Patrick Brennan

Patrick Brennan

Vice President of Government Relations

Patrick serves as the VP of Government Relations at Learning Ally. In this capacity, Patrick works with the legislatures, departments of education, and governors who have trusted Learning Ally to serve their struggling readers. Patrick's charter at Learning Ally is to work with policymakers and educators to drive legislative initiatives meant to create student-focused solutions meant to provide tools to teacher enhance literacy instruction. Patrick secured funding of $3.5 million from the California Governor’s office to develop and pilot a dyslexia screening and early intervention program at the UCSF Dyslexia Center.

Patrick previously worked in the U.S. Senate for Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Congressman John Spratt of South Carolina. During his time in the Senate he was the lead staffer for a number of bills and amendments that were signed into law by President Obama. Patrick is the a member of the Board of Advisors of the UC San Francisco Dyslexia Center. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Strategic Education Research Partnership in Washington, DC. He graduated from Wake Forest University with a BA in political science and from the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School with an MBA in Finance.

Who We Are

We all have personal stories and motivations that connect us to the Learning Ally mission. Our strength comes from embracing our differences, enjoying and respecting each other, and sharing a passion and commitment to providing equity in education so each student is able to achieve their academic and life goals.

Leadership

Patrick Brennan
“I've always had a personal interest in creating equity and access for all learners, no matter where, or to whom they were born. At Learning Ally, we’re doing that.”
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Patrick Brennan

Vice President of Government Relations

Renee Davenport
“As a former classroom teacher, I am all too familiar with the challenges they face. I came to Learning Ally to join in partnership with Districts and to support building literacy leadership so that teachers have all the resources they need and deserve to support their students in success. ”
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Renee Davenport

Vice President and General Manager
of Education Sales

Kelly Del Tufo
“I am passionate about literacy. I volunteer my personal time to tutor at the neighborhood elementary school and local Girls' Club. I am so excited to be joining Learning Ally in their mission, where I can increase my impact to many more students who need support.”
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Kelly Del Tufo

Vice President of Solutions Design

Ann Marie Fairweather
“Reading is the gateway for children that makes all other learning possible” yet understanding  our national literacy crisis, I am inspired to dedicate my time and talent to ensure students have equal opportunities to learn and succeed.”
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Ann Marie Fairweather

Chief People Officer

Andrew Friedman
“I see myself in the faces and the struggles of the students we serve. My best day at Learning Ally was being asked by an 8 year old student if she could just give me a hug, because Learning Ally had changed her life. I am proud to be part of an organization that deserves hugs!”
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Andrew Friedman

President and CEO

Jeff Ho
“I’ve worked at companies focused solely on profit, but at Learning Ally, when we say that we’re focused on helping students and educators first and foremost, we really mean it. I really appreciate that we’re making a difference.”
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Jeff Ho

Chief Machine Learning & Innovation Officer

Arthur Jordan
"I am truly honored to be a part of this big mission and am personally committed to leveraging my expertise and Learning Ally technology in support of student literacy and lifelong success."
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Arthur “Artie” Jordan

Vice President of Technology &
Chief Information Security Officer

James Kenigsberg
“I am drawn to Learning Ally by a profound sense of purpose – I believe that every child's ability to read is not just a skill but the key to unlocking their limitless potential. It's not about changing the world; it's about empowering the world's future creators, thinkers, and leaders.”
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James Kenigsberg

Interim Chief Digital Officer

Chris Lohse
“Partnering with Districts and States in educational equity has enormous potential for building a literate society and a generation that is healthier, happier and better equipped to tackle the world’s challenges. I’m thrilled to be a part of the Learning Ally mission”
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Chris Lohse

Chief of Staff

Molly Ness
“I'm excited to collaborate with like-minded passionate literacy advocates around effective instruction for all children. I'm thrilled for the chance to impact the professional lives of teachers and the literacy development of students.”
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Molly Ness, Ph.D.

Vice President of Academic Content

Terrie Noland
“A curiosity cap sits atop my head daily. I not only get curious. I stay curious and run headlong into a daily commitment to learn and grow. This curiosity has driven me to smash the literacy divide by sparking a flame of understanding and enthusiasm in others.”
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Terrie Noland, Ph.D., CALP

Vice President of Educator Initiatives

Missy Sherburne
“My former students, the educators I’ve worked with, my son and the millions of students who struggle to learn to read, inspire me to do this work. There’s a science to this work of literacy and we need to equip every educator to become literacy leaders, whether they teach Pre-K or Chemistry.”
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Missy Sherburne

Chief of Growth and Strategic Partnerships

Steve Valvano
“I believe that the ability to read and grow in one's education is directly linked to one's degree of freedom in life...and what’s more important than that?”
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Steve Valvano

Vice President of Great People,
Human Resources

Tim Wilson
“I have the opportunity to create life-changing impact through providing the tools that increase a student's ability to learn. Helping students reach their full potential is absolutely the best use of my time and knowledge.”
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Tim Wilson

Chief Financial Officer