Peak Education Celebrates Senior Director Pedro Ramírez as He Transitions to New Leadership Role at Thrive Scholars

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Peak Education today announced that Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives Pedro Ramírez will depart the organization after nearly four years of dedicated leadership, advocacy, and service to students across Colorado Springs. Ramírez is taking his talent to Thrive Scholars, where he will continue advancing college access, equity, and student success on a national scale.

During his tenure, Ramírez played a pivotal role in expanding Peak Education’s reach and deepening its community impact. Under his leadership, participation in the Core Program—which guides students from middle school through college graduation—more than doubled. To support this rapid expansion, Ramírez built the operational systems that enabled Peak Education to scale effectively.

His strategic contributions also include crafting the collaborative framework for Peak Education’s partnership with Harrison School District 2 and Pikes Peak State College, ensuring D2 Promise Scholars receive the targeted support needed to thrive in higher education. Additionally, Ramírez spearheaded key regional initiatives, including the rollout of Innovate Pikes Peak in partnership with the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, district partnerships like the District 11 Future Centers, and social enterprise efforts such as Basecamp and InterWoven.

Most recently, Ramírez served as Interim Co-CEO alongside Claudia De Santiago for seven months, providing critical steady leadership and momentum for the organization.

"Pedro has been an invaluable leader, a trusted colleague, and a driving force behind Peak Education’s strategic growth," said Andy Long, CEO of Peak Education. "In addition to his tremendous record of scaling our Core Program and strengthening key community partnerships, Pedro has been essential during my own transition into Peak Education. He has provided outstanding onboarding, training, and institutional knowledge while refining our internal systems so that our team continues to thrive long after his departure. Pedro is a wonderful person who is deeply liked and respected throughout our community, and while we will miss him on our team, we are thrilled to watch him expand his impact with Thrive Scholars."

Reflecting on nearly four years with the organization, Ramírez pointed to the depth of Peak Education's commitment to its scholars.

"Peak Education doesn't hand a student a checklist and wish them well. We walk with them through their formative years. I'm grateful to the scholars and families who let us do that, to the partners across this region who took a chance on new ideas with us, and to a staff that consistently did more than anyone had a right to ask. I leave knowing Peak is stronger than when I arrived and in exceptionally capable hands."

Peak Education extends its deepest gratitude to Pedro Ramírez for his transformative leadership, vision, and dedication to local youth, and wishes him success in his new role at Thrive Scholars.