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Zak Ringelstein
Founder at Zigazoo || Founder of UClass (acquired), Forbes 30 Under 30, Teach For America, U.S. Senate Nominee || Columbia University
Zak Ringelstein is a passionate advocate for education that emphasizes joy, purpose, and liberation. Before embarking on his doctoral work at Columbia's Teachers College and founding Zigazoo, he accomplished significant milestones in the education sector and beyond.
He is widely recognized for his contributions, having served as the Founder and CEO of UClass, successfully acquired by Renaissance Learning, which is a Google Company. Ringelstein was named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 List in 2015 and recognized as a Forbes Alumni All-Star in 2018.
A prominent voice in media, Ringelstein has shared his insights as a contributor for The New York Times and Forbes. He delved into the political landscape as Maine's Democratic Nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018, making history as the First-Ever Millennial Nominee for U.S. Senate by the Democratic Party.
Known for his progressive stances, Zak Ringelstein made waves by becoming the First US Senate Candidate to endorse 'The Green New Deal' and played a crucial role in formulating the '$60K Minimum Teacher Salary' Policy, later embraced by numerous 2020 Democratic Presidential candidates.
His commitment to environmental causes is evident through his role as Chair of the Legislative Committee and Member of the Executive Committee at Sierra Club Maine. Ringelstein's advocacy extended to the global stage with a notable TEDx Talk and an invitation as a White House Guest.
Zak Ringelstein's academic pursuits underscore his dedication to education. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Politics and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, complemented by a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History and Human Rights from the same institution and a Master's Degree in Education from Arizona State University.
His professional journey includes leadership roles at various organizations, such as Zigazoo, UClass, and notable teaching and research positions at the International School of Tanganyika, Isaac School District #5, and the Millennium Village Project at the United Nations.
