Ray Kelly
New Market Thoughts
Jul 18, 2025
4
min read
News & Updates
Edtech and Workforce Development News Roundup - 7/18
From preparing graduates for the AI-driven job market to addressing historic disparities rooted in geographic and socioeconomic factors, innovative solutions are essential. Edtech companies, educators, and policymakers are increasingly collaborating to create equitable, future-ready learning environments that empower all students to thrive in an uncertain world.
Jul 11, 2025
4
min read
News & Updates
Edtech and Workforce Development News Roundup - 7/11
From the rising demand for targeted training to tackling chronic absenteeism and preparing teens for future careers, these articles highlight the pivotal role that edtech and workforce development companies can play in shaping a resilient, inclusive, and adaptable workforce.
Jul 4, 2025
4
min read
News & Updates
Edtech and Workforce Development News Roundup - 7/4
The articles in this week's News Roundup collectively highlight the urgent need for a student-centered approach in education, emphasizing relationship-building, inclusivity, and empowerment in the edtech space. From addressing chronic absenteeism through welcoming environments and personalized engagement to leveraging AI tools for tailored instruction, the focus is on creating responsive systems that meet students where they are.
With fifteen year’s experience serving on private equity and venture backed boards of directors, Ray brings a proven ability to govern, collaborate and provide mentorship to growing high performance executive teams. Ray’s personal values, global network and functional skills in marketing, organizational management, and technology development have all proven beneficial in his board and advisory roles.
In addition to his advisory role with New Markets and others, Ray also currently serves as the chair of Hello PLATO, an early-stage education technology business, and as a Trustee for the University of Tampa. Ray successfully helped lead an exit as the independent board director for SaaS company WebInfinity.
He previously served as a CEO and director at Graduation Alliance ( a New Markets success story), Certiport, MidAmerica, and ExecuTrain, all with successful exits and outcomes.
Ray was previously a catalyst for growth in executive positions with several other technology and education industry companies, including Prometric (EdTech company sold to ETS), Mentergy (a publicly traded e-learning provider), NCR Corporation, and Hewlett-Packard’s Retail Industry Organization.
Ray has an MBA and a computer science degree and has authored and presented numerous papers on leadership and technology in more than 100 countries. An active community leader, Ray founded and developed The Cancer Challenge, growing it into one of the world’s premier charity events for cancer prevention and treatment.
As a New Markets senior advisor, Ray is especially interested in helping portfolio firms with overall strategy development, in developing and implementing plans for growth, implementing disruptive technologies, and building high caliber teams.
