Introducing: Kira's Newest GTM Team Members

This quarter, we welcomed three new members to our go-to-market team, each bringing a rare mix of classroom experience and edtech expertise. Get to know them.

Ashley Hart, Solutions Architect

What brought you to Kira?

I've spent my career at the intersection of education and technology — helping districts cut through the noise of fragmented tools to find solutions that actually land in classrooms. What drew me to Kira is that you're not just building another edtech product — you're building the connective tissue that the K-12 ecosystem has desperately needed: one intelligent platform that unifies curriculum, assessment, and personalized learning at scale.

So often in education, the decisions that feel most comfortable for adults are not the best decisions for students. I have always believed that students should be at the center of everything we do as educators, and Kira lives into that belief.

How do you see your role contributing to Kira's mission?

My background in instructional design, curriculum development, and professional learning means I've seen firsthand what happens when technology is handed to educators without a bridge. My role as a Solutions Architect is to be that bridge in the sales cycle — aligning districts' operational friction, curricular challenges, and student needs to Kira's AI capabilities while speaking the language of instructional impact. It's my mission to get leaders to their Kira "a-ha" moment and create a deep understanding that Kira can meet their bespoke needs in the now and grow with them in the future.

What's something your new colleagues might be surprised to learn?

At 14 years old, my first job was working at the busiest Dunkin' Donuts in the United States — we made all the donuts and bagels from scratch on site. I worked there for 7+ years, and that experience was formative to who I am today. Oh, and I also have a black belt in Kenpo karate.

Elizabeth St. Onge, Director of GTM

What brought you to Kira?

My path to Kira is one of the most full-circle moments of my career. I started in the classroom as a 1st grade teacher in the NYC Department of Education, and those years were instrumental in shaping me. I saw firsthand what teachers carry every single day: the weight of differentiated needs, limited time, and the constant pressure to reach every kid. From there, I moved into special education administration at charter schools, then spent a decade in edtech building, selling, and leading solutions meant to solve the very problems I once lived.

When I found Kira, I didn't just see a product — I saw a purpose. This is the role that ties every chapter of my career together.

What's something your new colleagues might be surprised to learn?

I played rugby in college! It's not exactly what people expect when they hear my background in early childhood education and special ed — but rugby taught me everything about showing up for your team, staying resilient when things get hard, and never taking your eyes off the goal. Those lessons have followed me into every classroom, every leadership role, and every deal I've ever worked on.

What are you most excited about as you start your journey here?

Honestly? The impact. I've spent my career close to the problem and now I get to be close to the solution and help educators realize it. What excites me most is that Kira isn't just another tool. It's a genuine answer to challenges that district leaders, teachers, and providers have navigated for years. I feel a deep sense of duty to the teachers and students I once stood beside, and this role puts me in a position to honor that. I'm excited to help Kira land the right way, with credibility, authenticity, and staying power in the market.

What do you love doing outside of work?

Life outside of work is full and loud and wonderful. I have twin toddler girls who keep me on my toes every single day — pure joy and pure chaos in the best possible way. We also have two dogs who fit right into the beautiful mayhem. When we can, we head to the beach. I love reading, making memories with friends and family, and soaking up every moment with the people I love most. Family is everything to me, and honestly, it's a big part of why this work matters: I want the world my girls grow up in to have better, smarter, more supported educators in it.

Tara Lurie, Account Executive

What brought you to Kira?

Before Kira, I spent time on both sides of the education experience — first as a middle school English teacher, then as a Senior Strategic Account Executive. That combination shapes everything about how I approach this work. As a salesperson, I'm drawn to teams that are intentional and intelligent, especially at pivotal moments in a company's growth. As a former educator, I hold a high bar for products: they need to be methodically built and demonstrably impactful. Kira clears that bar in a way I genuinely haven't seen before.

What's something your new colleagues might be surprised to learn?

I'm surprisingly handy! I've tackled everything from hanging chandeliers to light mechanic work, and my tool collection keeps growing — a fact my Home Depot targeted ads are very aware of.

How do you see your role contributing to Kira’s mission of transforming education through AI?

As an AE, I see myself as Kira's first impression with a district — and first impressions matter. My job is to listen carefully, diagnose what a district truly needs, and connect those needs to what Kira makes possible. AEs shape the narrative of a district's entire journey with a company, and I believe the better I am at telling that story with clarity and honesty, the greater the transformation we can collectively make.

What do you love doing outside of work?

I'm a proud New York sports fan — the Liberty, Knicks, and Mets are my favorites, for better or worse. My love of competition also extends to the New York Times games: Crossword, Wordle, Connections — I'm in for all of it, every day.

Welcome, Ashley, Elizabeth, and Tara — we're so glad you're here.