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Tess Michaels

Founder, Stride Funding | Forbes 30 Under 30

Tess Michaels is the Founder and CEO of Stride Funding, a mission-driven company tackling the healthcare labor shortage.1 She founded Stride in 2018 to connect health systems, high-quality schools, and diverse talent, transforming access to career pathways through innovative employer-sponsored student loan programs.12

Tess has an impressive educational background, holding a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Science from The Wharton School, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.2 Prior to founding Stride, she gained valuable experience as a Private Equity Associate at Vista Equity Partners.2

Her entrepreneurial journey began during her undergraduate years when she founded her first business at 19.4 Tess has been recognized for her achievements, including being named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 in education1 and winning the Grand Prize at the MIT FinTech Competition in 2019.4

Under Tess's leadership, Stride Funding has experienced significant growth. The company has raised substantial funding, including $170 million in debt and equity financing from investors like Graham Holdings, Slow Ventures, GSV Ventures, and Juvo Ventures.4 Recently, Stride Funding was added to the Forbes Fintech 50 list, a testament to its impact in the fintech industry.3

Tess is passionate about creating innovative financing solutions for students and addressing critical talent shortages in hard-to-hire fields.2 Her approach combines her background in finance with a mission-driven focus on improving access to education and career opportunities.

Highlights

Jun 20 · zoominfo.com
Tess Michaels - Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Stride Funding
Jan 17 · Benzinga
EXCLUSIVE: Stride Funding Unveils Employer-Sponsored Loan Programs to Combat Labor Shortages and Student - Benzinga
EXCLUSIVE: Stride Funding Unveils Employer-Sponsored Loan Programs to Combat Labor Shortages and Stu
Dec 14 · PYMNTS.com
FinWise, Stride Team on Employer-Sponsored Loans for Students - PYMNTS.com
Tess Michaels On Raising $170 Million To Help Students Fund Their ...
Tess Michaels | Conferences
Tess Michaels | Conferences

Related Questions

What inspired Tess Michaels to start Stride Funding?
How has Tess Michaels' background in healthcare influenced her approach at Stride Funding?
What are some key achievements of Tess Michaels since founding Stride Funding?
How does Stride Funding's approach differ from other student loan programs?
What challenges has Tess Michaels faced in her career, and how did she overcome them?
Tess Michaels
Tess Michaels, photo 1
Tess Michaels, photo 2
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Location

United States