Kermit Cook, CEO | Penn Foster Group

Kermit is the Chief Executive Officer at Penn Foster Group, a provider of digital and data-driven learning solutions that aim to prepare learners for in-demand skills and jobs. He has over two decades of experience in education, business, and finance. Kermit began his career as a high school physics teacher in St Louis Public Schools with Teach For America. Prior to becoming the CEO at Penn Foster Group, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of the education technology company Cengage Group, where he was responsible for investments to grow its career education offerings. He also led Cengage's K-12 business, along with corporate functions including supply chain, corporate development, and human resources. Prior to Cengage, Kermit worked at the investment firm KKR, ultimately serving as co-head of KKR Capstone in the Americas and as a member of the Portfolio Management Committee.

Andrew Shean, CLO | Penn Foster Group

Kermit is the Chief Executive Officer at Penn Foster Group, a provider of digital and data-driven learning solutions that aim to prepare learners for in-demand skills and jobs. He has over two decades of experience in education, business, and finance. Kermit began his career as a high school physics teacher in St Louis Public Schools with Teach For America. Prior to becoming the CEO at Penn Foster Group, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of the education technology company Cengage Group, where he was responsible for investments to grow its career education offerings. He also led Cengage's K-12 business, along with corporate functions including supply chain, corporate development, and human resources. Prior to Cengage, Kermit worked at the investment firm KKR, ultimately serving as co-head of KKR Capstone in the Americas and as a member of the Portfolio Management Committee.

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Additional Resources:

• Penn Foster Group Website
• Kermit Cook’s LinkedIn Profile
• Andrew Shean’s LinkedIn Profile

Examples of Impact Partnerships:

• LearningMate Website
• Job Corps Website
• Anthology Website
• Guild Website

Recommendations:

• Book: The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday
• Book: The Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle
• Podcast: Edtech Insiders
• Book: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
• Podcast: The LearningMate Podcast Episode 4 - Rethinking General Education: The Responsibility of Higher Education Institutions in Creating Job-Ready Individuals