NEW YORK, NY — October 9, 2026
Dear Friends,
I have always held that one measure of a great leader is knowing when it is time to leave, not when things are difficult, but when the organization is strong and moving forward. That's where Per Scholas is today, and that's why I believe this is the right time to step aside.
After 28 years at Per Scholas, I'll be stepping down as CEO at the end of 2026. I'm thrilled to share that our Board of Directors has selected Caitlyn Brazill as Per Scholas' next President and CEO, effective January 1, 2027.
In this past year, we've launched a new brand, introduced new courses and pathways, advanced our work around AI, and begun piloting our AI-Native Classroom. Caitlyn has led much of this work and, over nearly a decade at Per Scholas, has been instrumental in our growth and impact.
She has become one of the most trusted voices in our field with employers, funders, and policymakers, and I can't imagine anyone better to lead Per Scholas forward.
You can read the full announcement here.
When I first walked through Per Scholas' doors, I found a place that refused to accept the status quo, and people who believed, as I did, that talent is everywhere, and opportunity is not. Our learners and alumni have proven that belief time and again, and our staff and partners have helped make the opportunity real.
Everything Per Scholas has accomplished over the past 30 years belongs to the people who have made this organization what it is: the learners who trust us, the alumni who come back to lift others up, and the partners who believe in and invest in this work.
I am deeply proud of what we have built together, and even more confident about what comes next.
Thank you for treating our learners, alumni, employers, investors, volunteers, and staff with respect and dignity. And thank you for giving me the extraordinary privilege of leading Per Scholas for the past 28 years.
With gratitude,
Plinio Ayala
CEO, Per Scholas