Kennedy Technology Group

Dr. Marquita Yriarte

Dr. Yriarte’s work in education goes back decades. She spent many years teaching in Catholic Elementary Schools in the Oregon Province; served as the Principal/President of Saint Mary's Academy, an all girls school in Portland Oregon; and returned to elementary education later in her career serving as a principal for multiple Catholic Schools in California, including Sacred Heart Parish School (Hollister, CA), and Saint Joseph Elementary School (Alameda, CA). After graduating from Sacred Heart Academy High School in Salem, Oregon, Marquita went on to complete her undergraduate work and BA degree at the SNJM (Oregon Province) Liberal Arts College, Marylhurst College. She then completed a Masters Degree in Pastoral Studies at Seattle University and went on to earn a PhD in Education Policy and Management from the University of Oregon.

Dr. Yriarte has a passion for education believing it to be the most valuable vehicle for social mobility.  Education is the means by which one develops a respect and appreciation for diversity of thinking and holds the potential to create critical thinkers.

“I firmly believe technology, if used properly, empowers the entire school community - administrators, teachers, students and parents.  In my experience, technology opened the door for global learning, empowered teachers to introduce new and effective strategies for learning, and provided parents a means of more effective communication with teachers and a more comprehensive understanding of their child's learning.”

JOSH STERN

With over 20 years in educational leadership, Josh Stern draws on a combined understanding of school finance, management, and process improvement to advise school districts, independent schools and edtech ventures. Prior to his consulting work, Josh was Head of School at St. Paul Episcopal School in Oakland, CA and a professor at Mills College Graduate School of Education. Josh currently serves as a Treasurer of an East Bay Independent School. He has a master degree in Educational Policy Analysis and Evaluation from Stanford University and a masters in Educational Entrepreneurship from University of Pennsylvania. As a former school administer, Josh joined the Solstice Advisory Board to address a long-term question for private schools: how does a school connect their mission to the academic program? In Solstice, he saw a possible solution. He is committed to making real and pragmatic connections between a school’s values and the delivery of their program. 

Jason Baeten

Building on over 27 years as a teacher and administrator, Jason’s belief in--and experience in making--irresistible learning spaces has fueled his career of being a founding teacher and leader in three schools across the Bay Area: Julia Morgan School for Girls, East Bay School for Boys, and, now, Peninsula School for Boys. An inspirational, thoughtful, and visionary educator, he is committed to fostering intentional learning communities with significant purpose, and is driven to inspire change through creating mission-driven and values-based schools and communities. Jason creates dynamic environments in which students and staff feel seen, are held equitably, and have agency to become lifelong learners and leaders. Over his years as a teacher and leader, Jason has discovered that providing a safe space for boys to be boys and also to be vulnerable enables them to access their authentic selves and to learn that real power comes from empowering others.

Dmytro Voytenko

Dmytro Voytenko is a software architect who has worked in financial services, social media, and a variety of other tech industries over the last 25 years, while building some of the most transformational and innovative capabilities of our internet age. He has a masters degree in Computer Science and a passion for everything in technology and education. Dmytro is a father of two children and a big fan of hiking.