Ken Kay CEO and Co-founder (520) 623-2466

Ken Kay has been a major voice in education throughout his illustrious career. In addition to his role as CEO and co-founder of e-Luminate Group, Ken serves as president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (www.21stcenturyskills.org), an organization of both public and private sectors working with stakeholders to reach consensus on how 21st century skills should be incorporated into K-12 curriculum. Ken served as executive director for the CEO Forum (www.ceoforum.org) from 1996 to 2001, facilitating dialogue between leaders in the business, government and education fields. His work with that group produced the StaR Chart (School Technology & Readiness Guide), which is used by schools across the country to make better use of technology in the classroom.

Ken has also served as the founding executive director of the Computer Systems Policy Project (www.cspp.org), co-founder and principal of Infotech Strategies, principal of Podesta Associates, Inc, and spent nearly ten years as a partner of the law firm Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds. He also spent more than 8 years on Capital Hill in numerous roles.

Ken received his law degree in 1976 from the University of Denver and his undergraduate degree from Oberlin College in 1973.

John Kenny COO & Co-founder (202) 585-0202

An education and technology expert with more than 30 years of hands-on, tactical entrepreneurial and management experience, John Kenny specializes in the integration of information technology into education, business and government. He has established a solid reputation as an insightful business, marketing and management strategist and advisor to startup, emerging and established companies. John provides his vast knowledge and expertise to each of e-Luminate Group’s clients.

Prior to his current role as COO and co-founder of e-Luminate Group, John served as CEO and co-founder of Infotech Strategies, president and chief operating officer of U.S. Strategies Corp; vice president and general counsel of Sprint/Southern Pacific Communications Corporation; assistant general counsel of the National Cable Television Association; associate attorney with the Washington, D.C. law firm of Haley, Bader, and Potts; legislative assistant to a U.S. Congressman, law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge; and associate professor/instructor at several academic institutions.

John is currently an adjunct professor at the Catholic University School of Law, where he specializes in law and technology. John received a law degree from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America and his Bachelor of Arts from Providence College.

Crystal Brown Senior Vice President & Co-founder 202-585-0256

A seasoned communications expert with over a decade of PR and Marketing experience, Crystal is recognized for developing “winning” PR campaigns and designing strategic initiatives that deliver high impact and solid results. Her expertise includes media relations, integrated communications strategies, branding, messaging, issues advocacy and crisis communications. As SVP of Market Services and co-founder of e-Luminate Group, Crystal oversees the entire portfolio of Market Leadership and Marketing Communications services and clients.

Crystal has worked with a wide variety of clients during her career, including Fortune 500 corporations, mid-sized companies, and start-up divisions. Over the years, she has partnered with several companies in the education market such as Apex Learning, Blackboard, LeapFrog School, Learning.com, LearningStation, P21, Questia, and Qwizdom to help them achieve PR success, increase brand awareness and secure national, industry and local media exposure.

Prior to her current role, Crystal served as Vice President of Public Relations for Infotech Strategies. Crystal earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Rhetoric and Communication Studies from the University of Virginia. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for DC Action for Children.

Valerie Greenhill Vice President 520-623-2466

As Vice President of Market Leadership Services for e-Luminate Group Valerie is responsible for refining the firm’s strategy and business development for market leadership services including vision and white papers; CEO visibility; executive mentoring; 21st century skill services; product positioning and messaging; and strategic alliances.

Additionally, Valerie supervises market strategy and messaging deliverables for a range of clients including Apex Learning, LeapFrog School, LearningStation and the Partnership for 21 st Century Skills. For the past four years she has led strategic content work for the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, most recently having managed the review of Wisconsin’s state standards revisions in mathematics and English Language Arts. Greenhill also spearheaded the research and development team that launched Route 21 in November 2007, the Partnership’s Web 2.0-enhanced resource dedicated to 21st century skills.

Greenhill earned an M.Ed in Educational Media and Computers from Arizona State University, an M.A. in English from the University of Arizona, and a B.A. from Vassar College.

Terry Crane, Ed. D. Senior Education Advisor (972) 702-0590

Dr. Therese "Terry" Crane has more than 30 years of experience as an educator, business executive, and technology expert. Terry has been widely recognized as one of the nation's most innovative leaders in educational technology. In 1999, eSchool News selected Terry as one of the "Impact 30"--top movers and shakers for educational technology for the decade. As the Senior Education Advisor to e-Luminate Group, she applies her understanding of technology to help companies solve educational problems, improve student achievement, and foster teacher development.

Terry was the former vice president for Education and Family Products at AOL. She was responsible for the education strategy and initiatives, including AOL@SCHOOL. She previously served as president of Compass Learning, formerly Jostens Learning Corporation, where she oversaw the management of the company's core K-12 software business and served as the key liaison to the education community. In the 90's, she led Apple Computer's highly successful, multibillion-dollar North American Education Division.

Terry has a doctoral degree in educational leadership and a master’s in early childhood education from the University of North Texas. Terry earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Texas at Austin. Terry serves on several boards and has previously been the co-chairman of the national CEO Forum for Education and Technology and chairman of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

Karen Bruett Senior Marketing Advisor

Karen Bruett has over 20 Years experience in Sales, Marketing and Business Development in the Education and Public Sector Markets (K12, Higher Education, State/Local Government). She has an MBA in Marketing from the University of Texas at Austin, with an emphasis on sales, marketing communications, and business strategy.

Bruett is a 17 year veteran of Dell, Inc, where she held a variety of executive positions including Vice President of K12 US Sales, Vice President of K12 Solutions and Alliances, and Director of Education Marketing. In these roles she was responsible for business planning, sales strategy, channel strategy, the development of technology solutions, education and community outreach programs, industry alliances and partnerships, marketing programs and customer communications. Her expertise is in the area of business development, strategic marketing, sales leadership, value proposition development, and marketing communications.

Bruett was also a founding board member and former Chair of the Partnership for 21 st Century Skills and served on the CEO Forum for Educational Technology.

She brings energy and creativity to everything she does – and is passionate about working with business and industry to build profitable and mutually beneficial relationships with education community.

Additional Team:

Mary Buckley, Executive Assistant & Office Manager
Lindsay Hauswald, Marketing Communications Coordinator
Anna Hughes, Senior Account Executive
Jennifer Mandel, Director, Marketing Communications
Pam Poore, Vice President, Finance
Jose Rodriguez, IT Manager
Erin Schmidt, Project Coordinator, P21
Jill Tyler, National Director, P21
Lauren Yancey, Senior Marketing Manager