Maryland, United States, October 2025 — Zenith Systems Inc., a veteran-owned leader in HR development and management solutions, has announced the appointment of Dr. Ciera C. McNeal as its new Chief of Academic Talent. In this national leadership role, Dr. McNeal will oversee consulting and district partnerships focused on addressing high-need educator recruitment and retention strategies across the United States.
With more than 15 years of experience in human resources, education, and leadership development, Dr. McNeal brings a unique blend of strategic vision and operational expertise to the education talent landscape. At Zenith, she will spearhead initiatives under the Future Teaching Initiative (FTI), collaborating with school districts to build long-term educator pipelines and ensure sustainable staffing solutions in Math, Science, Special Education, and Career and Technical Education.
Before joining Zenith Systems Inc., Dr. McNeal served as Chief Talent Officer at Carmen Schools of Science and Technology, where she led strategic HR and educator development initiatives aimed at advancing academic excellence and equity. Her efforts strengthened the organization’s talent acquisition and retention frameworks while enhancing leadership coaching and workforce engagement.
Earlier, she was the Human Resources Director of Talent and Culture at Josselyn, where she drove HR transformation projects, focused on cultural alignment, performance development, and employee engagement. She also spent over a decade as Vice President of Human Resources at Eyes On U Surveillance Systems, leading organizational growth, policy design, and leadership development.
In her previous role as Manager of Recruitment and Retention at North Chicago District 187, Dr. McNeal built innovative educator recruitment programs, leading to significant improvements in staffing levels across critical instructional areas. She currently continues her commitment to education as a School Board Member at Zion-Benton Township High School and as a Senior HR Consultant, advising on workforce development and DEI strategies for educational institutions.
About Zenith Systems Inc.
Zenith Systems Inc. is a Veteran-Owned and Operated HR development and management firm committed to helping organizations achieve excellence through people. The company provides staffing, HR consulting, and employee training solutions tailored to client needs across industries, with a focus on delivering the right talent, skill development, and organizational performance. Guided by its motto, “The Pinnacle of Peak Performance,” Zenith ensures every client receives customized, results-oriented HR solutions that enhance business and workforce capability.
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