educational struggle.

Meet Our Team

Our team is built of educational leaders and industry experts that share one thing in common: the drive and desire to create a positive, authentic impact on students across the country. Click any photo to learn more about a specific team member.
Cecilia Retelle Zywicki
Cecilia Retelle Zywicki
CEO

Cecilia is a seasoned EdTech leader, strategic planner, facilitator, and operational executive—her expertise includes building culture, empowering team members, and establishing clear expectations while scaling businesses.

She has spent her career focused on upskilling the workforce through educational experiences after receiving her Juris Doctor from the University of Denver and Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education from the University of Minnesota (where she played ice hockey, twice appearing in the Frozen Four). She holds an active law license and inactive K-8 teaching license, with specialties in science and special education.

Cecilia joined the Transeo team as CEO in 2023 to continue the mission of transforming student readiness with a focus on providing work-based learning experiences to address the opportunity and skills gap for students and employers.


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Jimmy McDermott
Jimmy McDermott
CTO & CO-FOUNDER

Jimmy is an experienced technology leader and startup founder. As Transeo’s co-founder and Chief Technical Officer, he helps create systems and processes for development and integration and leads a team of powerful developers to build world-class technology. Jimmy serves as a member of Apple's Server Side Work Group where he helps steer community initiatives related to Swift, and was recognized for his work on the 2022 Forbes 30 under 30 list.


Because of his exposure to innovative Work-Based Learning and CTE curriculum as a student, Jimmy is deeply passionate about helping to scale those types opportunities for students across the country.

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Audrey Cruz
Audrey Cruz
Chief of Staff

Audrey is an accomplished consultant, strategist, and project manager with over a decade of experience cultivating high-performing teams, improving business processes, and leading through change. She enjoys translating complex ideas into actionable pieces and working collaboratively to solve tough problems. As the Director of Sales Operations & Enablement at Transeo, Audrey ensures people have what they need to succeed. For the first eleven years of her career, Audrey worked at the intersection of education and workforce development in award winning nonprofits and some of the most challenging schools in Washington, DC. She believes deeply in Transeo’s ability to transform schools and communities and knows first-hand how critical system infrastructure is to real change.

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Joe Diaz
Joe Diaz
VP OF CUSTOMER SUCCESS

Working across the country Joe has over a decade of experience in Customer Success in education technology. His passion lies in encouraging students to succeed so that they may reach their fullest potential. Life after High School comes with many challenges and the better we prepare our students for the real world the better in turn the world will be. From state to state and coast to coast he's supported some of the most innovative school districts in the nation bringing cutting edge digital tools to educators and students.

Joe supports Transeo's partners as VP of Customer Success in the West.


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Kelly Wolfe
Kelly Wolfe
VP of Strategic Partnerships and External Affairs

Kelly is an accomplished external and government affairs leader with a proven track record of building strong coalitions and collaborating with stakeholders to advance policy goals and partnerships that improve systems for kids. She has experience advising on political and thought leadership strategy as well as influencing government policy through public affairs and advocacy campaigns. 

She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) and her Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Minnesota. In 2018, she was selected as a Presidential Leadership Scholar. Her journey as a children’s advocate started when she was a 4th and 5th grade teacher in rural Louisiana. 

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Ross Porter
Ross Porter
Senior Director of Partnerships

Ross is a trusted sales partner who has a passion for creating positive outcomes for students and staff alike. In his role, Ross acts as a liaison between school needs and Transeo’s software solutions. His hope at Transeo is to support staff, students’ traditional and nontraditional career goals, and equip schools with the most comprehensive data available to ensure ongoing success.

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Bob Peacock
Bob Peacock
Director of Engineering

Bob is passionate about technology that makes a difference. He believes that the right application of innovation, ingenuity, and team coaching is the recipe for great customer solutions. With nearly 30 years of public-facing technology experience across large and small solution providers he is a seasoned technologist.


Bob served as a lead architect at System Innovations/Financial Data Planning Corp, before transitioning to director of technology at SunGard Insurance Systems, vice president of implementation at leading fintech solution provider, Insurance Technologies, vice president of application development with Flatiron Capital / Wells Fargo Bank, NA, and CTO of Spyder, Inc.


When not rolling up his sleeves and building solutions, Bob loves traveling the world and exploring the mountains of Colorado where he lives.

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Aaron Mends
Aaron Mends
Director of Partnerships

Aaron is a former college athlete who is passionate about academics and alternative learning opportunities for students. As Aaron has grown in his career, he is exceedingly passionate about helping students acquire the skills and self-confidence needed to achieve academic excellence. Here at Transeo, Aaron uses his inside knowledge as a former substitute teacher to help school districts by providing them with tools and insight to ensure that students needs are met in post-secondary success.

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Steve Biondi
Steve Biondi
Director of Partnerships

With over 7 years of experience in the EdTech space, Steve is an expert at knowing what products improve the lives of students, teachers, administrators, and parents.

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Kara Pontius
Kara Pontius
Customer Success Manager

A seasoned Transeo user and implementer, Kara is excited to bring her experiences as Career Readiness Coordinator to the Transeo team and assist school districts in streamlining their work-based learning processes. Kara entered career tech education six years ago, as a Career Services Specialist, where she helped to provide career exploration and planning services to roughly 20,000 K-12 students. Kara transitioned to support Eastland-Fairfield staff and students with their work-based learning measures in 2020. She was instrumental in converting the district's program from paper processes to a new digital tracking and management system, through the implementation of Transeo, and was responsible for providing professional development to staff, students, and business partners regarding the new WBL compliance measures in the state of Ohio. Kara's passion for students and business helped bridge the gap between classroom instruction and industry needs to build student skills and a pipeline for the next generation workforce.

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Jessica Ozuna
Jessica Ozuna
Customer Success Manager

With over 17 years of experience in education, Jessica brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. Jessica has worked as a classroom teacher, administrator, and CTE Director in districts of varying sizes throughout Texas. Her expertise includes creating aligned curricula for CTE programs and providing students with opportunities to earn professional certifications. Jessica strongly believes in the power of real-world learning experiences to prepare students for a successful future. Her passion for supporting educators in providing quality learning experiences for students makes her an invaluable asset to Transeo's customers.

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Lauren Armack
Lauren Armack
Learning and Development Manager

As Transeo’s content Developer, Lauren believes quality and thoughtful training empowers people, makes them feel confident, and helps them to be confident with the products they are using. She is proud that Transeo allows educators and students to take control of their life-readiness experience to instill those same feelings of empowerment.

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Casey Wyatt
Casey Wyatt
Technical Implementation Manager

With years of technical implementation under her belt, Casey designs and develops training content to enhance customers’ learning and skill-acquisition goals. Paired with her academic experience in anthropology, she’s committed to using natural human behavior to influence training and technology.


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Kelly Zura
Kelly Zura
Technical Implementation Specialist

With many years of experience working as a SIS administrator within public education, Kelly now helps customers to implement Transeo into their district’s SIS. She is passionate about education and helping students prepare for their post-secondary journey.

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Don Fraynd
Don Fraynd
CEO & Co-founder
Linkedin
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is passionate about the importance of community service learning and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready.

Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Joe Diaz
Joe Diaz
Director of Customer Success
Linkedin
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is passionate about the importance of community service learning and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready.

Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Alyson Emmett
Alyson Emmett
Customer Success Director
Linkedin
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is passionate about the importance of community service learning and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready.

Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Beth Ferrigno
Beth Ferrigno
Strategic Sales Consultant
Linkedin
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is passionate about the importance of community service learning and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready.

Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dustin M. Seemann
Dustin M. Seemann
VP of CONTENT & CURRICULUM
Linkedin
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is passionate about the importance of community service learning and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready.

Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Ken Broermann
Ken Broermann
VP of Sales
Linkedin
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is passionate about the importance of community service learning and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready.

Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Natalie Smith
Natalie Smith
Customer Success Specialist
Linkedin
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is passionate about the importance of community service learning and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready.

Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Jimmy McDermott
CTO and Co-Founder
Linkedin
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is passionate about the importance of community service learning and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready.

Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Jake Ashley
Strategic sales consultant
Linkedin
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is passionate about the importance of community service learning and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready.

Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Jessica Block
Senior SDR manager
Linkedin
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is passionate about the importance of community service learning and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready.

Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Matthew Curtis
VP of product and success
Linkedin
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is passionate about the importance of community service learning and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready.

Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Andrew Edwards
Backend developer
Linkedin
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is passionate about the importance of community service learning and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready.

Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Hannah Gerstner
Director of marketing
Linkedin
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is passionate about the importance of community service learning and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready.

Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Wendy McKethan
Customer success director
Linkedin
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is passionate about the importance of community service learning and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready.

Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is passionate about the importance of community service learning and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready.

Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Jaleesia Roberson
Technical specialist
Linkedin

Meet Our Boardd

Emily Foote
Osage Venture Partners
Stephen Smith
Intellispark

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