About Embarc
We’re transforming education through experiential learning.
Driving Purpose
Embarc breaks down barriers in our education system to create a more just, equitable, and anti-racist society. We do this by providing schools, communities, and young people with all the tools they need to transform how schools integrate social-emotional development and experiential learning.
We imagine a world where our school system is a driver of racial equity and justice. In Chicago alone, 350,000 public school students will actively engage with business, culture and community assets, in and beyond their neighborhoods. Schools will help young people step into their own power and become our next generation of justice leaders. Teachers will be equipped with the skills and tools they need to ensure that all young people live choice-filled, economically stable, relationship rich, and joyous lives.
“Embarc is the best example we’ve seen in the country of developmental experiences that research shows are so profoundly important for young people’s growth and learning.”
Past, Present, + Future
Embarc was founded by two teachers at Harper High School in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. To the outside world, Harper and Englewood have become symbols for Chicago’s segregation, poverty, and violence. But to the co-founders of Embarc, as well as countless public school teachers across the city, it’s clear the young people who live and learn there are not symbols but individuals with unique sets of dreams and equally unique challenges.
We started as an idea focused on bringing together schools, communities, cultural institutions, and the private sector to holistically dissolve the borders in our city and our minds. To dismantle the systemic inequities in our education system, we’re working toward a future where real-world, experience-based learning is accessible to as many students, teachers, families, and communities as possible.
90% of Embarc graduates enroll in Postsecondary Success options including college and Progressive Pathways.
Staff
Imran Khan
CEO & Co-Founder
January Miller
Director of Special Projects & Co-Founder
Amanda Long
Chief Programming Officer
Stephanie Truax
Chief Development Officer
Rob Pick
Chief Financial Officer
Victoria Shire
Chief Operating Officer
Alegra Gutierrez
Program Manager
Alma Yarilis Rodríguez
Director of People
Amy Besida
Director of Learning
Andrew Atkinson Bernd
Data Specialist
Brittany Ward
Development Assistant
Chastinee McNeil
Postsecondary Successs Coach
Dezaray Vazquez
Alumni Relations Lead & Supplies Manager
Ellen Lau
Director of Experience Design and Partner Relationships
Frank Miller
Lead Postsecondary Success Coach
Holland Spencer
Donor Communications Manager
Joseph Schupbach
Experiential Coach
Larissa Trociuk
Director of Philanthropy
Lativia Samone
Laura Kronke
Experiential Coach
Mari Hernandez
Experiential Coach
Mary Emmanuel
Director of Finance
Natalie Roman
Nathan Biggs
Director of Development Operations
Rachael Gruen
Head of Experiential Coaching
Samantha Brenner
Postsecondary Success Coach
Sandra Ortiz-Ortega
Program Manager
Sarah Dufour
Sarah Heemstra
Development Manager
Shifa Ahmed
Program Manager
Thomas Goodwin
Director of Data & Analytics
Tyesha Moores
Marketing and Communications Manager
Executive Board of Directors
Lynn Jerath
Board Chair
President & Founder,
Citrine Investment Group
David Allocco
Private Equity Operations, Ares Management Corporation
Alan Anderson
Managing Director, OneTen
Marlene V. Coulis
Marketing Strategy Consultant
Shayne Evans
Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Academy Group
Tellef Lundevall
CEO and Founder, Accelerated Digital Media
Nelly Pitocco
Sales, Technology, and Operations Executive
Larry Sablosky
Co-founder, Finish Line Inc.
Lindsey Mossman Shaw
Silicon Valley Bank
Julia Stasch
Immediate Past President, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Lonnie Thomas
Managing Partner, Throop Street Capital
Kelly Tousi
Principal Emeritus, ZS Associates
Danny Wirtz
Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Blackhawks
Lillian Merritt, Chair
MSL
Kevin Morrow, Vice Chair
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Lauren Boegen
Design Museum of Chicago / University of Chicago
Ashley Corotis, JD
Emily Dominski
GEM Realty Capital
David Dorfman
Industrial Opportunity Partners
Sarah Haque
SZH Consulting
Brigit Murff
Northern Trust
Christina Noel
Christina Noel Photography
Eleanor Perrone-Toriski
Civic Consulting Alliance
Leah Richmond
Weber Shandwick
Sarah Spain
ESPN
Nicholas Thompson
McKinsey & Company
Baomy Wehrle
WarnerMedia
Derrick Westbrook
Juice Chicago & Derrick C. Westbrook LLC
Our Aux Board is open for new members! See more info and apply today.
Our Schools
What started at Harper High as a classroom program has now spread throughout Chicago into 21 schools and will engage more than 4,000 students during the current school year. Our work is teacher-driven, led by educators dedicated to narrowing Chicago’s opportunity gap.
Want to get your school involved? Contact us.
Bogan Computer Technical High School
3939 W 79th St, Chicago IL, 60652
Bowen High School
2710 E 89th St, Chicago IL, 60617
Chicago Academy High School
3400 N Austin Ave, Chicago IL, 60634
Chicago Tech Academy
1301 W 14th St, Chicago IL, 60608
Roberto Clemente Community Academy
1147 N Western Ave, Chicago IL, 60622
Collins Academy High School
1313 S Sacramento Dr, Chicago IL, 60623
Englewood STEM High School
6835 S Normal Blvd, Chicago IL, 60621
Fenger Academy High School
11220 S Wallace Ave, Chicago IL, 60628
Percy L. Julian High School
10330 S Elizabeth St, Chicago IL, 60643
Manley Career Academy High School
2935 W Polk St, Chicago IL, 60612
Michele Clark Magnet Academy High School
5101 W Harrison St, Chicago IL, 60644
Orr Academy High School
730 N. Pulaski Rd, Chicago IL, 60624
Phillips Academy High School
244 E Pershing Rd, Chicago IL, 60653
Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy
7651 S Homan Ave, Chicago IL, 60652
Simeon Career Academy
8147 South Vincennes Ave, Chicago IL, 60620
Simpson Academy for Young Women
3939 W 79th St, Chicago IL, 60652
Sullivan High School
6631 N Bosworth Ave, Chicago IL, 60626
Tilden High School
4747 S Union Ave, Chicago IL, 60609
Uplift Community STEAM High School
900 W Wilson Ave, Chicago IL, 60640
Westinghouse College Prep High School
3223 W Franklin Blvd, Chicago IL, 60624