Discovery Education names SMASH CEO Eli Kennedy to Board of Directors

Discovery Education, the global leader in curriculum-aligned digital resources, engaging content and professional learning for primary and secondary classrooms worldwide, today announced the appointment of Eli Kennedy, the CEO of SMASH, to the company’s Board of Directors. In his new role, Kennedy’s expertise will support Discovery Education’s mission to prepare all learners for tomorrow by creating innovative classrooms connected to today’s world.

Kennedy has served as SMASH CEO since 2016, and leads that company’s efforts to build a strong, diverse and socially conscious tech workforce by levelling the playing field through academic learning and experiential engagement for high school and college students. Before joining SMASH, Kennedy was the Senior Vice President of Redbird Advanced Learning, a research based EdTech company.

Kennedy has also served as a Director at the Broad Foundation, and was on the leadership team at Platform Learning, a tutoring company focused on supporting low-income students. Prior to focusing on education, Kennedy worked in a strategic management capacity for a technology startup and as a strategy consultant for Andersen Consulting and USWEB/CKS.

Kennedy serves on the Board of Directors of Capital Impact Partners as well as the Diversity Council for code.org. He earned his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BBA from Howard University.

“l have long admired Discovery Education’s approach to supporting the success of all learners through a unique combination of digital resources and professional learning,” said Kennedy. “I look forward to adding my background and expertise to the effort to expand the company’s reach and impact.”

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Eli to Discovery Education’s Board of Directors,” said Discovery Education CEO Paul Ilse. “Eli’s dedication to improving the academic outcomes of all students, coupled with his unique insight on today’s education landscape and sharp business acumen, make him a tremendous asset to Discovery Education’s Board as it sets the company’s strategic direction for the coming years.”