Lisa Schmucki ’70

Founder & CEO, edWeb.net
2025 Recipient of the Barbara Wight Biddison ’30 Distinguished Alumna Award

Education: Princeton University, history; NYU Stern School of Business, master’s degree in accounting

What I’m Doing Now: I spent the first stage of my career in marketing and product development with publishing and media companies. Part of that work was selling to schools, so I always wanted a better understanding of the needs of educators. When Facebook came out, it was like someone handed me a crystal ball. I saw how social networking could be a way to connect with educators. Students were at the forefront of this new technology, so we needed to help teachers learn how to use it. 

With the help of an angel investor, I created edWeb.net — a professional social network for teachers that has evolved into a virtual learning community for all educators. I developed a sponsorship model to provide all of the professional learning for free. In partnership with our sponsors, we listen to what educators need, establish learning communities on those topics, and recruit the best experts and innovative educators to present webinars on them. To date, we offer more than 4,000 recorded webinars and 500 podcasts on 125 different topics. We have over 500 sponsors and more than 1 million members in 185 countries. We partner with Kent Place’s Ethics Institute — Karen Rezach and Kent Place students at all grade levels have given several webinars on the ethics of artificial intelligence in schools, debating its pros and cons.

Right now, we’re working on growing the use of edWeb.net as a platform for school districts and colleges of education. edWeb.net is a platform for an entire school community — teachers in all roles as well as administrators, paraprofessionals, counselors, early childhood educators, and all staff. It’s also a great career exploration resource for pre-service teachers.

How KPS Influenced Me: I had many leadership opportunities at Kent Place. I began in seventh grade and served as president of my class for many years. In my senior year, I was president of Student Government. High school in the 1960s was a time of change, and it was difficult to get the administration to listen to student voices. I realized the faculty could be our allies in making change and created the idea of the Student-Faculty Senate — it’s now called the Senate, but it still exists, 55 years later! What I gleaned is the importance of building coalitions. You can’t do something alone; you need support from classmates and teachers and allies. You have to work together. Part of that lesson came from having really close relationships with my Kent Place teachers; I admired them. Creating edWeb.net has helped me to fully realize the extent to which they had an impact on my life.

Advice for My KPS Sisters: Stay true to what you enjoy, to your values, and to what gives you a sense of purpose in your life. There’s a lot of static that will try to distract you, but if you can stick to what gives you meaning, you’ll find your way. Also, stay connected! Never burn a bridge: You never know how your relationships with teachers, classmates, or friends will loop back. I remain close to my Kent Place classmates, and those relationships have been so supportive and helpful. To have 18 of us return for our 55th reunion is quite a statement! As you get older, there’s an incredible feeling of gratitude and love for those lasting connections and for your KPS sisterhood.

Profile as of 7/2025.