Managing Director

The Possible Zone names Bridgette Gray its new CEO. * May 5, 2026 Updated May 5, 2026 The Possible Zone (TPZ), a youth development nonprofit that delivers career-connected learning experiences that expand the traditional boundaries of education for high school students, has announced the appointment of Bridgette Gray as its Chief Executive Officer, effective May 4. A nationally recognized leader in workforce development, social impact, and organizational growth, Gray brings more than 25 years of experience designing equitable pathways to economic opportunity and scaling mission-driven organizations. An efficacious fundraiser across philanthropic, corporate, and government partnerships, she is widely known for aligning bold vision with disciplined execution to deliver measurable results. Most recently, Gray served as Chief Executive Officer of ideas42, where she led strategic visioning for the global nonprofit that dismantles systemic barriers to economic security through the application of behavioral sciences. As the Chief Customer Officer at Opportunity@Work, she helped influence Maryland's landmark policy to remove degree requirements from state jobs - advancing a national movement toward skills-first hiring. Earlier in her career, Gray served as Chief Impact Officer at Per Scholas, where she helped scale the organization's national footprint and expand access to high-quality technology training for thousands of learners annually. Gray has also worked at Year Up and the Points of Light Foundation. Founded by Becky Ruhmann Levin and Mark Levin in 2009, The Possible Zone (TPZ) has empowered more than 2,300 young people in Massachusetts through project-based education that integrates innovation, exploration of future pathways, entrepreneurial spirit, and real-world experience. Through an ecosystem approach, TPZ levels the playing field by bringing personalized and career-connected learning to those for whom opportunities have been disproportionately scarce. "When we founded The Possible Zone, we did so with the dream to create spaces where young people could discover their own potential and shape their own futures," said Mark Levin, Chair of TPZ's Board of Directors. "Bridgette Gray is a leader who not only shares our unwavering belief in the potential of our students, but she also can build on the organization's strong foundation, steer strategic direction, navigate challenges, and make high-stakes decisions that will drive TPZ through its next phase of growth and national expansion." The organization's 2030 Vision focuses on expanding its reach to 5,000+ students annually, across multiple communities and states, through an impactful, interconnected program delivery model. Concurrently, TPZ will complete validated large-scale controlled studies, serve as a key influencer of education thought leadership and policy, and realize a financially sustainable business model. Gray expressed her enthusiasm for the organization's future. "What drew me to The Possible Zone is the power of its model to transform how young people see themselves and their futures. TPZ has built something truly special - not just a program, but a platform for possibility. I'm honored to build on that foundation and work alongside this team to expand its impact nationally." In her first year, Gray will focus on strengthening organizational alignment, enhancing operational infrastructure, and advancing TPZ's growth strategy, including expanding national partnerships and diversifying funding to support long-term sustainability. Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment for TPZ as it seeks to extend its innovative model beyond greater Boston while maintaining the depth, quality, and student-centered culture that define its work. "Over the past 15 years, The Possible Zone has evolved from a small but mighty entrepreneurship program, to an innovative and influential nonprofit that models how community, education, and industry can collaborate to deliver learning opportunities that lead high school students to fulfilling future pathways," said Susan Penta, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at MIDIOR, member of the TPZ Board of Directors, and a member of the CEO Search Committee. "I am excited to work with Bridgette as she leads TPZ through this next chapter of expansion and greater impact." The Possible Zone (TPZ) advances learning through an expansive ecosystem where young people develop the skills, mindsets, and networks needed to propel their futures. High school, industry, and higher education partners help deliver career-connected experiences that expand the traditional boundaries of education. As TPZ alums achieve economic mobility, they fuel their local region's economy and help advance the lives of others in their communities.

Per Scholas announces partnership with Ascendium Education Group to advance economic mobility. March 10, 2026 Per Scholas is proud to announce a continuation of its partnership with Ascendium Education Group, a nonprofit committed to helping learners from low-income backgrounds achieve their career goals. Through this investment, Ascendium is supporting Per Scholas as Per Scholas, Inc scale its proven tech workforce training model nationwide. The partnership will expand immersive training programs, strengthen work-based learning opportunities, and help ensure long-term sustainability, enabling more learners to access high-growth careers in technology. As demand for talent accelerates in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and Data Center operations, employers are seeking candidates with both technical proficiency and applied experience. Ascendium's support will help Per Scholas keep its curriculum aligned to evolving industry needs while deepening hands-on learning through employer-led projects, apprenticeships, and other experiential models that prepare learners to contribute from day one. "Scale requires more than resources - it requires shared belief in what is possible," said Plinio Ayala, Chief Executive Officer of Per Scholas. "Ascendium's partnership strengthens our ability to expand access to high-quality, no-cost training while maintaining the strong outcomes that define our model." With this investment, Per Scholas will increase enrollment in immersive training and Career Accelerator upskilling programs, launch new industry-aligned pathways, and continue building partnerships with employers and postsecondary institutions. The initiative also includes exploring public funding collaborations to support sustainable growth and broaden access to no-cost training. Its partnership with Ascendium reflects a shared commitment to expanding pathways into thriving tech careers and strengthening long-term economic mobility for individuals, families, and communities nationwide. About Ascendium: Ascendium Education Group(R) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization driven by the belief that learning after high school gives people the power to build better futures. Its national philanthropy focuses on increasing opportunities for learners from low-income backgrounds to achieve upward mobility through postsecondary education and workforce training. Per Scholas, Inc partner with organizations whose objectives align with its core strategies to expand opportunity, support learner success, and connect and align systems. Its grantees include postsecondary education and workforce training providers, intermediaries, researchers, and media organizations from across the U.S. To learn more, visit ascendiumphilanthropy.org. About Per Scholas: As Per Scholas celebrates 30 years of impact, Per Scholas, Inc is charting an ambitious path forward - aiming to train and upskill 25,000 technologists annually by 2030, expanding access to high-growth tech careers and fostering economic mobility nationwide. Since 1995, Per Scholas, Inc has offered no-cost tech training to more than 30,000 technologists in the most sought-after tech skills, generating over $35 billion in increased personal earnings. On average, its learners earn 3x their pre-training wage in their first role after Per Scholas. With 25 campuses and remote programs, Per Scholas, Inc partner with employers - from Fortune 500 companies to startups - to create inclusive talent pipelines in fields like Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, and Software Engineering. More than half of its learners hold a high school diploma as their highest educational credential. Per Scholas, Inc is building a future where successful careers in tech are accessible to everyone across urban, suburban, and rural communities, empowering individuals to unlock their potential and drive transformative economic change nationwide.