Our Leadership Team

Thomas Katsahnias
Senior Vice President, Operations

Mike O'Brien
Senior Vice President, Sales

Brett Shively

“I don’t know that anyone grows up saying ‘I’m going to devote my career to the learning, compliance and online education platform industry.’ That said, I’ve found a passion for developing people and delivering meaningful learning programs that help elevate careers.” As President and CEO, Brett is focused on defining undefined markets through cutting edge technology platforms, industry-leading content, and exceptional service. He brings a strong background in higher education, licensing certification and training as well as deep industry experience in highly regulated markets such as banking, financial services and insurance. He has held numerous executive level positions, most recently as Executive Vice President of Professional Education at OnCourse learning. Prior to that, Brett was Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Everspring Partners, Senior Vice President of Operations for Trident University International; Vice President, Keller Center for Corporate Learning at DeVry Education Group; Vice President of Sales, Becker Professional Education, also a DeVry Education Group entity; and Vice President, Sales for Kaplan Financial. Brett holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Political Science from Georgetown College.

Fun Facts About Brett

Spiders…can’t, won’t. Just no.
I love old, totally non-classic sedans. Land yachts. My favorite is the 1978 Lincoln Town Car.
May not look like it…but CrossFit and cardio are my therapy.
My spouse and my bulldog keep it real. Which one on any given day is a toss-up.

Todd Premo

“Creating effective products based in smart technology solutions and in response to real-world challenges has been a passion my entire career.” As the Chief Product Officer, Todd leads an organization of passionate individuals in the delivery of innovative product and technology solutions. With a focus on experience and delivering superior outcomes, our success is measured in the eyes of our users. Todd has over 23 years of product, technology, and leadership experience building high performing teams and market leading product solutions in learning and talent, healthcare, and environmental industries. Prior to joining OnCourse Learning, Todd led teams at Pulse, Inc. – serving the ambulatory healthcare market with clinical and practice management solutions. Previously, he focused on Talent and Learning solutions at Click2Learn, SumTotal Systems, GeoLearning, and Skillsoft where he helped introduce integrated talent systems and innovative offerings in virtual and mobile learning. Todd earned both BS and MS degrees in Engineering from Purdue University, has completed the Harvard Leadership program and is a Pragmatic Marketing alumnus.

Fun Facts About Todd

A self-proclaimed audiophile, I enjoy more than just listening. I have designed and built systems and entered competitions.
My frustration with fitness is clearly due to my wife’s awesome cooking.
Staying active with my kid’s activities has turned into trying to keep up (see above).
Born in NY, lived in Japan, love to travel, and as a life-long boater, I especially love being on the water.

Thomas Katsahnias

“Repeatable and scalable processes and systems with the assistance of technology.” Tom Katsahnias leads OnCourse Learning’s operations teams including Customer & Client Support, Business Systems, Implementation, Live Class Delivery, and Sales Operations. Starting with OnCourse in May of 2016, he brings over 15 years of sales and operations experience from multiple industries and perspectives to the team with a keen focus on client success and building cohesive cross-functional teams. Prior to joining OnCourse Learning Tom held various sales and sales management roles within the education industry, had P&L responsibility for a $110 million retail business unit, and served in the United States Army as a multifunctional logistics officer. Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from the University of Dayton, and a Master of Business Administration with a dual concentration in Finance and General Management from the Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University. He currently lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two sons.

Fun Facts About Tom

I’m secretly a Jedi, yeah, the kind from the movie. I just haven’t figured out how to move anything with my mind yet.
I not only build systems and processes, but I also build computers.
CrossFit is a big part of my life, I just wish I was as good at it as my wife.
I owned a really fast corvette, a curve in the road separated us.

Ann Reist

“Marketing and sales alignment is key to achieving our market and revenue goals. To be successful we must provide the right messaging, to the right person, at the right time and we must demonstrate how marketing impacts the bottom line.” Ann leads the B2B go-to-market strategy, drives marketing execution and uses data-driven insights to ensure a consistent stream of measurable inbound and outbound initiatives that increase awareness, drive pipeline and revenue, and position OnCourse Learning as a leader in technology-based learning. Ann came to OnCourse Learning in April of 2017 and brings over 25 years in marketing. She has held marketing roles in enterprise software and embedded technologies, education, healthcare, real estate, and direct marketing industries. She most recently led product marketing and demand generation for Flexera. Prior to Flexera, Ann held marketing roles at Follett Software Company, Enterprise Systems (purchased by McKesson), Melson Technologies, and LPC (purchased by Pitney Bowes). Ann has a Bachelor of Business in Marketing degree from Western Illinois University.

Fun Facts About Ann

I LOVE exploring the world. Learning about and exploring new places and cultures, puts me in my happy place.
I have an amazing (and very large) immediate and extended family that I love spending time with and sharing memories with.
I get excited reimagining old things – give me a hammer and a paintbrush and watch the magic!

Mike O'Brien

“Deliver high quality solutions & service where the value is so easily recognized it never needs to be pointed out.” Mike leads Sales and Client Experience functions within OnCourse Learning. He joined OnCourse Learning in June 2019 and has over 20 years of sales and marketing experience with a history of building and managing direct and channel sales organizations in Education, Healthcare and Postal Automation software industries. Mike is a Graduate of Northern Illinois University with BS in Business Administration and a Graduate of University of Phoenix with MBA. He currently live in Williams Bay, WI with Wife, Daughter, Son and our Beagle / Basset hound.

Fun Facts About Mike

I enjoy hiking, boating and apologizing to other golfers for being in their fairway
I’m a huge fan of classic cars and aspiring to get in the game someday soon
I have broken both wrists, both knees and a collarbone all while playing sports – all different accidents
Most memorable days: Wedding Day, Kids birth days and the Chicago Cubs finally winning the World Series

Kyle Bennett

“Passion is contagious. Leading through doing, rather than telling is the most effective way to create a passionate team.” Kyle Bennett leads OnCourse Learning’s webinar division previously known as Total Training Solutions (TTS). TTS was a 2018 acquisition that allowed OnCourse Learning to increase it’s market reach by offering leading webinars serving the training needs of the bank, credit union and mortgage industries. Kyle earned a BA in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He then went on to earn his MBA from DePaul University. His career in the financial industry started as a Management Trainee with First American Bank in Illinois. Kyle then joined TTS in 2006 and his role has expanded from “Email Marketer” to Senior Vice President. Kyle currently resides in Mt. Prospect, Illinois with his wife and two daughters.

Fun Facts About Kyle

Our family cabin in northern Wisconsin is my favorite place on Earth…even in the winter when it’s under three feet of snow.
Snowmobiling is my favorite recreational sport. Yes, I’m one of those weirdo’s that love winter (see above).
I’m a proud owner of the Green Bay Packers. Go Pack GO!
Living with four women (wife, two daughters and our dog) has taught me a lot of things, but I still can’t braid my daughter’s hair.