Leadership Overview
Ascend Learning has 7 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, technology development, human capital, healthcare marketing, conversion optimization, and operational management.
Focused on bridging the gap between education and professional success, Ascend Learning delivers advanced digital content and simulation tools to empower learners across healthcare, fitness, and financial services sectors.
Focused on bridging the gap between education and professional success, Ascend Learning delivers advanced digital content and simulation tools to empower learners across healthcare, fitness, and financial services sectors.
Leadership Roles at Ascend Learning
Lissy Hu - Chief Executive Officer
Lissy Hu, the Chief Executive Officer at Ascend Learning, directs the overarching strategic vision for the organization. Hu architects the long-term growth trajectory by aligning digital content and assessment tools with the evolving needs of licensure-driven industries. Overseeing the integration of simulation technology across healthcare and financial services, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that all educational products maintain high standards for workplace readiness. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to refine market positioning and expand the reach of learning solutions. By prioritizing outcomes-focused innovation, Lissy Hu drives the company toward sustained excellence in the competitive education technology landscape. The Chief Executive Officer maintains a sharp focus on scaling operations to meet global demand for professional credentials, ensuring that the organization remains a primary partner for institutions and employers seeking to build real-world skills.

Mandeep Johar - Chief Financial Officer
Mandeep Johar, the Chief Financial Officer at Ascend Learning, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies of the enterprise. Johar oversees financial planning, reporting, and risk management to support the development of digital content and analytics platforms. By analyzing market trends in healthcare and fitness education, the Chief Financial Officer optimizes resource distribution to maximize return on investment for stakeholders. Mandeep Johar coordinates with executive leadership to ensure that budgetary decisions align with the company mission of fostering professional growth. This role involves rigorous oversight of financial operations to maintain stability while funding new simulation tool initiatives. Through disciplined fiscal management, the Chief Financial Officer secures the necessary capital to sustain long-term expansion. Johar provides the analytical foundation required for strategic decision-making, ensuring that every investment directly contributes to the practical, outcomes-focused solutions that define the brand reputation.

Susan Pollock - President
Susan Pollock, the President at Ascend Learning, directs the day-to-day operational execution across all business units. Pollock architects the processes that allow the company to deliver high-quality digital content and simulation tools at scale. Overseeing cross-functional teams, the President ensures that the organization meets the needs of institutions and employers in healthcare, fitness, and financial services. Susan Pollock collaborates with the Chief Executive Officer to translate high-level strategy into actionable operational plans. This leadership role involves managing the delivery of outcomes-focused solutions that bridge the gap between learning and workplace impact. By streamlining internal workflows, the President enhances the efficiency of the entire organization. Pollock maintains a focus on operational excellence to ensure that the company remains a leader in the education technology space. Through disciplined management, the President supports the long-term growth and stability of the enterprise, ensuring that all departments work in harmony to achieve the company mission.
Ash Siebecker - Chief Technology Officer
Ash Siebecker, the Chief Technology Officer at Ascend Learning, directs the engineering and product development teams responsible for the company digital ecosystem. Siebecker architects the scalable infrastructure required to deliver high-quality assessments and simulation tools to diverse professional learners. Overseeing the technical roadmap, the Chief Technology Officer ensures that all platforms remain secure, intuitive, and effective for licensure-driven fields. Ash Siebecker collaborates with other C-suite leaders to integrate advanced analytics into the learning experience, thereby enhancing workplace impact for end users. This leadership role involves managing complex software lifecycles and adopting emerging technologies to maintain a competitive edge in the education sector. By driving innovation in digital content delivery, the Chief Technology Officer supports the company mission of bridging the gap between academic preparation and professional success. Siebecker ensures that the technological foundation remains robust enough to support rapid growth across all market segments.

Annie Drapeau - Chief Human Resources Officer
Annie Drapeau, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Ascend Learning, leads the talent acquisition, organizational development, and culture-building initiatives. Drapeau architects programs that attract and retain top-tier professionals capable of advancing the company mission in education technology. Overseeing the human capital strategy, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the workforce remains aligned with the goals of providing high-quality digital content and simulation tools. Annie Drapeau collaborates with executive leadership to foster an environment of continuous learning and professional growth within the organization. This role involves managing performance systems and leadership development to support the company expansion into new licensure-driven fields. By cultivating a high-performance culture, the Chief Human Resources Officer directly impacts the ability of the company to deliver practical, outcomes-focused solutions. Drapeau ensures that the internal team possesses the expertise required to maintain the brand reputation for excellence in healthcare, fitness, and financial services training.

Jenney Babcock - Chief Marketing Officer, Ascend Learning Healthcare
Jenney Babcock, the Chief Marketing Officer, Ascend Learning Healthcare at Ascend Learning, directs the go-to-market strategies for the healthcare division. Babcock architects campaigns that highlight the value of digital content and simulation tools for healthcare professionals seeking credentials. Overseeing brand positioning, the Chief Marketing Officer ensures that the company remains the preferred partner for institutions and employers in the medical field. Jenney Babcock collaborates with product teams to translate complex educational outcomes into compelling narratives that drive market adoption. This leadership role involves analyzing regional market needs to tailor outreach efforts effectively. By focusing on the practical benefits of licensure-driven training, the Chief Marketing Officer expands the reach of the healthcare portfolio. Babcock manages the communication strategy to ensure that the brand reputation for workplace impact remains strong. Through targeted marketing initiatives, the Chief Marketing Officer supports the overall growth objectives by connecting learners with the tools necessary for career readiness.
Colleen Chicks - Manager, Conversion Rate Optimization
Colleen Chicks, the Manager, Conversion Rate Optimization at Ascend Learning, directs the analytical efforts to improve user engagement across digital platforms. Chicks architects testing frameworks that refine the learner experience, ensuring that assessments and simulation tools are accessible and effective. Overseeing the conversion funnel, the Manager, Conversion Rate Optimization identifies friction points that hinder professional growth for users in licensure-driven fields. Colleen Chicks collaborates with the technology and marketing teams to implement data-driven changes that increase the adoption of educational products. This role involves constant monitoring of user behavior to optimize the path from initial interest to career readiness. By focusing on granular improvements, the Manager, Conversion Rate Optimization directly supports the company mission of delivering practical, outcomes-focused solutions. Chicks ensures that the digital interface remains a powerful tool for professionals, thereby contributing to the overall market impact and revenue growth of the organization through superior user experience design.
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