News: Ascend names Lisa Margosian as interim CEO

Ascend Learning announced today that Lisa Margosian will take the helm at Ascend as interim chief executive officer effective immediately, as the board conducts the search for its permanent leader.

Margosian joins Ascend from Girl Scouts of the USA, where she most recently served as chief customer officer, leading the mission and program delivery for the nearly-$1 billion network of 113 local chapters. Prior to Girl Scouts, Margosian served as chief program officer and chief network growth officer at KIPP, a network of high-performing charter schools operating in 20 states and Washington DC, where she oversaw the scaling of the network from 66 to 161 schools in partnership with local KIPP leaders and their independent non-profit boards. Margosian began her career in the financial services industry where she led global sales, service, and implementation teams in the treasury management business.

Julia Bator, co-chair of the Ascend Learning Board, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Lisa Margosian as interim CEO as we navigate through this period of transition to a place of stability and reinvigoration of our mission and commitment to excellence. Lisa is a seasoned leader and skilled communicator who combines expertise in the charter sector with a collaborative management style. We feel very lucky to have Lisa on our team and look forward to her fresh perspective on our work.”

“I am grateful for this opportunity to work with the amazing Ascend Learning community during this period of transition. I welcome the chance to learn from and grow with this dedicated team of professionals—including Ascend’s school leaders, staff, and the schools’ Board of Trustees—who provide young people a rich, liberal arts education in a supportive and warm environment,” said Margosian.

Margosian’s hiring comes following the announcement this week that the Ascend Learning Board would add five new directors to its ranks in January, deepening its capacity for governance and to steward the next period of Ascend’s growth and success. The board has been engaged in a nation-wide search for a permanent CEO since the departure of founder and longtime CEO Steven F. Wilson in October, and expects to announce the hiring of a permanent replacement later this year.

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