Company History
SynapticMash, INC offers learning management systems and programs based on its LearningQube platform that empowers schools with an environment for creative expression, curriculum management, data collection, as well as intelligent research results through virtual classrooms, assessments, gradebooks, and attendance record-keeping; and infrastructure services. SynapticMash, INC was founded in 2007 and is based in Seattle, Washington.
Officers
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan joins the company from Raycliff Capital, where he is a partner, and has been responsible for the firm’s investment in SynapticMash. At Raycliff, Jonathan has focused in the areas of technology and energy, directing the firm’s investments in both of those verticals. Prior to Raycliff, Jonathan held various executive finance and corporate development roles with a number of companies in the technology and media industries. Most recently, Jonathan served in this capacity at PRN, the largest US out of home television media network, where he ultimately oversaw the company’s $285 million sale to Thomson SA. Prior to PRN, Jonathan performed in similar capacities for GE/NBC’s online arm, NBC Internet, as well as with other technology startups.
Jonathan began his career in business assurance services at Ernst & Young LLP, in the firm’s technology, communication and media practice. Jonathan is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Ramona Pierson, SynpaticMash Founder and Chief Scientific Officer
Ramona brings extensive experience with the PK-20 education world as an academician, educator, district administrator, technology leader and change agent in large urban school districts.
Her career began as a neuroscientist in university hospitals, which led to her advocating for students with learning challenges in the public school systems. Her innovative work with education spurred her to develop enterprise level software solutions for data, assessment, and communication systems specifically for education. In 2005, she developed The Source, an online resource for the Seattle Public Schools that allows parents and students to view classroom assignments, grades, attendance, school news and other items.
In 2007, she founded SynapticMash to take her concepts to the next level, creating a range of online tools for educators, parents and students.
Ramona also founded Learning without Borders (L3RN Foundation), which provides technology and training to educators and learners since 2004.
Joe Egan, VP of Client Services
Joe has been working toward improving education though the use of technology throughout his career. He has most recently served as the Chief Operations Officer for the Department of Early Learning and Chief Information Officer for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. This is where he provided strategic direction and oversight for the implementation of the student identification system, assessment management applications and a multitude of web-based tools focused at improving decision making for school districts.
During Joe's tenure within the educational sector he not only has been focused on improving decision making through the use of data but changing what is actually taking place in the classroom. Joe is passionate about educational technology or how technology can be used to influence instruction. This was demonstrated by his participation in creating the first education technology division for the State of Washington.
Prior to serving for both the Governor and the State Superintendent, Joe had worked extensively managing and building systems focused towards finance, marketing and online sales in the private sector.
Steven Velozo, Chief Technology Architect
Steven has extensive experience in data modeling, application architecture and software engineering. He founded Opus Designs, which developed several successful and ground-breaking data analytics applications for the broadcast media industry. Earlier in his career, he also served as vice president at Office Centers, Inc.
Leah Gray, Chief Financial Officer
Leah has over 15 years of experience in all aspects of accounting and financial management. During the past five years, she has worked with technology companies in business planning and forecasting, acquisitions, setting up financial infrastructure, and supporting all aspects of the core business. Earlier in her career, Leah worked overseas as a Director in the Global Capital Markets Group with PricewaterhouseCoopers and led several successful IPO’s. Leah is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the AICPA.
Glenn Chapin, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Glenn has nearly 30 years of experience in sales and executive sales management with leading educational software solution providers who implement technology based curriculum and management systems that enhance teaching and student learning. Most recently he was VP of K-12 Sales for Scientific Learning where he was responsible for overall sales strategy and execution, including designing, building and managing the company's sales organization, sales channels, key sales metrics, processes and sales resource mix. He brings with him a consistent track record of building a sales culture which is goals oriented, while simultaneously growing sales, revenue, improving profit, increasing customer satisfaction while dramatically impacting student achievement.
Board of Directors
Debra Chrapaty, Investor/Supporter
Chrapaty is the corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Global Foundation Services, responsible for strategy and delivery of the foundational platform for Microsoft Online Services including globalization, operational infrastructure, networking and datacenters. Her organization supports MSN and Windows Live branded services, Microsoft communication and collaboration services as well as 150 additional Microsoft online services and web portals.
Previously, Chrapaty was senior vice president of technology of Organic Inc., an Internet marketing company, where she led development of the company's technical strategy, and also served as COO for AllBusiness Inc. Chrapaty is perhaps most well known for her work as president & COO of E*TRADE where she designed and developed the company’s award winning technology and destination site which won the Smithsonian Award for Technical Excellence. She was named Information Week's Chief of the Year for 1998. CIO Magazine named Chrapaty one of the great thinkers for the next millennium.
Bippy Siegal
Siegal is an entrepreneur and investor with a solid track record of starting and growing successful international and domestic companies. He has extensive knowledge and business experience in the areas of financial services, information technology, international trade, and oil and gas exploration.
Siegal serves as CEO of Raycliff Capital, a private equity firm he founded that is headquartered in New York with a satellite office in San Francisco that invests across a diverse range of sectors including financial services, information technology, and real estate. He has invested in and served as advisor for many growth companies, including Modern Bank. He is also a principal of Crystal Energy Group, an oil and gas exploration and production company.
Previously, Siegal served as CEO of BigVine (acquired by AllBusiness.com), which he founded and financed with venture capital from leading investment firms. Mr. Siegal also co-founded and served as co-president of AmeriCash (acquired by American Express Company), a network of stand-alone automated teller machines, which he helped grow from startup through national expansion to acquisition.
Chris W. Brody
Chris Brody is chairman of Vantage Venture Partners, a private investment partnership. From 1972 to 1998, Chris was a partner at Warburg, Pincus, where he served as a member of its Operating Committee which managed the private equity and venture capital activities of the firm. He is a member of the board of directors of Intuit, Inc., and several privately held companies. His nonprofit activities include the boards of the Lasker Medical Foundation, the United Nations Association of the USA, and the Mount Sinai Medical Center and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Gerri Elliott
As corporate vice president of Microsoft's Worldwide Public Sector organization, Gerri Elliott led a team of more than 1,900 sales and marketing professionals serving government, education and non-privatized healthcare customers in more than 100 countries.
In this key leadership role, Elliott oversaw Microsoft's work in providing innovative technology solutions and forward-thinking programs to help public sector organizations provide efficient and effective public services to their citizens and build the capacity of their populations. Elliott was a member of the board for Microsoft Unlimited Potential, which develops new business models and technologies to help close the digital divide and bring social and economic opportunity to the estimated five billion people not yet realizing the benefits of technology. Building on a long-standing commitment to provide genuine business value to customers, Elliott also led the World Class Selling initiative across the entire company.
Board of Advisors
JJ McKay, Corporate / Non-Profit Consultant
JJ McKay's experience in building strong organizations and business models reflects his desire to create stronger communities as a whole. With proven success in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors, he continues to maximize his global connections and negotiation skills to create win/win results for his clients. During fourteen-plus years as senior vice president at the American Heart Association, McKay built nationally recognized community organizations. As a recognized leader, he established benchmarks in both fundraising and organization process. His many accomplishments include spearheading the single largest fundraising walk in the United States, facilitating an appearance on the Oprah show, and playing key roles in establishing internal and external campaigns. McKay's media experience, including work on television, has bought positive attention to organizations and causes close to him.
With a range of experience that encompasses local and national politics and policy making, the life sciences industry, branding and information distribution, JJ McKay and Company focuses on business-growth strategies, community positioning and pipeline development. McKay currently serves on the corporate boards of Reign Capital Management, Fiatlux3D, and as a corporate advisor to Atigeo. Noted for his wide range of contacts and extensive networking skills, McKay is also visibly active in the Northwest philanthropic arena. He currently serves as trustee for Seattle Opera, Pilchuck School of Glass, as well as numerous additional boards and committees.
Stefan Reyniak
As a Managing Director of Raycliff Capital, a private equity firm, Mr. Reyniak is a director of Modern Bank N.A. and an advisor to various growth companies in the Raycliff portfolio. Mr. Reyniak also co-founded Catamount Ventures L.P., a seed and early stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco with investments in a diverse portfolio of information technology companies. Earlier in his career, Mr. Reyniak was a transactional attorney focused on corporate mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Reyniak received MBA and JD degrees from Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School and a BA from Columbia University.
Sue Collins, CollinsConsults
Sue Collins brings over 35 years of experience in the education and technology fields, well-known for her ability to bridge education, technology and public policy. In 2000, she was appointed by President Clinton to the Web-based Education Commission, and was named by eSchoolNews as one of the top 30 movers and shakers in education. Collins has also held industry board seats at ISTE and SIIA. She has been an involved with education technology organizations such as the CEO Forum, NSBA Foundation and the AASA Internet Standards Development Board.
Collins began her career in the education industry as a frontline educator, spending 5 years teaching science at the junior high and middle school level. After serving as a district science coordinator, she became director of instructional service and technology for the Washington superintendent of public instruction. There, she designed and established regional educational technology centers, one of the first such programs in the country.
In the private sector, Collins developed and implemented strategic education initiatives for Apple Computer, including development of educational partnerships, development of multimedia-based strategic planning tools for educators and public policy creation. She led the development of K-12 and higher education initiatives at Compaq Computer, establishing them as a major player in the marketplace. Sue consults with education and technology businesses.
Bob Longo
Bob Longo is the EVP of "The Americas" for Etech Group, makers of Studywiz Spark a web-based K-12 Learning Environment. Before Etech, he was president of Apple Inc.'s PowerSchool, a K-12 student information systems (SIS) company. Previously Longo was the CEO of Carnegie Learning, Inc., an education software & publishing company spun-out of Carnegie Mellon University, where he was recognized by Ernst & Young, as an "Entrepreneur of the Year."
He co-founded Revive Technologies, was president of Surefind Information Inc., and VP of Business Development for Westinghouse Communications. Over a 10-year span he held sales and marketing management roles at Apple Computer and NeXT, Inc. focused on the K-12 and higher education markets. Bob’s technology career began at Datapoint Corporation where he was Director of Multinational Marketing.
Today, Longo advises education technology ventures Aquaminds, and Inigral. He has been an advisor to Carnegie Mellon University’s Innovation Technology Center and GSIA FAST Program, Innovation Works/PA Ben Franklin Fund, Duquesne University’s Business School, John Carroll University’s Communications Department, School Planning & Management Magazine and served on the Boards of Directors of Hemomax, Inc. and the Pittsburgh Technology Council.
Anna Collins
As general manager, Entertainment & Devices Division Global Support, Anna Collins is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of the division’s support operations. The E&D Division is composed of five main businesses: the Interactive Entertainment Business; the Mobile Communications Business, the TV, Video and Music Business, and the Specialized Devices and Applications Business, which includes the Hardware Group, Microsoft Surface, Office for Mac, Microsoft Auto and Windows Embedded software.
Collins was most recently the general manager of Client Service Operations, as part of the Online Business Division. For the past four and half years, she was responsible for scaling Microsoft’s global search and display advertising operations including end to end responsibility for customer service, support and financial operations, growing revenue from $1.6 billion to over $2.5 billion across all customer segments. She crafted and executed a scalable service operations strategy for the advertising business. In addition to successfully leading Client Service Operations, she received the 2007 Women’s Leadership Conference Outstanding Manager for Women Award – GM level.
Prior to Microsoft, Collins was senior vice president at aQuantive and led the media and client service groups. Before aQuantive, Anna had a varied career in healthcare and retail doing business development, marketing, customer service and operations management at Johnson & Johnson and CVS/pharmacy. She also served four years in the Air Force in finance roles. She received her MBA from the Harvard Business School and AB in Economics from Harvard College.
eGuardian, SynapticMash Join Forces to Help Children Use Technology Efficiently, Safely
December 2008 - eGuardian, the only online protection service to block predators effectively and make search engines and social networking sites safer for children, today announced its partnership with SynapticMash, based in Seattle.
The two companies are working together to expand technology's advantages to school districts, parents and students in a connected world. SynapticMash provides schools with a giant leap forward in increasing the student achievement through its LearningQube platform, an end-to-end education management technology that facilitates communication among students, teachers and parents. eGuardian adds a layer of protection that eliminates any barriers to full open communication channels.
