From Classroom to Tech: Jackie's Story of Transferable Leadership

At ZenWave, we believe growth often looks like courage—the courage to step into the unknown, to trust in your transferable skills, and to embrace new challenges with confidence. Jackie Ritter's journey from classroom educator to tech professional perfectly exemplifies this philosophy.
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​One of those stories is Jackie's. Today, she's ZenWave's Chief Administrative Officer, but her career began in early childhood education. After twelve years in the classroom, earning her Master's Degree, and becoming an expert in child development, classroom management, and lesson planning, Jackie made the leap into tech.
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​Her first reaction to the opportunity was excitement—"This idea could help a lot of people." But right behind that came doubt—"Am I even qualified to do this?" That moment of imposter syndrome is familiar to anyone who's ever shifted careers.

The truth, though, is that leadership skills are transferable. Jackie's background equipped her with exactly what she needed to thrive at ZenWave:

• Learning agility honed through higher education translated into mastering new industries.
• Research and writing from academic work prepared her for grants and operational strategy.
• Collaboration and empathy with children, families, and co-teachers became the backbone of building strong teams.
• Data tracking and organization turned into operational excellence.
• Resilience and work ethic carried seamlessly across every role.

Equally important, Jackie entered ZenWave with clarity about her values. She didn't just want a job—she wanted to belong to a company that respected its people, valued open communication, and fostered real community. That alignment is what makes a career pivot not just possible, but powerful.
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​For me, Jackie's story is proof of what ZenWave stands for: intention, heart, grit, and radical honesty. Her pivot wasn't just a career change—it was a leadership story.
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​At ZenWave, we celebrate stories like Jackie's because they remind us: growth isn't about starting over, it's about carrying your strengths forward and building the next chapter with purpose.
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​What transferable skill has carried you the furthest in your own career journey?

Jackie Ritter | Chief Administrative Officer