17 EdTech Recruiters Connecting Talent to Innovations
Meet the best EdTech recruiters & headhunters who are transforming the industry by connecting top talent with groundbreaking educational innovations for the future of learning. ↓
Below is a curated list of notable recruiters in the education technology (EdTech) sector. Each profile highlights who they are, their significance in EdTech recruiting, career highlights, and their impact.
- Mark Phillips
- Gabriel Lucas
- Carrie Conover
- Margareta Bancroft
- David Gillespie
- Mike Ward
- Fazilat Nassiri
- Holly Cafiero
- Debbie Goodman
- Aditya Narayan Mishra
- Ryan Lange
- George Rodgers
- Willa Perlman
- Sarah Risch
- Niall Balmer
- Lisa Sacchetti
- Cindy Fleming
Below we provide more detailed profiles of each recruiter.
Mark Phillips
Nationality: American
Mark is the founder and CEO of HireEducation, one of the first recruiting agencies dedicated to EdTech roles. Active in tech recruiting since the late 1990s, he has specialized in EdTech talent acquisition since 2006.
Mark launched HE in 2010, scaling it into a multi-million dollar firm recognized for placing top candidates in education technology companies. He is known for his consultative approach and industry insight – frequently sharing advice on EdTech hiring and career transitions.
Under his leadership, HireEducation has filled hundreds of EdTech positions, from startup sales roles to executive leadership, making him a trusted partner for growth-stage EdTech firms.
- LinkedIn: Mark Phillips
Gabriel Lucas
Nationality: American
We need to bridge the gap between educators and technology, ensuring that the leaders we place not only understand the tech but also have the vision to apply it in ways that truly impact students and institutions.
Gabriel is the principal of Ed Tech Recruiting, an international recruiting firm focused on technology leadership roles in education. A former educator and school IT director, Gabe co-founded the Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS) in 2014 to support tech administrators’ career growth.
At Ed Tech Recruiting, he specializes in placing senior talent (Directors, CIOs, CTOs) in K-12 schools, universities, and EdTech companies worldwide. Gabe is notable for his people-centric approach and thought leadership in the field – he has written for EdSurge and spoken at conferences about bridging the gap between educators and tech innovation.
His firm’s reputation for thorough, mission-aligned executive searches has made Gabe a go-to recruiter for organizations seeking forward-thinking technology leaders in education.
- LinkedIn: Gabriel Lucas
Carrie Conover
Nationality: American
Carrie is an EdTech talent recruiter, entrepreneur, and former educator who founded EdTech School, a platform to help professionals transition into EdTech careers.
With 25 years in the education industry, including roles at EdTech companies, she has made a name by coaching and placing teachers into EdTech positions. Carrie is an active content creator – hosting the EdTech Connect podcast and blogging practical job advice for aspiring EdTech professionals. She emphasizes networking and personal branding, often noting that one’s LinkedIn feed can be the best EdTech job board.
As a recruiter, Carrie has built strong industry connections and is known for her supportive approach in matching mission-driven candidates with EdTech startups. She’s also the author of the forthcoming book “The Ultimate Guide to Working in EdTech.”
- LinkedIn: Carrie Conover
Margareta Bancroft
Nationality: American
Margareta “Maggie” is the founder of TechEd Connect, a boutique recruitment firm specializing in education and EdTech leadership roles. A former math and science teacher, Margareta launched TechEd Connect to bridge schools and education companies with top talent.
Her firm focuses on recruiting passionate K-12 and higher education leaders for roles in EdTech companies, edtech-enabled nonprofits, and school systems. Margareta is notable for her hands-on, family-run approach – she personally nurtures long-term relationships with candidates and clients, ensuring a strong culture fit for each placement. Under her guidance, TechEd Connect has become a trusted partner for institutions across the U.S., valued for ethical practices and a deep understanding of educational needs.
Margareta remains very active on LinkedIn and at education conferences, often sharing insights on hiring trends in K-12 technology.
- LinkedIn: Margareta Bancroft
David Gillespie
Nationality: American
In EdTech recruitment, it’s not just about filling a position; it’s about finding individuals who will drive both innovation and growth while aligning with the company’s mission.
David is co-founder of OceansThree, an EdTech-focused executive search and talent development firm. With a 25-year career at publishing giants Pearson and Cengage, David brings rich industry expertise to EdTech recruiting. He helped launch OceansThree in 2014, building on his experience in sales talent development and education technology transformation.
David’s notable impact includes introducing innovative recruitment and onboarding practices during Pearson’s digital shift, and now advising EdTech companies on recruiting and retaining high-performing sales, marketing, and product leaders. Though he transitioned from day-to-day operations in 2016, he remains an active advisor at OceansThree. David is respected for his strategic approach – he emphasizes competency-based hiring and cultural fit, helping EdTech clients secure leaders who drive both revenue and mission.
- LinkedIn: David Gillespie
Mike Ward
Nationality: British
Mike is the co-founder of Instinct Resourcing, the UK’s leading recruitment firm specializing in digital learning and EdTech talent. Founded in 2011 by Mike and a partner, Instinct has grown into a £11M+ business with a presence across the UK, Europe, and the U.S..
Mike’s firm recruits for a range of learning technology roles – from instructional designers and LMS specialists to EdTech sales and project managers – serving both educational institutions and e-learning companies. Under Mike’s leadership, Instinct has built a strong reputation in the education sector, supplying high-caliber candidates to universities and EdTech companies alike. In 2023, he spearheaded Instinct’s transition to an employee-owned company, securing its future and reinforcing a culture of dedication among the staff.
Mike is known for championing employee loyalty and staying attuned to industry trends (like the surge in online learning post-Covid) to meet clients’ evolving talent needs.
- LinkedIn: Mike Ward
Fazilat Nassiri
Nationality: American
Fazilat is an EdTech recruiter and founder of Gold Talent, an agency that helps early-stage learning and EdTech startups build their teams. Born in Iran and raised in Canada, Fazilat brings a global perspective to recruiting, having transitioned from a career in engineering and media to talent acquisition in Silicon Valley.
She was formerly Director of Recruiting at Guild Education (an EdTech unicorn) and launched Gold Talent to focus on mission-driven EdTech startups. Fazilat is notable for her personalized approach – often leveraging her multicultural background to connect diverse, nontraditional candidates with high-growth companies. She’s also active in the EdTech community (co-hosting networking events and panels) and passionate about mentorship for women of color in tech.
Fazilat’s firm is valued for helping EdTech founders craft hiring strategies and find “culture add” talent in product, engineering, and go-to-market roles.
- LinkedIn: Fazilat Nassiri
Holly Cafiero
Nationality: American
Holly is the Chief People Officer at Newsela, a high-profile EdTech company that provides a digital instructional content platform. As an in-house talent executive, Holly has overseen Newsela’s rapid team growth and culture development during a period when roughly 40% of new hires have come from outside the education sector.
She is notable for implementing hiring practices that prioritize mission alignment – ensuring candidates are passionate about K-12 education and literacy, even if they come from tech or other industries. Holly often speaks about the importance of adaptability and values fit, sharing that Newsela looks for “open-mindedness and cooperation” in candidates transitioning from other fields. Her efforts in talent acquisition and development have helped Newsela scale while maintaining a strong social impact culture.
Externally, Holly contributes to discussions on EdTech HR as well, providing advice on how startups can compete for talent and how to support employees’ passion for education.
- LinkedIn: Holly Cafiero
Debbie Goodman
Nationality: South African / American
Debbie is the Group CEO of Jack Hammer, a global executive search firm with a dedicated EdTech practice. Based in Los Angeles and originally from South Africa, Debbie has over two decades of experience building leadership teams for EdTech and “Workplace Tech” companies.
Under her guidance, Jack Hammer USA was rated a top 5 search firm in the EdTech sector in 2022. Debbie is an influential thought leader: she’s a two-time bestselling author on leadership and hosts a popular podcast on work culture. In EdTech, she and her team focus on placing C-suite and VP-level innovators – “top 5% of leaders” – who can drive growth and positive change. She is also an advisor and executive coach to venture-backed EdTech founders, extending her impact beyond recruiting.
Debbie’s commitment to diversity and culture fit has helped many EdTech companies, in Africa and the U.S., thrive with strong, values-driven leadership teams.
- LinkedIn: Debbie Goodman
Aditya Narayan Mishra
Nationality: Indian
Aditya is the CEO and MD of CIEL HR, a fast-growing recruitment firm that has been connecting EdTech companies with talent globally. Since co-founding CIEL in 2015 with pioneers of India’s staffing industry, Aditya has overseen its explosive growth into a ₹1,085 crore enterprise by 2024.
CIEL provides end-to-end hiring solutions and has a dedicated practice for education and technology roles, leveraging offices across India and an international network. Aditya’s notable achievement is integrating advanced HR technology and data-driven methods into recruiting, enabling CIEL to outpace industry growth rates. He and his team have successfully placed executives in EdTech unicorns and education ventures in India’s booming EdTech market. Aditya often shares insights in industry forums on bridging skill gaps and scaling teams in EdTech.
Under his leadership, CIEL is known for its professionalism, integrity, and ability to customize searches for clients ranging from global e-learning companies to education nonprofits.
- LinkedIn: Aditya Mishra
Ryan Lange
Nationality: American
Ryan is a Managing Partner at Direct Recruiters Inc. (DRI) who leads the firm’s GovTech and EdTech recruiting practice. Since joining DRI in 2009, Ryan has been instrumental in expanding DRI’s Education Technology and GovTech divisions, building a team of top-performing recruiters under him.
He is a prolific executive recruiter in EdTech, known for placing senior leaders and technical talent in companies that develop educational software, digital curriculum, and related SaaS solutions. Ryan’s competitive drive (honed as a record-setting collegiate wrestler) translates to a relentless commitment to clients’ success. He is praised for his partnership approach – understanding both client business goals and candidates’ motivations deeply – which has resulted in many long-term hires for EdTech clients.
Ryan often speaks at industry events about talent trends in EdTech and is active on LinkedIn sharing insights on hiring and retention in this niche.
- LinkedIn: Ryan Lange
George Rodgers
Nationality: British
George is a go-to-market (GTM) and executive recruiter specializing in EdTech sales and leadership roles across the UK and US. After a successful career in EdTech sales himself, George founded EdT Talent, a recruiting consultancy focused on EdTech startups’ hiring needs. He is known for his energetic presence on LinkedIn, where he shares tips on scaling EdTech teams and even openly discusses turning down roles if they aren’t the right fit for his candidates.
Operating between London and New York, George has helped numerous EdTech companies fill critical positions such as VP of Sales, Head of Marketing, and General Managers for new markets. He prides himself on understanding both sides of the hiring equation, often mentoring candidates through career pivots from teaching to EdTech sales.
George’s impact is seen in the high-growth companies (including SaaS platforms and learning apps) that credit him for finding “unicorn” hires who drive revenue and social impact.
- LinkedIn: George Rodgers
Willa Perlman
Nationality: American
Willa is an executive recruiter with deep expertise in EdTech, currently Co-CEO of LPA Search Partners, a firm she co-founded that specializes in technology and education executive search. Willa transitioned into recruiting in 2001 after two decades as a senior publishing executive (leading divisions at Simon & Schuster and Hasbro).
In executive search, she has focused on EdTech, digital media, and SaaS companies, leveraging her content background to find leaders who can blend education and technology visions. LPA (recently acquired by SRI) was known for placing C-suite leaders in EdTech ventures and PE-backed education companies. Willa’s notable placements span CEO and board roles at learning analytics firms, K-12 curriculum providers, and higher-ed tech startups. Also a certified coach, Willa often advises executive candidates on career strategy. She maintains a thought leadership presence (e.g., on panels about women in EdTech and via LinkedIn where she shares industry observations).
Her blend of sector knowledge and executive experience has made her a trusted advisor to both EdTech entrepreneurs and investors seeking top talent.
- LinkedIn: Willa Perlman
- X (Twitter): @PerlmanWilla
Sarah Risch
Nationality: American
Sarah is a seasoned EdTech executive recruiter who leads the EdTech talent practice at Rockwood Search Associates, an executive search firm. As Vice President of Talent Acquisition for Educational Technology at Rockwood, Sarah “builds rockstar teams for edtech” companies. She has a nationwide network in the K-12 and workforce development EdTech space and regularly publishes thought pieces on industry hiring trends.
In early 2025, Sarah authored a widely-read EdTech Digest column on why certain hiring models fail in K-12 EdTech, demonstrating her candid insight into the field’s challenges. She specializes in placing C-level and senior executives – from Chief Academic Officers to Heads of Sales – and is known for pushing clients to consider candidates who bring fresh perspectives (often advocating for former educators in leadership).
Sarah’s impact is evident in the many growth-stage EdTech companies that credit her for assembling high-impact leadership teams during critical scaling periods.
- LinkedIn: Sarah Risch
Niall Balmer
Nationality: British
Niall is a UK-based recruiter who has spent over a decade connecting talent with top education recruitment and EdTech companies. He founded Balmer Recruitment Group in 2025 to provide affordable, tailored hiring services for small EdTech businesses and education startups.
Niall specializes in “rec-to-rec” (recruitment for recruiters) in the education sector, as well as direct EdTech placements – essentially building the teams that build EdTech teams. His firm’s innovative “pay-what-you-can” pricing model for early-stage companies reflects his commitment to supporting new entrants in the market. Niall’s personal expertise spans finding candidates from former teachers to software developers eager to enter EdTech. Active on social media, he shares job openings and advice for both hiring managers and job seekers navigating the UK EdTech scene.
Clients commend Niall for making hiring “seamless” by understanding the nuances of both education and technology cultures.
- LinkedIn: Niall Balmer
Lisa Sacchetti
Nationality: American
Lisa is the founder and CEO of The Renaissance Network (TRN), one of the foremost executive search firms specializing in EdTech and education. She launched TRN in 1996 with a mission to build world-class teams, quickly zeroing in on the burgeoning Education Technology sector. Under Lisa’s vision, TRN has spent over 25 years helping EdTech companies (from early-stage to global leaders) fill critical roles in executive management, sales, marketing, and customer success.
She has personally led searches for numerous EdTech CEOs and CROs, leveraging an extensive network in both the tech and academic worlds. Known as “The EdTech Recruiter” by many, Lisa emphasizes strategic growth hires and often publishes insights on trends like the rise of customer success in EdTech. TRN, led by Lisa, is recognized as a top executive search firm in the industry, credited with assembling the leadership teams of several EdTech unicorns and high-growth ventures.
Lisa is also active as a mentor in EdTech accelerators and a speaker on building high-performing teams.
- LinkedIn: Lisa Sacchetti
Cindy Fleming
Nationality: American
Cindy is VP of Human Resources at Savvas Learning Company, a major education publisher and EdTech content provider. As an in-house HR leader, Cindy oversees talent acquisition and people strategy for one of the largest EdTech content companies. She has been vocal about new workforce expectations in EdTech – noting the surge in younger candidates’ desire for roles with social impact and community service alignment.
Cindy has led initiatives at Savvas to attract mission-driven talent (for example, highlighting the company’s civic engagement and flexible work options). She also emphasizes diversity and inclusion in hiring, understanding that a variety of perspectives leads to better educational products. With decades of HR experience, including earlier roles at traditional publishers, Cindy brings valuable perspective on how EdTech companies can balance rapid innovation with the stability and training that employees seek.
She frequently participates in EdTech HR roundtables, sharing best practices on everything from upskilling employees to retaining top performers in a competitive market.
- LinkedIn: Cindy Fleming
Sum Up
These influential recruiters have played a pivotal role in reshaping the EduTech sector by connecting top-tier talent with groundbreaking innovations, driving growth, and fostering digital transformation. However, engaging with these experts can be difficult due to their high demand and premium costs.
An effective solution is partnering with EchoGlobal, leveraging our deep industry knowledge and vast global network to seamlessly connect you with the right EduTech talent to accelerate your success.
Note: We’ve dedicated significant time and effort to creating and verifying this curated list of top professionals. However, if you believe a correction or addition is needed, feel free to reach out. We’ll gladly review and update the page.
Lou Reverchuk