Leading Through Change: A Conversation with Outgoing Board Chair Rod Zech
Rodney Zech can’t recall exactly when he first heard about Lumity, but he knows the connection began through his company, Clarity Partners, where he serves as a founder and managing partner. For years, Clarity Partners hosted Lumity events, welcoming students for competitions, workshops, and career-focused trainings.
In 2022, Rod joined Lumity’s Board of Directors and served as treasurer. In 2024, he was elected board chair. As he concludes his two-year term – one marked by both significant challenges and meaningful progress – we sat down with him to reflect on Lumity’s evolution and the impact of its work introducing young people to STEM careers.
Why did you pursue a career in STEM?
I’m a naturally curious person and have always been interested in math and science. Back in high school, I knew computers were going to play a major role in the future. So, I took typing class, taught myself how to program, and took several computer science classes in college, which ultimately led me to a career in technology.
Why did you decide to get involved with Lumity?
Lumity was a natural fit for me because it brings together two things I care deeply about: education and STEM. I have always believed that education is the most powerful tool we have to solve problems and create opportunity. My company, Clarity Partners, is a technology and management consulting firm, so Lumity’s focus on helping young people discover pathways into STEM careers really resonated with me.
What are the most important lessons that participants take away from their Lumity experience?
All of it! These young adults are being exposed to different career paths and opportunities they may never have considered. They’re getting hands-on training that can prepare them for well-paying jobs, while also developing the professional skills that can make a tremendous difference early in a career—how to communicate, how to write a professional email, how to present themselves, and what employers expect in the workplace. Lumity helps young people see opportunities they may not have known existed and gives them the tools to pursue them.
You’ve been board chair for two years. What are you most proud of?
We’ve faced some significant challenges over the past two years, particularly the reduction in federal funding. We responded by adapting and focusing our resources on where we believed we could have the greatest impact.
We leaned into our STEMWorks programs and really built those up. I’m a huge fan of the building trades. These are well-paying careers that are in high demand. The trades provide young people with a path to success that doesn’t require a traditional four-year college degree.
At the same time, we successfully completed and opened our new training center in Maywood. That was a major accomplishment and one of the most important investments Lumity has made in its future. We now have a permanent home where we can train young people, expand our programs, and build new partnerships to increase our impact. I’m proud that during a period of significant change, we didn’t stand still—we positioned Lumity for its next chapter.
How would you describe Lumity to someone new?
Lumity is an organization that’s not afraid to adapt. We continually evolve to meet the needs of young people and the realities of today’s workforce. And we’re an organization that moves the needle, whether we’re introducing high school students to careers they may have never considered or helping young adults develop the skills they need to enter the workforce. I love that we can do both well. At the end of the day, it’s about creating opportunities for young people and helping them build a path to a successful future.
Lumity is deeply grateful to Rod for his commitment to Lumity and for his incredible leadership!
You can help advance Lumity’s mission in many ways. Individual donations and corporate sponsorships enable us to connect more young people with life-changing opportunities in STEM. Our corporate partners help open doors by providing exposure, mentorship, and real-world experiences that inspire future careers. Learn more here about how you can support Lumity and help shape the next generation.
