Federal Contractors/Technology: JAMES J. RHYU

In an essay for Forbes in March, Rhyu asked whether work is “something we do or something we are?” Challenging employers to rethink the necessity of a college degree, he pondered whether the education industry is allowing students to discover their passions. “Answering these questions will help get us closer to reimagining what the post-pandemic workplace could and should be,” Rhyu wrote.

Rhyu has led online learning company Stride (formerly known as K12 Inc.) since January 2021. Stride changed its name to reflect its move toward lifelong learning, including training for health care and technology workers and staffing and talent development for Fortune 500 companies. Stride has more than 7,600 employees worldwide, including about 600 in Virginia, and reported more than $1.5 billion in revenue in fiscal 2021.

Rhyu previously served as Stride’s chief financial officer and president of corporate strategy, marketing and technology. He previously held accounting and finance roles at Match.com, Dow Jones and Sirius XM Radio Inc. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the London Business School.

Stride ranked No. 6 on FlexJobs’ list of top companies hiring for hybrid jobs in 2022.