Ascend Learning Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

Ascend Learning has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, technology, finance, human resources, information security, legal, operations, and conversion rate optimization.

Driven by a commitment to professional development, Ascend Learning powers growth across critical sectors by providing essential digital content, assessments, and simulation tools that bridge learning with tangible workplace impact.

Leadership Roles at Ascend Learning

  • Chief Executive Officer - Neilson Silva
  • Chief Financial Officer - Mandeep Johar
  • President - Susan Pollock
  • Chief Technology Officer - Ash Siebecker
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Annie Drapeau
  • Vice President, Chief Information Officer and CISO - Paul Stein
  • Chief Legal Officer - Lawrence Gold
  • Manager, Conversion Rate Optimization - Colleen Flynn
  • Neilson Silva - Chief Executive Officer

    Neilson Silva, the Chief Executive Officer at Ascend Learning, directs the overarching corporate strategy and operational execution. Silva guides the company's mission to power professional growth across healthcare, fitness, and financial services through tech-enabled education solutions. This leadership involves aligning Ascend Learning's digital content, assessment, analytics, and simulation tools with market demands and learner outcomes. The Chief Executive Officer ensures the company's brand reputation for practical, outcomes-focused solutions remains paramount. Neilson Silva drives the vision for expanding real-world skills and preparing diverse professionals for career milestones. The Chief Executive Officer's focus centers on fostering innovation and maintaining Ascend Learning's position as a leader in licensure-driven fields. This role demands a comprehensive understanding of educational technology and its application in bridging learning with workplace impact. Silva's strategic direction ensures Ascend Learning delivers value to institutions, employers, and individual learners.

    Mandeep Johar - Chief Financial Officer

    Mandeep Johar, the Chief Financial Officer at Ascend Learning, manages the company's financial strategy and fiscal operations. Johar oversees budgeting, financial planning, investment analysis, and reporting to ensure the sustainable growth of Ascend Learning's tech-enabled education business. The Chief Financial Officer plays a crucial role in evaluating opportunities for expansion within healthcare, fitness, and financial services, aligning financial resources with strategic objectives. Mandeep Johar ensures financial integrity and compliance across all operations, supporting the delivery of digital content, assessments, and simulation tools. This executive's leadership is vital for maintaining the company's reputation for practical, outcomes-focused solutions. Johar's financial acumen supports Ascend Learning's mission to bridge learning with workplace impact by securing the necessary capital for innovation and operational excellence. The Chief Financial Officer's oversight guarantees that financial decisions support the company's long-term vision and its commitment to professional development.

    Susan Pollock - President

    Susan Pollock, the President at Ascend Learning, drives key operational initiatives and strategic partnerships that advance the company's mission. Pollock oversees critical business functions, ensuring the effective delivery of Ascend Learning's tech-enabled education solutions across various licensure-driven fields. The President plays a pivotal role in enhancing the company's market presence and fostering relationships with institutions, employers, and professional organizations. Susan Pollock's leadership focuses on optimizing the deployment of digital content, assessments, and analytics tools to maximize learner outcomes and career readiness. This executive's responsibilities include ensuring Ascend Learning's products provide practical, outcomes-focused solutions that bridge learning with workplace impact. Pollock champions initiatives that promote operational excellence and support the development of real-world skills. The President's strategic oversight is essential for driving Ascend Learning's continued success and expansion in the education and training sector.

    Ash Siebecker - Chief Technology Officer

    Ash Siebecker, the Chief Technology Officer at Ascend Learning, architects the company's technology vision and infrastructure. Siebecker oversees the development and deployment of digital content, assessment platforms, analytics tools, and simulation technologies that are central to Ascend Learning's educational offerings. The Chief Technology Officer ensures these solutions are robust, scalable, and effectively support professional growth in sectors like healthcare and finance. Ash Siebecker drives innovation in educational technology, focusing on creating tools that build real-world skills and enhance career readiness. This leadership position involves managing the technology roadmap, ensuring data security, and optimizing the performance of all digital products. Siebecker's expertise is critical in maintaining Ascend Learning's competitive edge by leveraging technology to deliver practical, outcomes-focused solutions. The Chief Technology Officer's responsibilities extend to integrating new technological advancements that bridge learning with workplace impact, supporting both institutions and individual professionals.

    Annie Drapeau - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Annie Drapeau, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Ascend Learning, leads the strategy for talent acquisition, development, and organizational culture. Drapeau ensures Ascend Learning attracts and retains top talent essential for powering professional growth across its key sectors. The Chief Human Resources Officer oversees programs that foster employee engagement, promote continuous learning, and align human capital with the company's mission of providing tech-enabled education solutions. Annie Drapeau's role is critical in building a high-performing team capable of developing and delivering innovative digital content, assessments, and simulation tools. This leadership position focuses on creating a supportive work environment that encourages the development of real-world skills. Drapeau champions initiatives that enhance the employee experience, ensuring Ascend Learning's workforce is equipped to deliver practical, outcomes-focused solutions that bridge learning with workplace impact. The Chief Human Resources Officer's strategic approach to human capital management is fundamental to Ascend Learning's success.

    Paul Stein - Vice President, Chief Information Officer and CISO

    Paul Stein, the Vice President, Chief Information Officer and CISO at Ascend Learning, directs the company's information technology strategy and cybersecurity posture. Stein oversees the infrastructure supporting Ascend Learning's tech-enabled education platforms, ensuring the secure and efficient delivery of digital content, assessments, and analytics tools. The Vice President, Chief Information Officer and CISO is responsible for safeguarding sensitive data and protecting against evolving cyber threats across all operational domains, including healthcare and financial services. Paul Stein's leadership ensures the reliability and integrity of the technology that powers professional growth and career readiness. This executive's focus extends to optimizing IT systems to enhance the development of real-world skills and support the company's outcomes-focused solutions. Stein ensures that Ascend Learning's technological framework effectively bridges learning with workplace impact, maintaining robust security protocols. The Vice President, Chief Information Officer and CISO's dual role is critical for both operational efficiency and robust data protection.
    Paul Stein
    Lawrence Gold, the Chief Legal Officer at Ascend Learning, provides strategic legal counsel and oversees all legal affairs for the company. Gold ensures Ascend Learning operates in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations across its diverse markets, including healthcare, fitness, and financial services. The Chief Legal Officer manages corporate governance, intellectual property, contracts, and risk mitigation strategies essential for a tech-enabled education provider. Lawrence Gold's expertise is vital in navigating the complex legal landscape associated with digital content, assessments, and simulation tools. This leadership role supports Ascend Learning's mission by protecting the company's interests and facilitating its growth. Gold ensures that legal frameworks align with the company's commitment to delivering practical, outcomes-focused solutions that bridge learning with workplace impact. The Chief Legal Officer's guidance is fundamental to maintaining Ascend Learning's strong reputation and operational integrity.

    Colleen Flynn - Manager, Conversion Rate Optimization

    Colleen Flynn, the Manager, Conversion Rate Optimization at Ascend Learning, leads initiatives to enhance user experience and drive engagement across digital platforms. Flynn analyzes user behavior and website performance data to identify opportunities for improving conversion rates for Ascend Learning's tech-enabled education products. The Manager, Conversion Rate Optimization focuses on optimizing the effectiveness of digital content, assessment interfaces, and landing pages to better support professional growth. Colleen Flynn's work is crucial in ensuring that Ascend Learning's solutions are not only informative but also highly effective in guiding users toward achieving their career milestones. This role involves implementing A/B testing and data-driven strategies to refine the user journey and maximize the impact of educational tools. Flynn's expertise contributes directly to Ascend Learning's reputation for practical, outcomes-focused solutions that bridge learning with workplace impact, ensuring a seamless and productive experience for all users.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Ascend Learning Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Ascend Learning?
    Ascend Learning is led by Neilson Silva (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Mandeep Johar (Chief Financial Officer) and Susan Pollock (President).
    Who is part of Ascend Learning’s executive team?
    The executive team of Ascend Learning includes leaders such as Neilson Silva (Chief Executive Officer), Mandeep Johar (Chief Financial Officer), Susan Pollock (President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Ascend Learning have?
    Ascend Learning has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Ascend Learning’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Ascend Learning includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer.