Hope Online is managed by a team of experienced professionals who are dedicated to providing students a chance to succeed in academics and in life.

Hope Online Team

Heather O'Mara
Chief Executive Officer

With more than 20 years of experience across multiple fields, including education, technology, media and telecommunications, Heather O'Mara has a passion for k-12 and online education.

Ms. O'Mara takes an active role in Hope Online's daily operations; including academics, technology and finance, as well as strategic planning and execution, including Hope Online's charter contract and partnerships with the Douglas County School District. She enjoys working with community organizations, familiar with the culture and challenges faced by students, to expand educational opportunities. Ms. O'Mara is committed to providing students quality academic instruction by utilizing the benefits of online curriculum.

Prior to co-founding Hope Online, Ms. O'Mara spent eight years at Jones International Ltd. As President of Jones Knowledge, she was responsible for facilitating the innovation and growth of one of the country's first online education businesses and encouraging high schools and universities to adopt online education. She also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Jones Internet Channel, where she executed a content development license and acquisition strategy through relationships with cable television programmers and publishers.

Prior to Jones, Ms. O'Mara spent 10 years at Viacom Inc. as Vice President of Finance and International Operations. In addition, Ms. O'Mara was a CPA with audit and tax experience in the Emerging Business Services unit of Coopers & Lybrand. Ms. O'Mara earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and International Business from New York University in New York City.

Sherida Peterson
Chief Academic Officer

A veteran of Colorado public schools, Sherida Peterson is Chief Academic Officer for Hope Online.

Ms. Peterson is responsible for driving educational performance; overseeing curriculum, instruction and assessment; managing professional development programs and leading an educational team to increase educational opportunities for Hope Online students.

Prior to joining Hope Online, Ms. Peterson devoted 30 years to Jefferson County Public Schools where she received her start as an English teacher. Peterson rose through the ranks to become Chief Academic Officer. During her tenure with Jefferson County Public Schools, Ms. Peterson helped bolster student achievement and graduation rates and helped devise an academic and school improvement plan that received acclaim from the Colorado Department of Education. Ms. Peterson earned a Master's degree in curriculum and instruction and an EDS degree in administration and supervision, both from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Joyce Gietl
Chief Operating Officer

Joyce Gietl has served the alternative educational community for 20 years through expert consulting services for online and distance learning organizations.

As Chief Operating Officer for Hope Online Learning Academy Co-Op, Ms. Geitl oversees the day-to-day organizational operations of the school, including specific oversight of the Admissions and Records and Technology departments. Ms. Gietl was a co-writer of the charter application developing this concept, and served on its initial Board of Directors.

Prior to Hope Online, Ms. Gietl's held the position of Vice President of Account Management, Product Management and Customer Support for the e-education division of JonesKnowledge. From 1999-2003, she was responsible for customer retention and business growth of a $5 million+ online education company, directing the development of customer relationships to promote and deliver value-added products, training programs and professional services to online learning organizations. Prior to 1999, Ms. Gietl served several senior leadership roles at the various JonesKnowledge education companies, including Director of National Business Development, Director of Program Management and Director of Academic and Student Services.

Ms. Gietl possesses three years of classroom teaching experience and has always been a strong advocate of life-long learning. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech/English Education from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa and her Master of Arts in Business Communications from Jones International University in Centennial, Colorado.

Michael Cooke
Chief Compliance Officer

M. Michael Cooke joins the Hope Online team as Chief Compliance Officer. She is a fourth-generation Colorado native and is an advocate for advancing education opportunities in Colorado.

She has been involved in the public sector since being elected a Douglas County Commissioner in 1992. After six years on the Board of Commissioners, Ms. Cooke became a member of former Governor Bill Owens' Inaugural Cabinet as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, and later became Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Revenue. In that position, she successfully managed an annual budget of approximately $555 million and more than 1,400 employees.

Ms. Cooke earned a Bachelor's in Communication and holds a Business Management Certificate from the University of Denver, as well as a Certificate in Public Policy from the University of Colorado. Ms. Cooke currently serves on the Second Judicial District Nominating Commission, as well as the Denver Mountain Parks Advisory Board.

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