Nitzan Pelman

Nitzan Pelman is a prominent social entrepreneur and the CEO and Founder of Climb Hire, an organization dedicated to helping working adults, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, gain the skills and social capital necessary to secure well-paying jobs. Founded in December 2018, Climb Hire focuses on providing training in in-demand skills, such as Salesforce administration and project management, while fostering community and networking opportunities among its participants, referred to as "Climbers" .123

Career Background:: Before establishing Climb Hire, Pelman had a notable career in education and social impact initiatives. She served as the founding CEO of ReUp Education, which aimed to re-enroll college dropouts, successfully bringing back nearly 4,000 students. Additionally, she was the founding Executive Director of Citizen Schools in New York, where she expanded the program significantly and improved student outcomes .14 Her earlier roles included leadership positions at Teach For America and the New York City Department of Education, where she developed programs to support new teachers .24

Pelman's work is driven by her commitment to creating economic opportunities for individuals who often lack access to robust professional networks. She emphasizes the importance of social capital in job placement, noting that many job seekers find success through referrals rather than traditional applications .34 Her insights into the role of networking were shaped during her time as an Entrepreneur in Residence at LinkedIn, where she recognized that a significant portion of job placements stem from personal connections .45

Education:: Nitzan Pelman holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Non-Profit Management from New York University and a Bachelor's degree in History and Talmud from Stern College for Women .2

Through Climb Hire, Pelman continues to innovate in the field of workforce development, aiming to break cycles of poverty by equipping individuals with both skills and the social connections necessary for career advancement .34