DisruptED

As K-12 schools across the U.S. struggle to recover from the learning loss and emotional fallout of the pandemic, a deeper reckoning is underway—one that challenges the very foundation of who’s responsible for educating our children. Despite billions in federal relief, a third of U.S. students are not even reading at a basic level by eighth grade, and educators are increasingly pointing to a missing ingredient: meaningful community involvement.

What if K-12 schools alone can’t close the gap? What if true transformation requires all of us—parents, nonprofits, businesses, even churches—to step up?

In this inaugural episode of DisruptED’s new K-12 series, host Ron J. Stefanski and co-host Dr. Caesar Mickens Jr. make the case that building an “infrastructure of community learners” is the only sustainable way forward for American education. This conversation sets the tone for a series that won’t shy away from tough questions—or complex solutions.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why middle school is the make-or-break point for dropout risk—and how communities can intervene early

How mentorship, community programs, and youth entrepreneurship can reframe the urban education narrative

What it takes to build a “conspiracy of the caring” that turns potential into possibility for every child

Dr. Caesar Mickens Jr. is an education expert with over 25 years of experience in instructional innovation, leadership development, and community-based learning strategies. He spent a decade as Director at Jobs for the Future, driving workforce and education reform initiatives, and currently consults through CMJ Educational Innovation. Holding a Ph.D. in Educational/Instructional Technology from Wayne State University, Dr. Mickens is known for his expertise in teacher training, public speaking, and systemic school transformation.

As organizations race to integrate AI into every corner of business, an equally urgent conversation is emerging: How do we ensure this adoption doesn’t widen existing equity gaps? AI is both a disruptive force and an opportunity engine—recent data shows that AI adoption among HR professionals jumped to 72% in 2025, up from 58% in 2024, underscoring how deeply AI is reshaping recruiting, workforce planning, and employee development.

So, how can companies leverage AI while actively practicing inclusion—not just as a moral imperative, but as a competitive talent strategy?

Welcome to DisruptED. In this second episode with Faith Johnson, Vice President of Global Human Resources at TEKsystems, and John Lullen, Managing Executive of Marketplace Inclusion, host Ron J Stefanski dives deeper into how AI and inclusion are transforming the talent landscape. Together, they explore how technology and human-centered workforce strategies not only coexist but amplify each other’s impact.

In this episode, they discuss:

How TEKsystems is embedding AI tools internally to support leadership, automate tasks, and create career mobility.

The role of marketplace inclusion in bridging digital divides, especially in new roles like data center technicians and prompt engineers.

Why diversity in AI development is essential to mitigating bias and fostering true innovation.

Faith Johnson is a seasoned HR executive with over 25 years of experience at Allegis Group and TEKsystems, where she currently leads global human resources, talent acquisition, and corporate social responsibility. Her expertise spans strategic HR leadership, employee relations, inclusion, and building talent pipelines for a global tech services organization. She also actively supports workforce development through board roles with Per Scholas and the One Love Foundation.

John Lullen is a workforce inclusion strategist with over 12 years of experience at TEKsystems, where he currently leads Marketplace Inclusion initiatives that support clients in achieving workforce modernization, inclusive hiring, and supplier engagement goals. With a strong background in technology and talent services, he has held multiple leadership roles in operations, sales, and talent strategy across various U.S. markets. John also contributes to broader social impact efforts through advisory roles with Per Scholas, Experience Futures, and Blacks in Technology.

In today’s fast-evolving digital marketplace, attention is scarce, and trust even more so. In an era of remote work, AI-driven marketing, and constant digital noise, storytelling has emerged as one of the most powerful tools to cut through the clutter. In fact, research shows that people who used storytelling techniques to remember information recalled 7 times more than those who used standard study methods—demonstrating how narrative structure significantly boosts retention and impact.

So, what makes storytelling such a crucial business strategy now? And how can leaders and organizations harness it not just to sell, but to inspire, differentiate, and build lasting relationships?

In this episode of DisruptED, host Ron J. Stefanski welcomes longtime colleague and friend Daniel Sieger, founder of Stories for Good, to explore why storytelling isn’t just helpful anymore—it’s essential. Together, they discuss how the modern communications landscape has transformed, what makes a story resonate, and how authenticity can be a competitive advantage.

Key takeaways from the episode:

Storytelling builds trust and breaks through noise. In a world where 56% of salespeople say their biggest challenge is getting a client’s attention, a compelling personal narrative can be the difference-maker.

Authenticity and passion are key. People instinctively recognize when a story feels fake. Sieger emphasizes that practiced, real storytelling creates human connection, even over Zoom.

Leaders must take an “outside-in” approach. Organizations often underestimate their own impact. By listening to customer stories, companies can uncover their real value and build better narratives.

Daniel Sieger is a veteran brand strategist and storytelling expert with over 30 years of experience leading communications for top companies including Toyota, McGraw-Hill Education, and Cengage. He specializes in crafting compelling brand narratives that drive engagement, leading successful rebranding efforts and launching high-impact content strategies such as Cengage Unlimited and Today’s Learner. As founder of Stories for Good, Sieger now helps mission-driven organizations develop authentic, memorable storytelling across media, marketing, and leadership platforms.

As AI continues to reshape education, institutions face a growing challenge in ensuring students succeed without compromising engagement or integrity. Today’s college students are often juggling jobs, family, and coursework, leading to limited study time and increased dropout risk. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 40% of full-time undergraduates and 74% of part-time students were employed while enrolled in 2020, highlighting a growing challenge for student success. Most students now work while supporting themselves through school, which often reduces academic performance and increases the risk of leaving school altogether, amplifying the need for tools that promote efficient and connected learning.

Can AI help students study smarter, without replacing the need to think deeply or learn independently?

This episode of DisruptED, hosted by Darin Francis, features Dr. Perry Samson, Co-founder and CEO of LearningClues. He explains how this AI-powered platform helps students engage more confidently, study more efficiently, and stay connected to their learning over time. The conversation traces Dr. Samson’s journey from atmospheric science professor to edtech entrepreneur and examines how LearningClues is advancing equity, personalization, and long-term student success across diverse learning environments.

Highlights from the episode:

Reducing Study Barriers Through AI – LearningClues helps students find specific course material fast, offering citations linked to LMS content, lecture videos, and even past courses.

Supporting Belonging and Persistence – Designed with first-gen and non-traditional students in mind, the platform personalizes study feedback and tracks proficiency to improve course completion.

Preventing AI Shortcuts and Cheating – A unique “coach mode” prompts reflection instead of direct answers, guiding students through problem-solving to support deeper learning.

Dr. Perry Samson is an award-winning educator, entrepreneur, and technologist known for pioneering work in educational technology and atmospheric sciences. He co-founded Weather Underground, a major weather data platform, and later developed LearningClues, an AI-powered tool that enhances student engagement and personalized learning. As a longtime professor at the University of Michigan and a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society, he has led groundbreaking research and innovation at the intersection of science, data, and learning.

In a workforce reshaped by automation, accelerated AI adoption, and persistent labor shortages, the demand for skilled tech talent has never been more urgent—or more difficult to meet. The traditional pipelines, namely college degrees and four-year institutions, are no longer producing enough candidates to meet the explosive growth in tech roles. With tech jobs expected to grow at twice the rate of the overall workforce in the next decade, organizations must urgently reimagine how and where they find talent.

So, how do companies build a future-ready, inclusive tech workforce when the old rules no longer apply?

In this episode of DisruptED, host Ron J. Stefanski sits down with Faith Johnson, Vice President of Global Human Resources at TEKsystems, and John Lullen, Managing Executive of Marketplace Inclusion, to explore the changing dynamics of talent development in the technology sector. From non-traditional training programs to responsible AI integration, this conversation delves into how TEKsystems is tackling the tech talent skills gap—and making a social impact while doing it.

Key takeaways from the conversation…

Alternative Pathways Are the New Normal: TEKsystems’ partnership with organizations like Per Scholas helps individuals without traditional degrees train for in-demand tech roles through immersive, often short-term programs.

Inclusion Is a Business Imperative: Diverse teams bring better solutions, and intentional workforce development strategies—like inclusive hiring and supplier engagement—are core to TEKsystems’ mission.

AI Changes Everything: With the rapid advancement of generative and agentic AI, companies must not only adopt these technologies, but also ensure employees of all ages and backgrounds are trained to use them responsibly.

Faith Johnson is Vice President of Global Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, and Corporate Social Responsibility at TEKsystems, with over 25 years of experience driving strategic HR and workforce development initiatives across the Allegis Group. She leads global efforts in employee relations, recruiting, DEI, and corporate impact, aligning business growth with community engagement and talent transformation. A long-time advocate for inclusive hiring and social responsibility, she also serves on the national board of Per Scholas and the advisory board of the One Love Foundation.

John Lullen is the Managing Executive of Marketplace Inclusion at TEKsystems, where he leads inclusive hiring, workforce modernization, and supplier diversity strategies for multinational clients. With over 12 years in the tech and talent services industry, he has held various leadership roles including Business Operations Manager and Strategic Account Lead. Lullen also contributes to broader industry impact as a board member with organizations like Per Scholas and Experience Futures, driving social innovation and inclusive workforce development.

The labor market is evolving quickly and traditional higher education faces increasing pressure to demonstrate real-world value. According to Strada Education Network, just 63 percent of college graduates feel their education was worth the cost. With shifting learner expectations and growing employer demand for work-ready skills, universities and employers are confronting a critical question: How can higher education better align with workforce needs to support long-term learner success?

That question sits at the center of this latest episode of DisruptED, hosted by Ron J. Stefanski and guest host Darin Francis, CEO and Managing Partner at Harbinger Lane. Their guest, Stephanie Tsales, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at InStride, provided some insights on how corporate learning partnerships, nontraditional credentials, and strategic education benefits are redefining career pathways and closing long-standing gaps between academia and employment.

The key topics of conversation were…

The emphasis on the need to expand beyond traditional degrees by offering stackable, skills-based learning options, such as bootcamps, English language learning, and high school completion, to accommodate the diverse needs of working adult learners.

Tsales described how InStride works with corporate partners to tailor learning programs to real-time business needs, using curated offerings to help workers gain competencies for emerging roles—particularly those at risk of automation.

She also discussed the persistent misalignment between university leaders who believe graduates are job-ready and employers who disagree, and how InStride serves as a strategic intermediary to bring both sectors into alignment.

Stephanie Tsales brings over two decades of experience as a change agent in higher education. Before joining InStride, she played a pivotal role in university partnerships at Deltak, later acquired by Wiley, where she championed online program development long before it became mainstream. At InStride, she now leads strategic partnerships that help corporations provide transformative education benefits aligned with workforce goals.

The convergence of human-centered design and education innovation is reshaping how edtech ventures emerge and scale. As AI enables hyper-efficiency and bootstrapped entrepreneurship becomes more viable, the real differentiator is empathy—founders who listen deeply to users before building solutions. A McKinsey study of 300 public companies found that design-led organizations significantly outperformed their peers, with 32% greater revenue growth and 56% higher total shareholder returns over five years. The data signals what forward-thinking education founders are increasingly embracing: design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a business advantage.

So, how does a design-first mindset actually lead to better education ventures—and can it be taught, replicated, and scaled?

In this episode of DisruptED, guest host Darin Francis, CEO of Harbinger Lane, sits down with Michael Narea, co-founder of Transcend Network, to explore how human-centered design shaped his path from chemical engineer to co-founder of a startup accelerator. Together, they unpack how founders today can build more sustainable, user-centric companies by focusing on real needs—not hype.

Here’s what you’ll learn from this episode:

How Michael’s early exposure to human-centered design at Northwestern University shaped his career trajectory away from engineering and toward education innovation.

Why emotional support and founder coaching are critical missing pieces in the early-stage edtech landscape, and how Transcend Network aims to fill that gap.

The emerging role of AI in freeing up time across parent, worker, and learner personas, and how startups can use that shift to create more meaningful products.

Michael Narea is the founder of a startup accelerator and an experience designer with deep expertise in education innovation, community building, and human-centered design. As co-founder of Transcend Network, he supports early-stage founders around the world in creating learner- and worker-focused ventures, drawing on prior experience at GSVlabs, Moringa School, and Sunlight Technologies. With a career spanning edtech, virtual learning, and global facilitation, he specializes in helping mission-driven teams design impactful, scalable learning products and cultures.

Today’s workforce is facing profound disruption, driven by automation, AI, and shrinking entry-level job opportunities. According to SignalFire’s 2025 State of Talent report, entry-level hiring in tech has dropped by 50% from pre-pandemic levels. In this shifting landscape, younger workers aren’t just seeking jobs—they’re demanding agency, feedback, and purpose. Game-based learning models like the Career Game Loop are gaining traction because they mirror the real-world dynamics of growth: nonlinear learning, experimentation, and persistence through challenges.

How can video game design principles help the next generation navigate an unstable job market and reshape the way we build skills, solve problems, and stay engaged?

In this second installment of the DisruptED series, host Ron Stefanski welcomes back Jessica Lindl, Vice President of Ecosystem Growth at Unity, to unpack how game design is redefining career development. From agency and failure-as-feedback to peer learning and mission-driven work, Lindl shares how the next generation is building skills and lives with intention, adaptability, and grit.

Key Highlights from the Conversation:

• Game Design as Learning Design: Lindl breaks down how mechanics like choice, exploration, and “failing forward” make game-inspired models more effective than traditional instruction.

• Gen Z’s Purpose-Driven Mindset: Today’s young professionals are motivated by social impact, continuous learning, and alignment with personal values, not just promotions.

• Resilience Through Play: Gaming teaches users to embrace uncertainty, seek mentorship, and keep going—skills now essential in a disrupted economy.

Jessica Lindl is Vice President of Ecosystem Growth at Unity Technologies and the bestselling author of The Career Game Loop: Learn to Earn in the New Economy. She brings over two decades of experience leading global initiatives in education, workforce development, and social impact. At Unity, she has spearheaded programs that scale career access through game-based learning and digital upskilling, reaching millions worldwide.

As AI, automation, and immersive tech accelerate disruption, the future of work is being reshaped faster than most institutions can adapt. Entry-level roles for recent graduates are shrinking, traditional degrees are being questioned, and lifelong careers are being replaced by continuous reinvention. In this climate, the most valuable assets are no longer technical certifications alone, but durable human skills like adaptability, communication, and critical thinking. Models like the Career Game Loop offer a way forward, helping individuals build skill resilience through iterative, human-centered growth.

What role should human skills play in an AI-powered workforce, and how can workers future-proof themselves without relying solely on degrees?

In this final episode of a three-part DisruptED series, host Ron Stefanski once again engages with Jessica Lindl, Vice President of Ecosystem Growth at Unity. Together, they explore how the Career Game Loop model can prepare workers for a world of accelerating change. The conversation spans the limits of traditional education, the rise of learning-while-earning, and why networks—especially weak ties—are more powerful than a perfect resume. Lindl brings perspective shaped by her book, The Career Game Loop: Learn to Earn in the New Economy, which explores how game-based thinking supports lifelong learning and career adaptability.

Key Highlights from the Conversation:

• Durable Skills as a Strategic Advantage: Lindl emphasizes that skills like collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking compound over time and are more valuable than ever in an AI-influenced economy.

• Beyond Degrees: From trades to tech, Jessica shares why aligning learning paths with market demand and real-world experience is critical for career growth.

• The Power of Weak Ties: One in 12 informational interviews leads to a job offer, compared to just one in 200 resumes. Lindl explains why relationship-building is a game-changing strategy.

Jessica Lindl is Vice President of Ecosystem Growth at Unity, where she drives global career access through digital learning, gaming, and scalable workforce programs. A longtime edtech leader, she has launched high-impact initiatives spanning social impact, ESG, and sustainability, generating double-digit growth and reaching millions of learners. Her career includes executive roles across gaming and education companies, where she built platforms that blend immersive technology with skill development to power the future of work.

As traditional career paths break down, economic mobility is being redefined by adaptability, not academic credentials. Today, 52% of college graduates are underemployed a year after graduation, working in roles that don’t require a four-year degree. Meanwhile, networking strategies like informational interviews yield one job offer per 12 conversations—far more effective than the one-in-200 odds of resume submissions. These realities underscore the need for new workforce models, like the Career Game Loop, which prioritize agility, skill-building, and game-informed strategies to help individuals navigate an evolving labor market.

Can gamified career navigation unlock more inclusive access to middle-class jobs—and help close the skills gap faster than legacy education systems?

In the first of a three-part DisruptED series, host Ron Stefanski sits down with Jessica Lindl, Vice President of Ecosystem Growth at Unity, to explore how her work—and her bestselling book The Career Game Loop: Learn to Earn in the New Economy—reimagines career development through game design, skill-building, and opportunity alignment.

Key Highlights from the Conversation:

Gaming as a Learning Engine: Lindl explains how high-quality video games build durable skills like collaboration and problem-solving skills that employers increasingly demand.

The Career Game Loop Framework: She introduces a four-step model—Career Quest, Level Up, Job Hunt, Job Craft—that helps individuals adapt to a fast-changing labor market.

Unity’s Scalable Pathways: Over one million students now use Unity’s certification and learning tools annually, bypassing traditional four-year degrees to access entry-level tech jobs.

Jessica Lindl is a senior executive and bestselling author with over two decades of leadership in education technology, workforce development, and social impact. At Unity Technologies, she launched and scaled global education and sustainability initiatives, driving double-digit annual growth and expanding access to 21st-century careers for millions. Her career spans leading game-based learning companies, managing multi-million-dollar charitable funds, and pioneering scalable upskilling programs that blend gaming, learning, and social innovation.