Ray Kelly
New Market Thoughts
Dec 19, 2025
4
min read
News & Updates
Edtech and Workforce Development News Roundup - 12/19
In today's ever-changing world of education and workforce development, technology is increasingly shaping the opportunities available to students, schools, and employers. From online talent marketplaces and cutting-edge edtech tools to personalized support systems and updated regulations, these changes reflect a shared effort to make education more transparent, results-focused, and centered around the learner.
Dec 12, 2025
4
min read
News & Updates
Edtech and Workforce Development News Roundup - 12/12
In today's rapidly evolving workforce Industry, traditional pathways into employment are facing unprecedented challenges, from eroding entry-level opportunities to shifting perceptions of higher education's value. As AI continues to transform skill requirements and job roles, innovative approaches (such as portfolio-based work-based learning, skills-first strategies, and streamlined educational systems) are emerging as vital solutions to bridge gaps and foster economic mobility.
Dec 5, 2025
4
min read
News & Updates
Edtech and Workforce Development News Roundup - 12/05
In this week's News Roundup, the articles featured highlight how the traditional pathways from education to career are facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities. From the widening gap between high school graduation and workforce readiness to the diminishing returns of a college degree, stakeholders across the education and employment sectors are rethinking how we prepare young people for success.
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.
