Pete's commitment to Excellence set a standard that inspired all of us. He believed in the power of data and the relentless pursuit of outstanding results. His determination to never settle for "good enough" challenged us to constantly raise the bar and exceed expectations and set B.H.A.G.’s (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). With Pete's guidance, we learned that true excellence is not an endpoint but an ongoing journey of growth and improvement.

Passion coursed through Pete, as he tirelessly championed the mission to change education one student at a time. His infectious energy and unwavering optimism ignited the same fire within each member of the Fusion Education Group family. Pete led by example, showing us that serving our students and each other with joy and dedication could transform the educational landscape. He fostered a sense of unity, celebrating the diversity of our team and the richness it brought to our collective endeavor.

Pete's spirit of Innovation emboldened us to question conventions and embrace change fearlessly and frequently. He nurtured a culture where creativity thrived and learning from both successes and failures was embraced. Pete believed that only by continuously seeking new and better ways could we truly transform lives and revolutionize education for the better.

The value of Courage, instilled by Pete, taught us the strength of respectful disagreement and the power of constructive debate. He cultivated an environment where diverse voices were heard and valued, encouraging us to show up authentically and hold each other accountable. With Pete's support, we grew as individuals and as an organization, recognizing that empowerment and growth stem from the courage to speak our minds.

Above all, Pete's unwavering belief in the immense potential of every human being was the cornerstone of the EPIC! values. He understood that what we do within Fusion Education Group has a profound impact on the lives of our students. This realization fueled our passion to seek out committed individuals who shared our devotion to changing lives through education. Pete's unwavering dedication and the urgency he instilled in us became a driving force, reminding us daily of the profound importance of our mission.

I have immense gratitude and admiration for the legacy he leaves behind. I hope we carry forward the torch he lit and uphold the EPIC! values in every action we take without limits, knowing that Pete's vision of educational transformation lives on through our unwavering commitment to excellence, passion, innovation, courage, and the pursuit of the extraordinary.

 

Though Pete's physical presence may be gone, his spirit will continue to guide us, lighting the path as we forge ahead to create a brighter future for the students whose lives we touch. Rest in peace, dear Pete Ruppert, knowing that your impact on education will continue to resonate for generations to come.

with love & immese gratitude! Gabby Pennisi

Pete walked the walk, he was never just talk. My favorite memory to share is that Pete would make it a point to walk through the entire office weekly to say hi and check in with every single employee, he'd ask how you were doing and about your family and life. Whenever a new employee started we would get to know them at our weekly office huddle with Pete putting them in the "hot seat" and asking questions like where they went to school, about their family, hobbies, etc. I loved that he made it a point for not just him, but everyone to be welcoming of new employees, including interns. It's part of what makes Fusion's culture so amazing. Culture was so important to Pete, and I know we will continue to build on that legacy for our students most importantly, but also for Fusion. Pete's legacy will continue to live on through all of those whose lives he impacted. I will always strive to match your level of Passion, Pete. 
Love and hugs,
Madison

When working with him on certain pieces or video messages he worked hard to get the words right, not because he wanted to be seen a certain way, but because what we do is so important and he wanted to make sure that got through. He was incredibly humble and never wanted the spotlight on him, he always wanted it to be about the important work we do. As he often said “we’re not in the business of making widgets, we’re in the business of changing lives.” His passion was contagious and will continue to live on.

Even though I was younger and had way less experience than him, he trusted me and listened to my thoughts. There were times we didn’t agree on something but he never said “I’m the CEO so we’re doing it my way.” That’s not who he was. He was always open to a conversation. He made me feel seen, heard, cared for, and celebrated. I was one of many people who worked for him but he knew me as an individual. The vision he set and the culture he created at Fusion Education Group has shaped me and helped me grow in so many ways.

I’ll miss his visits to our desks when in the office and him leading weekly huddles. I’ll miss his one-line emails with ideas he wanted to share. I’ll miss him asking to keep the bar open for one more hour at company events because everyone was still enjoying each other’s company and he didn’t want it to end. 

He was the "!" embodied and he is missed. - Melissa Kersjes

- Jenny Meyer

He believed in me at a time when change and uncertainty had me doubting myself. 

I was still at Futures when I traveled to Grand Rapids to attend a board meeting in 2019. At dinner that night, Pete asked me about my story. He asked me about how I got to California from midwest Cleveland.

“Do you want the short or long version?” I said. 

“The long one...”. 

He wanted to hear about my family. We exchanged stories about my time at OSU. We talked about our shared ties to growing up in Ohio.  He listened as though I was the only person in the room. Many of you had the same experience when sharing your stories with Pete. He truly cared. 

Pete offered me a role on his Executive team to lead Education and I soon learned, it was so much more than a promotion. It was an opportunity to join a loyal Fusion family. It was an opportunity to grow and push myself. To risk, lead, serve, and learn from him and so many others. 

I keep hearing his voice, “Hey kid…”. 

I can’t lie, I used to get kind of pissed that he would call me that :) But, I soon realized what an honor it was. See, Pete believing in me and taking me under his wing not only ushered me into becoming an Exec team member at Fusion but also a wife, a mother and the empowered leader he saw in me before I saw it in myself. So many of us who he mentored and have “grown” up with FEG over the last 10-15 years, no matter what age, were considered his kids. I was privileged to be one of those. 

Pete loved to call and talk to me about new ideas for our Ed program. He would shuffle through papers and emails and we would jump from topic to topic. He expressed a profound interest for what we were working on. He asked questions, connected me to others who could support along the way, and championed me and my Ed team in the best way he knew how. 

Pete had such an immense passion for what we do. He was so excited about who we are becoming. He believed profoundly in what we’re capable of. He showed up this way in weekly meetings, 1:1’s, dinners, strategy sessions. It fired me up. It inspired me. I grew so loyal to Pete and to Fusion that nothing could get in the way of the soul line work we were brought together to accomplish. 

He has left us with such a beautiful charge and model for living a life for others. 

•••••

Pete, I am so humbled by the way you showed up for me, mentored me and believed in me.

You changed my life as you have the lives of so many others. I would never have my Fusion family without you. I would never have met my husband and had my 2 beautiful kids without you. YOU CHANGED MY LIFE. 💜Thank you for taking a chance on me. Thank you for being one of my champions. I am forever grateful. I’ll miss you. 
~Lynna