Meet our team! Each one of our staff embodies our values of Community, Courage, Progress, and Results.

picture of Julie Ruzek

JULIE RUZEK
Executive Director

Julie Ruzek was selected as our Executive Director after an extensive national search. A lifelong learner, Ruzek has a strong formal education including her K-12 Administrative License and certifications in Intercultural Development Inventory and Results-Based Accountability. Her 21 years of professional education experience—much of which has been focused on reducing systemic barriers for student success by supporting the growth of equity, safety, and family engagement—will be invaluable in building upon the strong foundation of C2C. She comes to C2C after serving as the District Coordinator of Family and Community Partnerships at Rochester Public Schools.

KELSEY DUFFY
Interim Executive Director and Director of Data & Research

I come to Cradle to Career via United Way and Girl Scouts ConnectZ. I have experience in data analysis, program evaluation, and community mobilization. Prior to Girl Scouts, I was in Burkina Faso as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I graduated from Yale with a degree in economics, even though most of my coursework was in game theory and international studies. I have held two post-grad fellowships, one with the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership and the other with the National Security Program.

I am drawn to this work because I enjoy the blend of logic and principles that comes about when we use data to inform community change. In my free time, I can typically be found in nature – hiking, biking, and kayaking are my jam. I live with my partner and his two daughters, and we have a wonderful doggo named Yerome.

I am the newest member at Cradle to Career. I’ve come to Cradle 2 Career to join in the external communications efforts. Specifically, I will be working in social media and with special projects. I am drawn to this work because of the impact it has in my community. I grew up in a city outside of Rochester, but I believe in making my community a better place.

ANGALEE SCHMIDT
Communications Intern

MISK AL ZAHIDY
Transition Support Specialist

I began working at Cradle to Career during the summer of 2021. I came in as a graduate student with a search for a unique research internship. I have been working on opening a new network to support our local education system and eliminate some educational gaps. What attracted me to Cradle to Career was the impact it made on the Rochester community and the strive for equity. I graduated with a Master’s in Professional Sciences in May of 2022.

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Noah Shore
Data Analyst

I recently graduated from University of Minnesota Rochester. I will be working on data analysis and collection. I am drawn to this work because I enjoy being able to use data to help shape and improve my community.

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