Presence Promotes Felipe Murillo to Chief Technology Officer to Enhance Special Education Services
Felipe Murillo's Promotion to CTO at Presence
Presence has recently elevated Felipe Murillo to the position of Chief Technology Officer (CTO), a move that underscores the company's dedication to enhancing the delivery of K–12 special education technology and teletherapy services. As the new CTO, Murillo is set to oversee the engineering, cybersecurity, and AI strategy of the firm, aiming to further innovate and secure the solutions tailored for schools. The organization has emphasized the need for technology that not only streamlines operations but also helps educators dedicate more time to their students while gaining valuable insights into their academic journeys.
In an announcement, Kate Eberle Walker, CEO of Presence, highlighted the growing necessity for schools to implement advanced, reliable technologies to navigate the increasingly complex landscape of special education. Walker stated, "Schools require technology that enhances team effectiveness, allows educators to spend additional time with their students, and provides significant insights into student support and performance. Felipe's technical expertise and strategic vision will help us fulfill this promise."
Addressing the Unique Challenges in Special Education
Currently, an estimated 7.5 million students in the United States receive special education services. The challenges facing these programs are substantial, including staffing shortages, increased administrative duties, and fragmented systems. To address these hurdles, Presence integrates high-quality services with specialized technology. The company operates a nationwide network boasting over 2,000 licensed clinicians who facilitate access to vital services such as psychological evaluations, speech-language therapy, and mental health counseling.
Central to its approach is the Kanga platform, which simplifies the processes of planning, delivering, and documenting services for clinicians and education teams. Additionally, the Education Modified platform streamlines the management of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), accommodations, and compliance documentation. By combining these solutions, Presence aims to significantly reduce administrative workloads while improving coordination and transforming data into actionable insights, enabling educators to devote more attention to their students' needs.
Presence has thus far partnered with over 11,000 schools across 47 states and has conducted more than 8 million remote evaluations and teletherapy sessions. Under Murillo's guidance as CTO, the organization intends to continue its investment in technology that enhances efficiency, provides in-depth visibility into student services and outcomes, bolsters data security, and responsibly leverages AI to support both educators and clinicians.
Commitment to Security and Responsible Innovation
Felipe Murillo’s journey at Presence began in 2023 when he joined as Vice President of Engineering. He was instrumental in modernizing the engineering department and reinforcing the company’s security and compliance measures, aligning them with standards such as SOC 2 Type 2, HIPAA, and FERPA. In his new role as CTO, he will advance the company’s mission to cultivate secure, responsible technology and promote ethical AI applications that ease administrative strains while preserving the autonomy of clinicians and educators regarding professional decisions.
Murillo brings over a decade of technological leadership experience from diverse sectors, including healthcare, education, and SaaS. Before joining Presence, he served as Vice President of Engineering at Xplor Technologies and held prominent roles at BetterCloud, NCR, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where he contributed to the development of FDA-regulated software for early autism diagnosis. He is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
About Presence
Presence stands out as a leading provider of teletherapy services and technology tailored for K–12 educational institutions. The company was founded with the intention of addressing the nationwide shortage of school clinicians by tearing down traditional barriers to service delivery through advanced teletherapy methods. Since its inception in 2009, Presence has engaged with schools across the country to assess and meet the special education and mental health requirements of students, armed with award-winning technology and comprehensive clinical support. Through its efforts, Presence is committed to helping schools, students, and clinicians thrive, regardless of their location.