Russell Greiff
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.
Rusty Greiff joined New Markets Venture Partners in 2014 as a Senior Advisor. He has over 15 years experience in launching and running early-stage and large-scale education, social entrepreneurship and interactive technology businesses.
Rusty is Learnist’s (formerly Grockit which was successfully sold to Kaplan Test Prep) Chief Strategy & Development Officer. Learnist is one of the fastest growing global consumer and mobile learning companies on the Web – providing experts, teachers and learners the chance to curate and share multi-media learning boards in a global knowledge network.
Prior to joining Grockit/Learnist, Rusty held senior executive positions at USA Interactive and Educate, Inc. including Hooked on Phonics, Catapult Learning and Sylvan Learning, where he lead Sylvan’s national college prep and readiness business. He has advised and served on Boards of national charter schools, edtech companies, virtual schools and national nonprofits in education and economic development.
Rusty began his career working in the Clinton Administration launching the AmeriCorps program, and for the Senate Democratic Policy Committee and Senator John Kerry on education and technology policy. Rusty graduated with a B.S. and Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude honors in political science and history from Washington University in St. Louis as well as an MBA from Harvard University. He has completed coursework at the London School of Economics and is a former Coro Leadership Fellow.
