About us
The Pikmykid Story
Before the world with School Dismissal Softwares, Pat Bhava, Founder of Pikmykid, spent hours of his time waiting in car pick-up lines at his daughter’s school wondering if we could make it safer for our kids and easier for our teachers. He quickly learned that the school dismissal process in most schools is the most stressful time of the day for the school staff. What’s worse is that, in today’s digitally-driven world, the only technology schools use to manage this process are megaphones, walkie-talkies, and clipboards. Pikmykid team set out to build a simple system to make the school dismissal management smarter, safer, and more efficient by designing a comprehensive school dismissal software that actually works for the schools and teachers while keeping the parents happy and the kids safer. The product of that work is Pikmykid!
About us
The Pikmykid Story
Before the world with School Dismissal Softwares, Pat Bhava, Founder of Pikmykid, spent hours of his time waiting in car pick-up lines at his daughter’s school wondering if we could make it safer for our kids and easier for our teachers. He quickly learned that the school dismissal process in most schools is the most stressful time of the day for the school staff. What’s worse is that, in today’s digitally-driven world, the only technology schools use to manage this process are megaphones, walkie-talkies, and clipboards. Pikmykid team set out to build a simple system to make the school dismissal management smarter, safer, and more efficient by designing a comprehensive school dismissal software that actually works for the schools and teachers while keeping the parents happy and the kids safer. The product of that work is Pikmykid!
Sydney Anderson
Senior Director,Customer Success Operations
Sydney is an experienced Corporate Trainer, Educator, and Client Manager. She is knowledgeable about working with various educational systems and implementation. Sydney has a passion for helping others and traveling. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from the University of Central Florida.
Logan Babich
Sales Development RepresentativeLogan is a graduate of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. As a former educator, Logan observed firsthand the challenges young children face when pulled in many directions, igniting her passion for ensuring the safety of all children through advocacy for parents and teachers. In her free time, Logan enjoys outdoor activities and traveling.
Ash Bartholomew
Creative LeadAsh is a graphic designer whose background ranges from print to digital design. She’s passionate about both the visual and functional aspects of the design process, and believes good design is about much more than beautifying a product. She loves anything green and the outdoors, and can usually be found leading her local hiking club, collecting rocks, or thrifting vintage with her roommate for markets & pop-ups in her spare time.
Rey Bermudez
Tech LeadRey is a Software Engineer with an extensive background in web development. He loves to work in a team environment with Microsoft Technologies. Rey is passionate about water sports and baseball. He earned his Bachelors degree from the Computer Science University in Havana, Cuba.
Pat Bhava
CEO & Co-founder
Pat had been jolted into Pikmykid due to his personal experiences in school carlines. An ex-Naval fighter pilot and deep-sea diver with an MBA and BS in Physics, Pat is experienced in building teams and solving problems. He is a serial entrepreneur, having built and sold a few startups. His previous projects include Sachi Ventures, Inc., Tun-Du-Ree, LLC, and Spiceline Logistics.
Nick Carlson
Account ExecutiveNick has worked for over 5 years in Education Technology in various customer-facing roles. He understands the needs of the "end-user" and has years of experience demonstrating to large enterprise groups. He loves presenting! In his free time, he likes hanging out with his dogs and cats, reading books, and tinkering with technology.
Joey Dey
Software EngineerJoey graduated from USF in December 2019 with a degree in Information Technology. Outside of work he really enjoys being outdoors. He also particularly enjoys spending his time mountain biking and paddle boarding with some friends, or just hanging out watching some Lightning hockey. He's obsessed with Chipotle and can easily eat there a few times a week without getting tired of it, it's just too good.
JR Elliott
CTOJonathan Elliot specializes in taking software products from a napkin idea and executing a development strategy that ensures that product successfully makes it to market. When he is not coding, he enjoys spending time with his wonderful wife & driving their vintage cars.
Laura Gassaway
Onboarding Specialist,Customer Success
Laura Gassaway joins us from Charleston, South Carolina. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University in Instrumental Music Education and graduate degree from Anderson University in Instructional Design and Learning Technology. She is passionate about supporting school staff using technology. In her spare time she enjoys running, backpacking, cooking, and hanging out with her cat Charlie.
Christine Gemmel
Senior AccountantChristine has over 35 years working in the accounting field. She's worked with public, private, and non-profit companies throughout her career. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going on adventures and traveling, and loves music and movies.
Hilda Rodriguez Gomez
Software EngineerHilda is a Software Developer with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Computer Sciences in Havana, Cuba. She specialized in .NET and Angular technologies. Hilda enjoys spending quality time with her family outside of work, watching television, reading, and socializing with friends.
Michelle Gordon
Account ExecutiveMichelle was born and raised in Michigan but moved to Florida to finish her education at Palm Beach Atlantic University. There she received her Master’s Degree in elementary education and went on to teach elementary school for 8 years in Palm Beach County, Florida. She has two children who attended Palm Beach County Schools and then went on to UCF (Go Knights!) She was in publishing for 20 years - Starting as a consultant and then an account executive for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. She then spent a year with Frog Street Press as the Southeast Regional Sales Manager as well as the South Florida Account Executive. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, going to church, working out, golfing, listening to live music, and spending time with her friends
Kylie Hartwig
Account Manager,Customer Success
Kylie has been on a 7+ year journey of customer advocacy, that’s led her into the Finance and Human Resource Sector as well as helping her become an Executive Assistant. That journey has led her to become a valued member of the PikMyKid Support Team. When she’s not working, she enjoys pursuing her artistic side through painting, drinking coffee, and being a mom.
Holly Idzik
Onboarding Specialist,Customer Success
Holly comes from a background in teaching and software sales. She has a bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Central Florida. She is passionate about helping others and building relationships. In her free time, she enjoys teaching yoga and playing with her bulldog and bearded dragon.
Tricia Jean-Louis
Marketing SpecialistTricia Jean-Louis is a recent graduate from the University of Tampa, where she earned her B.S. in Marketing with a minor in Business Analytics. She has 2 years of experience working with small businesses and in agency settings, where she's honed her skills in website design, email marketing, and marketing research. Her proficiency extends to CRM systems, SEO, data analysis, and project management.
Growing up in a military family, Tricia developed a deep appreciation for diversity and a knack for connecting with people from various backgrounds. Outside the office, you'll find her nose buried in a fantasy or mystery novel, hanging out with friends, creating her next travel plans, or chasing her two mischievous cats around her home. She’s always on the hunt for new culinary experiences and has quite the list of favorite eateries (she stopped counting after 75).
Growing up in a military family, Tricia developed a deep appreciation for diversity and a knack for connecting with people from various backgrounds. Outside the office, you'll find her nose buried in a fantasy or mystery novel, hanging out with friends, creating her next travel plans, or chasing her two mischievous cats around her home. She’s always on the hunt for new culinary experiences and has quite the list of favorite eateries (she stopped counting after 75).
Chitra Kanagaraj
Co-founder,Chief Operating Officer
Chitra Kanagaraj is the Chief Operating Officer and Founder of Pikmykid, a cutting-edge platform enhancing school safety and dismissal management. With over 25 years of experience in Strategy & Transformation, Business Development, Solution Delivery, and Product Management, Chitra excels in leading teams to deliver innovative solutions.
As COO, she oversees daily operations and ensures Pikmykid’s vision for safer, more efficient school environments is achieved. Her responsibilities include product leadership, guiding the development and refinement of offerings to meet the evolving needs of schools and parents. Her strategic approach drives innovation and user-centric solutions.
Chitra holds an MBA from the University of South Florida and a BS in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. A recognized leader in EdTech, she is passionate about empowering women in tech and supporting emerging leaders, serving as Treasurer and Board Member of TiE Tampa Bay.
Chitra holds an MBA from the University of South Florida and a BS in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. A recognized leader in EdTech, she is passionate about empowering women in tech and supporting emerging leaders, serving as Treasurer and Board Member of TiE Tampa Bay.
Jenna Knoke
Onboarding Specialist,Customer Success
Jenna is an experienced educator with over a decade of teaching experience. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from College of Charleston and her Master’s Degree in Reading Education from the University of South Florida. As a teacher, she used Pikmykid in the classroom and is passionate about sharing the platform with other educators in order to make schools a safe place to continue learning. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog Jerry, Pilates, and is an avid Tampa Bay Lightning fan.
Michelle Kristoff
Director of Marketing OperationsMichelle Kristoff, an experienced professional, became Pikmykid's Director of Marketing Operations in 2024, bringing a wealth of expertise in business, sales, marketing, and SaaS strategy. Her career highlights include achievements in product marketing, global marketing, strategy, and CRM for various international and domestic brands. Over the past five years, she focused on expanding technology platforms in events and education, demonstrating adaptability and proficiency. Michelle leads Pikmykid's marketing operations with a blend of leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, aiming to drive business growth and innovation. She holds an MBA in Marketing from Texas Tech University's Jerry S. Rawls College of Business Administration, complemented by a BBA in International Business with a minor in German, enriching her global perspective and cross-cultural competencies.
Jamie Kunder
Onboarding Specialist,Customer Success
Jamie is an experienced educator and training specialist with a background in both education and educational leadership. She has a passion and drive for helping others achieve success and developing confidence with their abilities. Jamie brings 12 years of experience working within both middle school and elementary school giving her a deep understanding of the unique safety and convenience of the Pikmykid app and its features. Jamie believes reflection is a key component to success as she uses this to exceed goals and continuously improve.
Jennifer Loxton
Onboarding Specialist,Customer Success
Jenn holds a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and a Master's in Reading Education from the University of South Florida. With 19 years of experience in general and special education, she specializes in literacy education. In 2022, she joined an educational curriculum company, training educators across the U.S. on literacy implementation, leading her to customer success. Jenn is dedicated to creating productive and safe learning environments. Outside of work, she enjoys family time, live music, iced coffee, and evening beach trips.
Austin Mathews
Sales Development Team LeadAustin graduated from UNC - Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Information Science with a focus in Business and Systems Analysis. He has experience teaching at libraries as a volunteer and assisting in data science research at UNC Chapel Hill. He comes from a SaaS background and has an interest in educational technology and how it can help keep kids safe. He enjoys hiking, sprinting, weightlifting, social studies, practicing the harmonica, and making sushi.
Hannah Meador
Customer Success ManagerHannah received her Bachelor's degree in elementary education from Western Oregon University. Her six years of experience in teaching has given her the background to understand the needs of the teachers, parents, and students who all rely on systems to keep students safe at dismissal. Hannah has also spent time working in retail and customer service in stores and theme parks. In her free time, Hannah enjoys playing video games, exploring Florida's nature, and cooking.
Stacey Neal
Account ExecutiveAs a former charter school Director of Operations, Stacey is passionate about school safety and efficient systems. She has a combined ten years of experience as an educator and administrator. Stacey holds a BA from the University of Miami, MBA from Florida International and M.Ed from Lipscomb University. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, baking, Peloton workouts and all things Bravo TV.
Alan Pavese
VP of FinanceAlan spent the last dozen years working with companies and platforms across the Ed Tech market, including at Cengage, Macmillan Learning and Wiley where he led strategic finance efforts in FP&A, revenue operations, pricing, M&A, business management, content operations, and global omnichannel distribution. Prior to that he worked at leading Investment Banks Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse as a sell-side Equity Research Analyst. Alan brings a combined 20 years experience in planning and reporting on growth and value creation strategies in B2B and B2C markets. A strong background in data ecosystem architecture, analytics and management combined with a quant-oriented education enables Alan to design and build critical driver and KPI frameworks that help businesses improve growth and value creation.
Alan has a B.S. degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the University of Buffalo, and an MBA in Finance & Accounting from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business.
Alan has a B.S. degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the University of Buffalo, and an MBA in Finance & Accounting from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business.
JJ Roberts
Board Member and Director of Public RelationsJJ Roberts has been a successful entrepreneur for over 30 years, founding his first startup in 1984. After the sale of his fourth startup in 2008, he began helping other entrepreneurs navigate the path to success as a mentor. He met Pat as Pikmykid was just beginning. Soon his passion to again, be part of something important, took over and he joined Pikmykid full time. He spends what little spare time he has playing golf, competing in triathlons, or writing his second children’s novel.
Eric Sala
Renewal Manager,Customer Success
Eric is a business graduate of the University of South Florida with a background in sales support and marketing. He has helped streamline the efficiency of sales teams in the radio broadcast industry but is passionate about keeping kids safe and implementing new ideas. In his spare time, he loves playing guitar, songwriting, photography, and backpacking abroad.
Sandra Salgado
Director,Customer Support and Enrollment
Sandra has a Bachelor’s degree in Education, specialization in Spanish language. She is originally from Cuba, where she taught for eight years. She was IT instructor at a business school in New Jersey. She moved to Tampa three years ago. Here she worked for two years as a bilingual paraprofessional at Chamberlain High School and one year as Spanish teacher at Alonso High School. She is married and has two kids. She loves to help people, spending time with her friends and family, and watching TV.
Lauren Schlensker
Account ExecutiveLauren is an experienced educator passionate about making school operations safer and more efficient for staff and students. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Cincinnati and her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Xavier University. Outside of work, she enjoys being a mom to three boys and working out on her Peloton.
Melissa Schmitz
Product Marketing ManagerMelissa joined Pikmykid in 2024 as a Product Marketing Manager, bringing a wealth of experience in mobile app technology, product marketing, and nonprofit work focused on school safety. Based in the Salt Lake City area with her family, Melissa grew up on a family farm in North Dakota, where she developed a strong work ethic and a passion for problem-solving. Melissa excels in go-to-market strategy, customer insights, compelling content creation, messaging and positioning, and creative storytelling. Her diverse background equips her to craft innovative marketing strategies that resonate with target audiences and drive product success.
She holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration and Marketing from Minnesota State University Moorhead, where she also had the opportunity to study abroad in Portsmouth, England. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family, traveling, reading, and indulging in her interests in photography, museums, music, fashion, theater, and sports.
She holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration and Marketing from Minnesota State University Moorhead, where she also had the opportunity to study abroad in Portsmouth, England. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family, traveling, reading, and indulging in her interests in photography, museums, music, fashion, theater, and sports.
Mike Schwab
Enterprise Account ExecutiveMike Schwab brings over 14 years of experience in EdTech sales, with a deep commitment to understanding the unique needs of his customers. He excels at representing solutions that create significant impact and value for districts, administrators, students, and parents. Passionate about SaaS companies that enhance collaboration, boost parent engagement, and ensure schools are safe and enjoyable environments, Mike has held key roles at industry-leading organizations. He began his Edtech career on the Google for Education team, followed by roles at Dropbox Education, Amazon Education, and most recently, ParentSquare.
Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, attending concerts, fishing, and engaging in many outdoor activities with friends and loved ones.
Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, attending concerts, fishing, and engaging in many outdoor activities with friends and loved ones.
Sara Wernikoff
Account ExecutiveSara graduated from the University of Central Florida with her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. As an educator for five years, she has a passion to help students and teachers. As a previous Pikmykid user in the classroom, Sara can relate to educators with the struggle of the dismissal process and the ease this platform brings to schools. When she is not working, she enjoys her time outside by the water.
Neha Yadav
Customer SuccessNeha is a College Graduate where she studied Anthropology. She has a great interest in the study of human behavior and possesses vast experience in customer support. She believes in going above and beyond to keep the customer happy and provide them with a satisfactory resolution on time.
Claudette Zoll
Director,Strategic Relations
Claudette, received her degree as an Registered Nurse while raising her four girls. Her passion for education lead her to work for a non-profit school. She worked several years in the school system as an assistant to the Executive Director. There she learned various aspects of running a school. Her dedication to children is what keeps her constantly learning. One day her goal is to travel the world and learn a different language
Bashful
Employee of the MonthBashful is PikMyKid's resident guard dog & nap expert. He enjoys long walks, welcoming visitors, & raiding the break room fridge.
Meisie
Senior WoofersonMeisie - Meaning "Girl" in Afrikaans. She is a rescue from Friends of Strays. Has a propensity for always finding work to do. If it is chasing a squirrel or testing out different toys, she is always on the move. Favorite saying "it doesn't taste like nothing".