Ilya Zeldin

CEO
Before 2gnoMe, for more than 15 years, Ilya built technology-led companies and managed the global cloud program at Dell Software. The idea for the 2gnoMe concept came after seeing how often good people don't work out in bad teams and how smart visions at the executive level often fail to become actionable for the folks in the field. Now, Ilya is leading 2gnoMe strategy and platform technology. He lives with his family in New York City..

Richard Laine

Education Innovator
Richard Laine was previously Director of Education at the National Governors Association. Before that, Richard served as the Director of Education for The Wallace Foundation, where he led its initiative aimed at strengthening the quality of education leadership and its connection to improving student achievement. Prior to his position at Wallace, Richard was the Director of Education Policy and Initiatives at the Illinois Business Roundtable, the Associate Superintendent for Policy, Planning and Resource Management at the Illinois Board of Education and the Executive Director at the Coalition for Educational Rights.

Jason Schmidt

Education Counsel
Executive Director, Wisconsin CESA 9
Experienced education technology instructor, coach, and administrator with a demonstrated history of working in education. Skilled in Google, Education Technology, instruction, pedagogy, professional development, and information technology. Strong education professional with a Master of Arts (M.A.) focused in Secondary Education and Teaching from University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Troy Lange

Education Counsel
Director, Alternative Licensure for CO BOCES
After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Master’s in Education from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, Troy spent the next 13 years as a school psychologist before taking on his role as the director of Special Projects at Mountain BOCES. He then became its director of special education before taking the helm as executive director.

Amy Jefferis, Ed.D.

Education Counsel
Director of Academic Excellence for the Archdiocese of Portland
Dr. Jefferis is the Associate Superintendent, Director of Academic Excellence for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. Amy has over twenty years of experience teaching in public and Catholic schools, as well as serving as a vice-principal and principal at the elementary and middle school levels. Amy manages professional development, teacher growth, standardized testing, and federal funding for the Department of Catholic Schools, and leads the Curriculum Committee. Oregon state administrative credentials and a Doctorate of Education from Creighton University.

Jill Abbott

Education Counsel
Senior Executive in EdTech, Strategic Thinker
Jill's passion centers on education and helping people reach their maximum potential. With this inspiration and insights gained from a comprehensive background in education reform, personalized learning, assessment, curriculum design, systemic inequities in education, and policy and program development - Jill is exceptionally skilled, bringing diverse groups together with a vision for education innovation.

Bruce Umpstead

Integrations Advisor
Director, State & Regional Engagement for 1EdTech
Bruce Umpstead provides businesses and organizations with thought leadership, strategic direction, and program development services related to education technology, data analytics, and competency-based learning in PK-20 education. From 2007 to 2013, he served as Michigan’s state “EdTech” director where he mastered innovation at-scale. Bruce holds a B.A. in Public Administration and an M.B.A. in Finance and General Management from Michigan State University. Bruce lives in DeWitt, Michigan.