Sage Business & Education empowers educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and small businesses across California with practical strategies and hands-on support. Founded by James Hayes, Sage is committed to helping partners implement new initiatives, navigate challenges, and drive meaningful growth.

We offer a full suite of services, including project management, strategic planning, report and plan coordination, industry and employer engagement, grant management, and professional development facilitation. Our mission is to help build tomorrow’s workforce by advancing student success in both college and career readiness.

Sage stands out for expertise in:

• Adult education consulting
• Consortium management and plan coordination
• Career pathway mapping and community asset mapping
• Employer partnership development
• CTE program consulting and curriculum alignment
• Data collection, evaluation, and visualization
• Grant management and writing
• Professional development and PLC coaching
• Project management
• Strategic plan development
• Student recruitment strategies and WASC accreditation support

​Sage Business & Education has worked with a wide variety of clients, including school districts, community colleges, workforce development boards, regional consortia, and national organizations.  If your organization is ready to move from strategy to action, Sage Business & Education is here to help you achieve results that matter.

Read our full Capability Statement

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Proudly, Sage is recognized as a Certified SB(Micro) Business by the State of California.

Meet the Team!

 

James Hayes

Founder and President

James Hayes is the founder and president of Sage Business & Education, partnering with K12 districts, community colleges, adult education programs, and non-profits to turn plans into measurable results. He specializes in strategic planning, project management, employer partnerships, and data-informed decision-making that connect education to real career pathways.

A former teacher with 12 years in the classroom, James has supported education leaders since 2012 on initiatives such as multi-year strategic plans, professional development, digital credential adoption, CRM modernization, and grant management. His work brings stakeholders together, builds clear operating rhythms, and delivers scalable programs including work-based learning, pre-apprenticeship design, curriculum development, PLC implementation, and data collection and evaluation.

​Clients value his clear communication, pragmatic execution, and unwavering focus on student success across the full education spectrum.

 

Jennifer Prado

Education Coordinator

As an experienced educational leader, Jennifer has successfully planned, implemented, and evaluated various educational programs and initiatives. At the Education to Career Network Regional Consortium, Jennifer provided technical assistance and support to the Leadership Board, guiding six adult education providers in North County, San Diego. In the Innovation Division at the San Diego County Office of Education, Jennifer assisted K12 school districts and community colleges in building and strengthening K14 pathways, implementing college and career readiness curricula, and securing significant grant funding.

Previously, as Program Manager at North Orange County ROP, Jennifer led a team to enhance and implement career pathway programs and coordinated professional development training. Jennifer's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership & Organizational Management from John F. Kennedy University, an Administrative Services Credential from the San Diego County Office of Education, and a Designated Subjects Teaching Credential from the State of California.

 

Christina Contreras

Project Management & Education Consultant

Christina Contreras is a dedicated educational leader with nearly twenty years of experience in education and youth development, specializing in college and career access. Contreras has effectively worked with diverse age groups, spanning from kindergarten through college, and has a profound understanding of workforce development. She excels at identifying and addressing the unique needs of her clients, using her adaptive skills to fill in gaps and enhance educational and professional opportunities. Her passion for supporting educational and career pathways is matched by a deep dedication to creating equitable and impactful solutions for all learners and professionals she encounters.

In her role at Sage Business & Education, Contreras supports clients by providing comprehensive services in website development, marketing and promotions, database management, and administrative needs. Her extensive expertise is complemented by a commitment to equity and educational justice, ensuring that every initiative and project aligns with the principles of inclusivity and fairness.

 

Maxie Gluckman

Senior Advisor, Education and Workforce Systems

Dr. Maxie Gluckman is a leader in education and workforce development with 15+ years of experience across North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. She specializes in bridging research and practice to expand workforce pathways and youth opportunities - particularly for historically marginalized populations - and has a proven record of delivering complex, multi-region projects on tight timelines. 

Gluckman has secured and managed over $45 million in philanthropic, public, and private-sector funding, directing cross-sectoral, multinational teams in 20+ countries. Her expertise spans program design and monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL), with a focus on equity-driven, evidence-based solutions. Fluent in Spanish and English, she brings a global perspective grounded in strong local partnerships and deep community engagement. 

 

Laura Roderickz

Regional Data Analyst, Workforce & Community Impact

Laura has a strong background in workforce development, labor market research, and community-focused analysis. She brings expertise in transforming datasets into clear, actionable insights that drive strategic decision-making. Over the past several years, she has led projects ranging from regional workforce gap analyses to public safety realignment planning, blending quantitative research, qualitative engagement, and cross-sector collaboration. Her work has spanned sectors including economic development, education, and public safety, consistently focusing on identifying unmet needs, evaluating service gaps, and supporting data-driven policy and program design. She excels at disaggregating and visualizing data for diverse stakeholders, ensuring that information is not only accurate but also accessible for real-world impact. Additionally, her expertise combines technical proficiency in Tableau, Power BI, Looker Studio,  Python, and SQL with an understanding of policy and community impact, ensuring data is transformed into strategies that drive measurable outcomes.

​Most recently, at the Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research, she led in-depth analysis of emerging occupations and industry trends across California’s community college regions. Her work produced data-driven reports that guided program planning and resource allocation for high-demand sectors, ensuring workforce training aligned with regional economic priorities.

 

Cai Thomas

UX & Service Design Specialist for Social Impact

Mission-driven professional with over a decade of experience at the intersection of international development, education, and social impact. Demonstrated success in expanding access for women, girls, and historically excluded communities through programs designed with participants, not just for them. Brings deep expertise in human-centered design, inclusive research, and equity-focused strategy, with a strong track record of leading cross-cultural teams and co-creating solutions with local partners. Currently skilling up in UX and service design to better integrate user-centered approaches into program and service design. Committed to advancing equity, access, and measurable impact through thoughtful, evidence-based design.

 

Matt Rhoads

Educational Technology and Instructional Strategy Integration Expert

Matthew Rhoads, Ed.D., is an expert and innovator in educational technology and instructional strategy integration within online, blended, and traditional in-person classroom settings. As a practicing technology and instructional leader, trainer, integrationist, and coach in Adult Education, K-12, and Higher Education, he develops EdTech tool instructional integrations with research-based instructional strategies to drive instruction. He is a coach and professional learning specialist for new and experienced teachers within the consortium and at a local university. He also has experience managing learning management systems, student information systems, and developing digital badge programs. He also supports schools in WASC accreditation, data-driven decision-making, and audits, and serves on visiting WASC committees. Dr. Rhoads' publications focus on integrating instructional strategies with EdTech tools to amplify student learning within in-person, online, and blended learning classrooms. His latest books include Crush it from the Start: 50 Tips for New Teachers,  Instruction Without Boundaries: Enhance Your Teaching Strategies with Technology Tools in Any Setting, Amplify Learning: A Global Collaborative Series, and Navigating the Toggled Term: A Guide for K-12 Classroom and School Leaders. He also has his podcast, Navigating Education - The Podcast, which discusses all topics related to education and instruction. For more information on Dr. Rhoads and his work, visit his website at www.matthewrhoads.com.

 

Karina Vera

Adult Education Data Specialist

Karina Vera is an accomplished professional with over 9 years of dedicated service in the field of adult education. With a Bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership from National University, Karina has demonstrated a keen understanding of organizational dynamics and leadership principles, which she applies to her work with adult learners.

Throughout her career, Karina has been instrumental in ensuring that the adult schools she collaborates with meet their data and accountability needs effectively. Her commitment to excellence and attention to detail have consistently contributed to the success of educational programs and initiatives. Karina takes pride in her ability to build positive and meaningful relationships with colleagues, students, and stakeholders alike. Her interpersonal skills and empathetic approach create an inclusive and supportive learning environment conducive to student success.

Driven by her passion for education, Karina is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Elementary Education at Western Governors University. With her unique blend of experience, expertise, and genuine enthusiasm for helping others, she is poised to inspire and empower future generations through education.

 

Karen Barroso

Adult School Professional Development Consultant and Coach, Specializing in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

Karen Barroso is a highly experienced adult school educator, skilled in staff development, program design, curriculum development, and course design. She is an imaginative and creative teacher, facilitator, and teacher trainer, specializing in training adult school agencies in CA on Professional Learning Community concepts and implementation practices, and developing CTE programs in business and industry. She coordinated professional development for adult education teachers in the Southern Alameda County Consortium (SACC) to create course transitions and career pathways and networks with agencies in the region to build cross-agency partnerships.

 

Ana Sandoval

Efficiency and Systems Implementation Specialist

Experienced Accounting & Financial Manager with a strong educational background, including a Bachelor of Science, Masters in Accounting, and MBA. Proven expertise in cost accounting, financial analysis, and FP&A, with experience in FDA-regulated pharmaceutical firms, multinational public corporations, and CLIA-regulated startups. Demonstrated leadership in implementing financial systems like NetSuite, enhancing organizational efficiency through cross-functional collaboration. Versatile experience in R&D, manufacturing, and Quality Control, providing a comprehensive understanding of business operations. Passionate about mentorship, knowledge sharing, and fostering effective communication between scientific, lab, and financial teams.

 

Ed Schmalzel

Adult Education Consultant

​Ed Schmalzel has been involved with education in the Fresno County area since 1987. He retired in 2023 as the Clovis Adult Education Principal in Clovis Unified School District, a large suburban school district in the Central Valley.

A former CTE Adult School Learning Director, Special Ed Instructional Aide, Teacher, Activities, and Athletic Director, Ed was previously the Head Guidance Counselor at Clovis High School. He has been involved with CCAE since the first year he moved to Adult Ed in 2014 and held both Clovis Chapter, Central Section, and State level positions. He and his wife, Karen, have three grown children and live in Clovis, California.

 

Heather Maloy

Community College Non-Credit and SB554 Specialist

Heather is a dedicated and accomplished strategic educational visionary leader with over 20 years of extensive experience spanning Career Technical Education, higher education, and adult education. Holding a Doctorate in Education from the University of the Pacific, Heather's expertise lies in initiative implementation, program development, strategic planning, budget management, and community engagement. Her professional journey includes notable roles such as Co-Director of the DSAEA and Project Manager at San Joaquin Delta College, where she has driven systemic change and fostered partnerships through initiatives like the AB104 and SB554. With a strong commitment to supporting adult learners across California, Heather aims to be a catalyst for success within the San Joaquin Delta College system, California Adult Education Program, and California Community Colleges.  

 

Taryell Simmons

Workforce Development Specialist

Taryell Simmons is on a mission to help young people find their passion and peruse their purpose. Taryell believes that successful careers come from being connected to one's strengths, abilities, skills, and passion. This is why he has dedicated his career to exposing people to opportunities that will help them figure out paths to combine their talents with a career they love. Taryell is a RISE Urban Leadership Institute graduate.

 

Juan Ortiz

Event & Marketing Coorinator

Juan is a San Diego transplant currently working as a freelance events coordinator and as the director of marketing for a sharing economy startup. Juan grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts and enlisted in the Marine Corps as a helicopter mechanic shortly after high school. After being honorably discharged from his duty station in San Diego, Juan attended a local college for a degree in psychology and communications. When possible, Juan helps nonprofit organizations with marketing consulting and event logistics. He has a passion for volunteering and can often be seen enjoying french fries or a good bowl of mac n cheese.

See a list of past and present clients who have chosen Sage Business & Education to optimize their work. 

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