Forrest Claypool

Forrest Claypool is the current CEO at Instant Connect. Forrest has previously served as the CEO of the Chicago Board of Education from July 2015 to December 2017, the President of Rise Health from December 2008 to May 2011, and a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of AKPD Message and Media, LLC from January 2002 to December 2008. Forrest has also worked as the Chief of Staff for the City of Chicago from January 1998 to June 1999.

Forrest Claypool is a experienced CEO, having successfully led and managed day-to-day operations of large organizations. Forrest is known for their ability to turn around organizations in financial crisis, as they did with the Chicago Board of Education, inheriting a $1.1 billion operating deficit and wiping it out in two years. Forrest is also credited with raising student test scores and expanding the nation-leading Personalized Learning initiative while at the Board of Education.

Prior to their work in education, Forrest Claypool served as the President of Rise Health, a company they co-founded in 2008. Forrest also has experience in politics, having served as the Chief of Staff for the City of Chicago from 1998 to 1999.

Forrest Claypool attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where they received their Doctor of Law. Forrest also attended Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, where they received their Bachelor of Science in Journalism.

Matt DeFano - VP, Engineering, Tracy McLeod - Chief Administration Officer, and Tony Pervan - CFO report to Forrest Claypool.