About SynED

“Discovery consists of seeing what everyone has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.”

Dr. Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

(1893-1986)

About SynED

“Discovery consists of seeing what everyone has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.”

Dr. Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

(1893-1986)

Donate to Student Success

BRINGING PERSONAL MEANING AND FULFILLMENT TO CAREER PURSUIT​

A Letter From Our President

I want to thank you for your interest in synED and to thank our team for their exceptional effort, contribution and inspiration that brings synED to where it is today. We look forward to continuing our work and spreading our influence as widely as possible to help change the status quo for those seeking meaning and fulfillment in their career journey.

We act as a catalyst to help you help others to improve their lives through education, knowledge and skill acquisition, giving them rich career opportunities.  We will help your program stay focused on helping those you serve while aligning with institutional and grant requirements. We facilitate collaboration and communication to find common ground in an increasingly complex and diverse educational ecosystem. We identify emerging best practices for effective articulation, for jobseekers, between education providers and employers. 

Our team identifies the people, processes and technology needed to achieve your goals and maximize your returns. Our experts offer industry-specific knowledge and experience to craft effective strategies and solutions that drive performance, lower costs and generate value in your organization. Visit our Solutions section to see how we can help.

We have a team of research journalists who are actively scanning over the horizon to help give early warning of change or looming problems for career travelers. Visit our ReportOUT library to read some of our past quarterly publications, and bookmark that page as a source of quarterly inspiration. We believe in celebrating those who are actively engaged in changing the status quo and answering the ever-changing needs and pressures of our world. Visit our Agents of Change library to read about these incredible individuals. 

We are continuing on an exciting journey and a new era for synED. One that has the potential to substantively change the world at scale. We are pleased to make this journey with you, as another advocate for change and meaning in the career journey context.

Sincerely,
Scott Young
Executive Director and CEO

 

We Are SynED

SCOTT YOUNG

Position: President/ED
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Team

Scott Young is the President of SynED and Interim Director of the California Cyberhub. He has provided results-based technology and operational solutions to the public and private sectors for more than 25 years. He has worked with colleges at all levels, and with Fortune 100 companies.

His most recent work has been with the California Community College system and its Doing What MATTERS for Jobs and the Economy Initiative, which aims to make community colleges a catalyst for job creation across the state and close the ever-widening skills gaps across multiple sectors. This work lead to the formation of the California Cyberhub, which serves as a resource for the many partners working to create educational pathways to meet the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals.

Scott has also been a leader in SynED’s digital badge and compression planning initiatives. He has more than 15 years of experience in workforce development and helping companies create competency-based curriculum and assessment programs. He studied Art History, Criticism, and Conservation at the University of Utah and previously served as President, COO and VP of Corporate Services roles in the private sector.

SCOTT YOUNG

President/ED

Scott Young is the President of SynED and Interim Director of the California Cyberhub. He...

DAVID DAGGETT

Position: Director/CFO
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Team

Mr. Daggett graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Business Administration with an Emphasis in Accounting.  He attended Golden Gate University in the Masters of Taxation Program.  He also attended Ventura College of Law for one year before withdrawing due to his wife being diagnosed with cancer.

Mr. Daggett began his career at Arthur Andersen & Co. (the largest accounting firm in the world) in the tax & small business departments and, after two years was recruited away by Deloitte & Touche (formerly Deloitte, Haskins & Sells). Deloitte is currently the largest accounting firm in the world.  While at Deloitte, Mr. Daggett was the youngest person promoted to Tax Manager at the time.  He became a CPA in 1986 and a Certified Valuation Analyst in 1991.  Mr. Daggett has been a CPA for over 30 years and operated his own accounting firm since 1987 in addition to being involved in multiple other enterprises.

Mr. Daggett has been involved in numerous M&A transactions both as a Tax Manager on the Deloitte Mergers &Acquisitions team (in the Los Angeles office) and in his own accounting firm.  He has been involved in the sale or purchase of over 150 companies during his career.  Mr. Daggett has worked in international tax, corporate tax, individual and estate tax, and has specific experience working with high net worth individuals and companies in the engineering, Governmental Contracting, publishing, television and radio, construction, architectural, real estate, legal, medical, not for profit and service industries. Additionally, Mr. Daggett has been the CFO of a $250 million Venture Capital Fund where he was responsible for determining which companies were funded and accountable for how proceeds were used.

After his departure from Citadel Capital, Mr. Daggett formed Gator Hawk Armor, Inc.  As the CEO, Mr. Daggett built Gator Hawk from zero revenue to a multimillion-dollar body armor manufacturer where he was involved in all aspects of the operations of the company including the manufacturing processes, financial analysis, patent and trademark applications, ISO Certification, contract negotiations, cost analysis and international sales.  Mr. Daggett sold this company to a Canadian Public Company in late 2007.  Mr. Daggett continues to be involved closely with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

DAVID DAGGETT

Director/CFO

Mr. Daggett graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Business Administration with...

TEANA FREDEEN

Position: Operations Manager
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Team

Teana has over 20 years in management in the tech industry, in sales, customer service and program development. As a thought leader, she specializes in program development, bringing new ideas that drive initiatives forward and bring about change in an industry. In 2009, while working for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Teana developed the EPIC – Engineering Possibilities in College engineering outreach program to recruit more students into engineering careers, with a special emphasis on underserved students. Additionally, she was part of the team that launched the California Cyber Innovation Challenge statewide competition at Cal Poly in 2017. Teana joined synEDand its California Cyberhub program in late 2017 where she developed the California Mayors Cyber Cup competition to bring about cybersecurity awareness to the community while recruiting more students into cyber teams. 

Teana Fredeen brings 9 years of experience with directing STEM camps for K-12 students. She was the thought leader for the development of the EPIC – Engineering Possibilities in College engineering camp at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, along with a cyber security focused track within the EPIC program. With a BS Aeronautical Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a background in technical sales management, program management and customer service, Teana provides leadership as the Operations Manager of SynEd.

TEANA FREDEEN

Operations Manager

Teana has over 20 years in management in the tech industry, in sales, customer service...

JULIE DELFINO

Position: Administrative
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Team

Julie has over 20 years of management experience working for the Public Sector.  She has spent over 8 years working as an SAP SME Functional Lead – Auditor/Analyst for the County of San Luis Obispo, Auditor Controller’s Office.  Prior, she worked as an Administrative Services Officer for law enforcement where her positions included grant management along with fiscal and budget accounting.

She was attracted to SynED because of their dedication to helping others improve their lives through education, knowledge, and skill acquisition.  She loves to learn and loves to see others succeed!

JULIE DELFINO

Administrative

Julie has over 20 years of management experience working for the Public Sector.  She has...

DONNA WOODS

Position: Academic Relations Manager
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Team

Passionate in serving communities and students in her role asStatewide Academic Relations Manager for California Cyberhub(CAC), Donna is committed to our collaborative mission where we desire to “Enable a future ethical workforce by supporting quality training and competitions activities throughout California.”

She is thoroughly dedicated to the shared vision of CAC, and the outreach to all cybersecurity educators, community coaches, business leaders, mentors and students to share resource and best practices, offering equitable access to all students who endeavor to pursue viable ICT/Cyber careers. Outreach efforts for CAC include Facilitating Workshop Presentations, Professional Cyber Learning Communities, Cyber Coaches Training,Curriculum Development, and Media Presentations.  

Donna has a Master of Science in Workforce Education Development focused in ICT/Cyber Academic Pathways, and has served as a CTE/ICT Instructor for 20 years in Riverside County, California. Distinguished honors include Riverside County Teacher of the Year; Model of Academic Excellence and Innovation; and State Assembly 61st District, Women of Distinction.

DONNA WOODS

Academic Relations Manager

Passionate in serving communities and students in her role asStatewide Academic Relations Manager for California...

GUY SMITH

Position: Exec Editor - Report OUT
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Team

Prior to working with synED, he was Vice President and Chair of the Baccalaureate at Antioch University Santa Barbara. From 1976 until 2010, he was faculty and Dean at Santa Barbara City College. Responsible for the administration of the Business Division, the Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and the School of Media Arts which includes new media applications, game design, animation, film & television and journalism. For the past twenty-five years, Mr. Smith has been at the forefront of emerging information and communication technologies. Actively involved with the online information industry since its inception, he established Infomart Research, the first online information brokerage in California. As co-founder of Intellimation, a multimedia publishing company, he worked with software developers, publishers and content providers to distribute multimedia applications. For the past 15 years, Mr. Smith has managed and developed projects focusing on new media production, e-commerce and distribution, mobile media, and the use of game technologies in providing training and education. He has received grants from the National Science Foundation and the Economic and Workforce Development program from the State of California.

Having lived in Santa Barbara for 40 years, he is an active member of the community. Currently he serves on the Board of the MIT Enterprise Forum and New Beginnings.

He received his B.A. & M.A from San Diego State University before completing doctoral coursework in rhetoric and linguistics at the University of Southern California. He is married to Carola for twenty seven years with two children, Justin and Britta.

GUY SMITH

Exec Editor - Report OUT

Prior to working with synED, he was Vice President and Chair of the Baccalaureate at...

CHRISSY YBARRA

Position: Project Manager
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Team

Chrissy is a dedicated project manager gifted at performing specification and design reviews to ensure client expectations will be exceeded. Engaging and personable with the ability to monitor work quality, manage key milestones and deliver exemplary customer service. Well-versed in building positive relationships with customers and other stakeholders. Skilled at overseeing complex, high-value technical projects with excellent planning competencies.

CHRISSY YBARRA

Project Manager

Chrissy is a dedicated project manager gifted at performing specification and design reviews to ensure...

Diane Castanada

Position: Marketing & Communications
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Team
Organization: Digital Impact&

Diane Castaneda is the Social Media and Media Relations Manager for Digital Impact And, a digital marketing agency based in San Diego, CA. Diane studied Communications at SDSU and it’s a proud Aztec! With over 10 years of experience, she has worked for non-profits and start-ups helping them with bilingual media and digital marketing campaigns. She is fluent in Spanish and English and conversational Italian. She loves traveling and being outdoors with her daughter and husband.

Diane Castanada

Marketing & Communications

Diane Castaneda is the Social Media and Media Relations Manager for Digital Impact And, a...

Our Advisors

LAURA LEE

Position: Board Advisory Committee
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Advisers

Laura Lee is an Executive Vice President at Circadence Corporation. In this role, she applies her extensive knowledge and experience in cybersecurity workforce development to help organizations understand how to identify, assess, train and retain cybersecurity professionals.  She previously led the product development for the Circadence® Project Ares® next generation cybersecurity training and assessment platform and the Orion Mission Builder

She brings an exceptional record of leadership in the field of cyber exercises and training, previously directing the research and development at Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Lab in support of large scale exercises for US Cyber Command. She was instrumental in the creation of the first ever Cyber Protection Team Crew Operations Manual for US Military Forces and National Guard Teams using her concept of a small, agile mission team that has been adopted by the Army Cyber Protection Brigade as the standard.

Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics from the University of Notre Dame. She also has a Juris Doctorate from George Mason University School of Law. Laura is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and holds certifications in gamification and game development.  Laura was recognized as the “Cybersecurity Woman of the Year – North America 2019”. 

LAURA LEE

Board Advisory Committee

Laura Lee is an Executive Vice President at Circadence Corporation. In this role, she applies...

GARY WANG

Position: Board Advisory Committee
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Advisers

Mr. Gary Wang most recently served as the Army Deputy Chief Information Officer/G-6. Wang moved from his position as Director of Intelligence Systems and Architectures, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, where he has had executive oversight for numerous intelligence programs across the armed services and defense agencies since 2012.

In Army circles, he is best known as the change agent who will help the Army accelerate to the modern, secure and globally-available network needed now and for the future.

Wang, was also a member of the Senior Executive Service since 2005, served as an SES in several roles at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR). He was Director of Corporate Operations and Command Information Officer after being the SPAWAR’s Science and Technology national competency lead. Earlier, he was the Chief Technology Officer and Director of the Science, Technology and Engineering Department at SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific.

He began his federal career in 1983 at the Naval Underwater Systems Center as a project engineer. From 2001 to 2004, he was Program Manager for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Information Operations, responsible for development and acquisition of Navy cryptologic, meteorological, operational effects, and intelligence programs.

Wang also served as Executive Assistant for IT at the Program Executive Office for Space Communications and Sensors, Division Director for Technology Transition, and Assistant Program Manager for Combat Direction Finding. Prior to that position, he served as a test and evaluation director and software manager for signals intelligence programs.

GARY WANG

Board Advisory Committee

Mr. Gary Wang most recently served as the Army Deputy Chief Information Officer/G-6. Wang moved from...

SHEILA ZUEHLKE

Position: Board Advisory Committee
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Advisers

Sheila Zuehlke retired from the United States Air Force Reserve in June 2017 after 34 years of distinguished service, including as a Major General and Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 24th Air Force, Air Forces Cyber. During her Air Force career, she also served as the senior reserve advisor to the Commander, U.S. Cyber Command and Director of the National Security Agency.

In addition to serving in the United States Air Force, Ms. Zuehlke founded and ran a software development company, Dragon Research and Engineering, which specialized in applying emerging software technologies to create rapid prototypes and software solutions for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community problems. She currently provides consulting services under her new company, Z-Cube, LLC.

Ms. Zuehlke is a member of the Office of Secretary of Defense Reserve Forces Policy Board, an independent adviser to the Secretary of Defense. She is also Chairman of the Board for True Blue Service Dogs, Inc.–a non-profit training service dogs for veterans and retired law enforcement suffering from PTSD and other disabilities. Ms. Zuehlke serves on the Advisory Council for the University of San Diego’s Center for Cybersecurity Engineering and Technology. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Hawaii.

SHEILA ZUEHLKE

Board Advisory Committee

Sheila Zuehlke retired from the United States Air Force Reserve in June 2017 after 34...

RICK MCELROY

Position: Board Advisory Committee
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Advisers
Organization: Carbon Black VMWare

Rick McElroy, Head of Security Strategy for Carbon Black, has 20 years of information security experience educating and advising organizations on reducing their risk posture and tackling tough security challenges. He has held security positions with the U.S. Department of Defense, and in several industries including retail, insurance, entertainment, cloud computing, and higher education. McElroy’s experience ranges from performing penetration testing to building and leading security programs. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), a Certified Information Security Manager (CSIM), and Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC). As a United States Marine, McElroy’s work included physical security and counterterrorism services. His current role takes him all over the world working with organizations to improve their security strategies and speaking on security and privacy.

RICK MCELROY

Board Advisory Committee

Rick McElroy, Head of Security Strategy for Carbon Black, has 20 years of information security...

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