Team

Clay Whitehead

Co-CEO & Co-Founder

Clay WhiteheadClay Whitehead is the co-founder, co-CEO, and chief student advocate at PresenceLearning.  He is also a member of the company’s board of directors. Clay leads the company’s school partnership efforts, driving its commitment to ensuring the best care possible for all students. Clay was inspired to found PresenceLearning in part by the role of technology in his own struggles with learning disabilities as a young child.  His background spans consulting, successful startups, and venture capital. Clay holds a B.A. from Princeton University and an M.B.A. from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.

 

Jack Lynch

Co-CEO & Co-Founder

Jack LynchJack has experienced the SLP shortage firsthand.  His cousin Rory, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, struggled to become verbal because he could not access the SLP services he needed as a child.  Inspired by Rory’s story, Jack is determined to expand access to high quality SLP services for children.  While Jack was working at Lumosity, a leading web-based cognitive games company, Jack and Clay conceived of the idea of a web platform for speech language pathologists that would integrate top-notch video conferencing technology with engaging games and activities.  Jack holds a B.A. from Harvard College and an M.B.A. from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.

 

Melissa Jakubowitz M.A. CCC-SLP

Vice President of SLP Clinical Services

A SLP with over 20 years of clinical and managerial experience, Melissa is a Board Recognized Specialist in Child Language. She is the past-president of the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association, which, with over 5,000 SLP members, is the largest SLP state association in the country. She is also active in ASHA, serving as a Legislative Counselor for 12 years. Melissa began her career working in the public schools. She has also operated a successful, multi-office private practice and is a past Director of the Scottish Rite Institute for Childhood Language Disorders in Stockton.

 

Patricia Menadier

Vice President of Business Solutions

Patricia MenadierIn June of 2012, Patricia Menadier brought her vast knowledge of technology and corporate operations to PresenceLearning. As an executive with Grid Net, Workshare, Macromedia, Marimba and Symantec, Patricia designed and managed the implementation of systems for global operations management, change management and customer relations management. Her leadership and business acumen related to sales and marketing excellence have enabled strong company growth in both start-up and established organizations. Patricia holds a BA degree in International Relations and Economics from San Jose State University.

 

 

Katie Povejsil

Vice President of Marketing

katie povejsilKatie joined PresenceLearning in May 2011 with more than 20 years experience as a strategic marketing leader. Katie has worked in executive and management positions with technology companies such as Apple, Macromedia, Claris and most recently, iParadigms, largely focusing on the education sector. At iParadigms, she oversaw marketing for Turnitin, the world’s leading plagiarism prevention and writing improvement solution. She lead the company’s expansion into a successful direct-to-student business and helped the company expand internationally as well. In addition to her corporate positions, she was president of Catalyst Consultants for over a decade where she developed marketing strategies and programs for some of the most recognized companies in media and technology, including Adobe, Cisco, Gateway, Handspring (now Palm), HP, Panasonic and PBS. Katie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Cornell University and received a master’s degree from Stanford University.

 

Aaron Skiles

Vice President of Operations

Aaron SkilesAaron joined PresenceLearning in September 2011, bringing more than 13 years of experience in operational leadership roles in retail, services, and the military. Aaron oversees the Operations Team at PresenceLearning and is responsible for establishing world-class service for our schools, students, and therapists.  Aaron was previously the Chief Operating Officer of SwimOutlet.com, leading that company to establish itself as the world’s largest online swim shop.  He has also worked as a General Manager at The Home Depot, and a logistics officer in the United States Army.  Aaron holds a B.S. from The United States Military Academy, West Point, and an MBA from the University of Maryland.