Meet Penn Foster Leaders
Get to know the dedicated executive team driving Penn Foster’s mission. Our leaders are committed to delivering top-notch educational content, innovative technology, and exceptional services that produce positive results for both our partners and students.
With a strong emphasis on technological innovation, content creation, and strategic initiatives, they ensure our programs align with the evolving needs of today’s workforce. Backed by decades of experience in education, technology, and business, our team is uniquely equipped to support our partners and drive success.
Penn Foster’s leadership team comprises seasoned professionals dedicated to advancing accessible education and fostering student success. Below is an overview of each leader:
Kermit Cook
Chief Executive Officer
As the CEO of Penn Foster Group, Kermit Cook is responsible for shaping the organization’s vision and strategy, creating opportunities for learners to achieve brighter futures. He collaborates with the leadership team to design pathways that promote economic mobility and long-term success for students.
Kermit brings extensive experience in the education industry, beginning his career as a high school physics teacher in St. Louis Public Schools through Teach For America. Before joining Penn Foster, he served as Chief Operating Officer at Cengage Group, an education technology company. There, he led initiatives to expand career education offerings, managed the K-12 business, and oversaw critical corporate functions such as supply chain, corporate development, and human resources. Prior to Cengage, Kermit worked at the investment firm KKR, where he was Co-Head of KKR Capstone in the Americas and a member of the Portfolio Management Committee.
Currently residing in Connecticut with his wife and three children, Kermit also serves on the board of trustees at Linsly School in Wheeling, West Virginia, where he grew up. He holds an MA in Education and an MBA from Stanford University, as well as a BA in Engineering Sciences and a BE in Mechanical Engineering from Dartmouth College.
Frank Jalufka
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Frank Jalufka leads the development of financial strategies that support Penn Foster Group’s mission to empower learners through education and training. Frank and his team ensure the organization’s financial resources are effectively managed to drive positive outcomes for students and partners alike.
With over 30 years of experience in finance and operations management, Frank is a seasoned leader with a proven track record across diverse industries, including education, media, communications, technology, and manufacturing.
Before joining Penn Foster Group, Frank served as Chief Financial Officer at Edmentum, where he managed the financial and legal aspects of a global business focused on K-12 education technology. His prior roles include CFO at Education Management Corporation (EDMC), CFO and COO at The Dolan Company, and Vice President of Enterprise Finance at Freedom Communications.
Frank holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School.
Nial McLoughlin
Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Nial McLoughlin serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Penn Foster Group. In this role, he oversees all technology initiatives within the organization, including the re-platforming and modernization of its learning platforms to better serve students and partners.
Prior to joining Penn Foster, Nial was the Chief Operating Officer at Ashworth College and also served as President of the New York Institute of Photography and Art and Design. During his tenure as COO, he led a major transformation of Ashworth’s technology infrastructure. His efforts included creating a new student-facing and support infrastructure, which significantly enhanced service levels while enabling the business to scale effectively. Nial joined Penn Foster’s leadership team in 2019 following the acquisition of Ashworth College.
Nial holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance from the University of Florida and a Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science from Georgia State University.
Terri Runyon Walker
Chief People Officer
As Chief People Officer, Terri Runyon Walker leads all aspects of Penn Foster Group’s people operations. Her responsibilities include talent acquisition and strategy, fostering a strong organizational culture, managing total rewards, and driving learning and development initiatives all to ensure the organization is well-positioned to serve its learners effectively.
Terri brings over 25 years of experience as a strategic HR leader. She is passionate about building integrated talent strategies that align with business growth and partnering with senior leaders to achieve organizational goals. Before joining Penn Foster, Terri served as Senior Vice President and People Leader for corporate functions at Nielsen. She also spent a decade at McGraw Hill, where she led HR operations for Higher Education, Professional, and Digital Platform groups.
Throughout her career, Terri has demonstrated expertise in talent management, including acquisition, development, and succession planning. She has also excelled in organizational design, total rewards management, and global diversity and inclusion strategies aimed at creating inclusive cultures and attracting top talent.
Terri holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband and two children and serves as a school board member for her local high school district.
Dr. Andy Shean
Chief Learning Officer
Dr. Andy Shean serves as Chief Learning Officer at Penn Foster, where he leads initiatives to enhance academic programs, curriculum design, courseware development, and student support services. He also oversees faculty, non-academic support, and academic operations, all aimed at improving student outcomes and transforming lives through education.
Before joining Penn Foster, Dr. Shean was Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at National Education Partners. His extensive experience in education includes roles such as Chief Academic Learning Officer for Bridgepoint Education, Vice Provost at Ashford University, and Executive Dean for the College of Education at Ashford University. Earlier in his career, Dr. Shean was a high school English teacher, where he was recognized as the 2009 District Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Shean holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management from Alliant International University. He also earned a Master’s degree in Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado.
Matt Simon
Chief Marketing Officer
Matt Simon serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for Penn Foster Group, where he leads the development of strategies, programs, and content designed to attract new learners to the organization’s diverse portfolio of brands. His team is dedicated to supporting students through their educational journeys and ensuring successful program completion.
As CMO, Matt oversees a high-performing marketing team focused on crafting a learner-centric and impactful brand narrative. His responsibilities include brand strategy, performance marketing, advanced analytics, communications, and B2B marketing. He joined Penn Foster Group in 2022 and has since played a key role in driving innovative marketing initiatives.
With over 20 years of experience in marketing, Matt has worked across various industries, including consumer packaged goods, quick-service restaurants, and retail. Before joining Penn Foster, he served as Chief Brand Experience Officer at The GIANT Company, part of the Ahold Delhaize group. Matt has also contributed to nationally recognized brands such as The Hershey Company, Del Monte Foods, and Auntie Anne’s.
In addition to his professional achievements, Matt has served on the boards of the Central PA Food Bank and the Please Touch Museum of Philadelphia. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from The Pennsylvania State University.
Jordan Thompson
General Counsel
Jordan Thompson serves as the General Counsel at Penn Foster Group, where he ensures the organization adheres to high standards in education and operational practices. His role involves overseeing legal compliance and mitigating risks to support the group’s mission and values.
Before joining Penn Foster, Jordan held the positions of Deputy General Counsel and Director of Compliance and Risk at the New York Institute of Technology. He brings a wealth of expertise in legal and compliance matters to his current role.
Jordan earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and holds a law degree from Rutgers Law School. He is a Certified Information Privacy Professional and is licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey. Additionally, he is admitted to the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of New Jersey.
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Jordan actively contributes to his community. He serves as General Chair of the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network, is a Vice President and Board Member of the Suffolk Tobacco Asset Securitization Corporation, and is a former President of the Huntington Lawyers Club.
Jordan lives on Long Island with his wife, Kimberly, and their three sons.
Thais Lyro: Chief Product Officer
Chief Marketing Officer
Thais Lyro is the Chief Product Officer at Penn Foster Group, where she leads her team in ensuring that all programs and learning experiences are designed with the success of learners at the forefront. Her work is dedicated to creating pathways that help students succeed and open doors to future opportunities.
With over 20 years of experience in product development and user design, Thais has a strong background in identifying market needs and translating them into engaging, impactful experiences. Problem-solving is central to her work, and she thrives on the challenge of finding solutions to fill market gaps.
Before joining Penn Foster Group, Thais held various product technology and user design roles in education, technology, and consulting industries. She has worked on evolving existing products as well as creating new ones, leading teams through a structured process of strategy, execution, and implementation to achieve desired outcomes.
In addition to her work in product innovation, Thais is a passionate advocate for women in the workplace. Since April 2021, she has served as a Guardian at AngelUS Network, a global professional network focused on supporting and empowering women. Thais is also a strong proponent of integrating AI into education, harnessing its potential to enhance learning experiences and promote personalized, data-driven approaches.
John Dobbertin
General Counsel
As Chief Operating Officer, John Dobbertin is responsible for creating exceptional experiences for learners, guiding the operational strategy, processes, and teams that aim to improve learner outcomes and open doors to future success.
With over 25 years of experience in the EdTech industry, John has led both technology and services teams. Before joining Penn Foster Group, he served as Executive Vice President at 2U, where he was responsible for overseeing learner-facing services teams. Additionally, he held roles as COO at Helix Education, Managing Director at Australian-based EQUELLA, and Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Services at Pearson. John began his career as a kindergarten French teacher, which laid the foundation for his dedication to improving education.
John lives in Colorado with his wife, Carey, and their Boston Terrier pup, Tonka. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and French from Niagara University and enjoys activities such as golf, travel, hiking, and fly fishing.