Jeff Edmondson

Jeff Edmondson is the managing director of the Strive Network, a national cradle-to-career initiative that brings together leaders in Pre-K-12 schools, higher education, business and industry, community organizations, government leaders, parents and other stakeholders who are committed to helping children succeed from birth through careers.

Edmondson most recently served as executive director of the Strive Partnership in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, a partnership of postsecondary, K-12, business, philanthropic, non-profit, and civic organizations in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky aimed at increasing educational aspirations, achievement, and attainment of students throughout the region. The Strive Network was formed using lessons learned from the development of the partnership, and are currently being applied in cities across the country through a collaborative relationship with Living Cities and the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities to help ensure resources in these regions are efficiently and effectively supporting the success of every child. He also served as the foundation officer for KnowledgeWorks Foundation. In this role, Edmondson was responsible for assisting the President & CEO by leading and providing support for priority initiatives, communicating on the vision and strategies of the Foundation locally and nationally, and managing the relationship with the Board of Directors.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Edmondson served as a Program Assistant at the 21st Century School Fund where he conducted research, published papers, and wrote legislation on local and national policy issues related to school facilities. Edmondson also worked as the Peaceable Schools Coordinator at Woodrow Wilson Senior High School, the largest public secondary school in Washington, D.C. In this role he was an advocate for teachers and students in the school; built partnerships between the school, organizations and businesses in the community to improve student outcomes; and trained students and staff in mediation and other alternative conflict resolution techniques.

Edmondson has a bachelor’s of science in biology from the University of Richmond and a master’s in public policy from Johns Hopkins University. In addition, he served as a volunteer and supervisor for three years in Peace Corps Gabon, Central Africa.

Jennifer Blatz

Jennifer C. Blatz is Director of Partner Engagement and Advocacy for Strive, a subsidiary of KnowledgeWorks. Blatz manages Strive’s national partnerships and works to develop an advocacy strategy and policy agenda for the work. Strive is helping to catalyze cradle to career partnerships throughout the country through the creation of a national network and provision of the on-ground technical assistance to communities.

Blatz most recently served as Director of Operations of the Strive Partnership – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, which is a unique partnership of education, business, nonprofit, philanthropic and civic leaders in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. Prior to her work with Strive, Blatz served as the Executive Director of the Ohio College Access Network. Blatz also served as Program Officer for College & Career Access at KnowledgeWorks.

Blatz earned a bachelor's degree, summa cum laude, in English from the University of Kentucky, and a master's degree in college student personnel from Miami University.
Blatz is active in her community as a member of the Junior League of Cincinnati and a mentor to a fifth grader at Douglass School. She is a member of the YWCA Rising Star Class of 2003, a graduate of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s Volunteer Leadership Development Program, and was named one of the Cincinnati Business Courier’s “Forty Under 40” in 2006.

Carly Rospert

Carly Rospert is the Communications and Strategic Assistance Associate for Strive, a subsidiary of KnowledgeWorks. Rospert manages external communications to network members and interested communities via digital, social, and visual mediums. She also contributes to innovative tool development that helps provide accelerated means across the framework to help communities better achieve cradle to career milestones. Rospert has a special interest and skill in using simple, visual graphics to communicate complex concepts effectively.

Rospert earned a bachelor’s of Urban Planning degree at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, summa cum laude, where she was an office member of the Planning Student Organization and avid volunteer. She is currently a tutor for Rothenberg Elementary and a 5 year veteran of community beautification efforts across Cincinnati.