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.
81% of Embarc graduates enroll in Postsecondary Success options including college and Progressive Pathways.
Staff
Imran Khan
Senior Advisor, Co-Founder & Former CEO
January Miller
Director of Special Projects & Co-Founder
Amanda Long
Interim CEO
Rob Pick
Chief Financial Officer
Amy Besida
Chief Program Officer
David Slade
Chief Development Officer
Andrew Atkinson Bernd
Data Manager
Andrew Zallar
Director of Finance
Anna Ryan
Experiential Coach
Ariel Filion
Experiential Coach
Chastinee McNeil
Postsecondary Successs Coach
Dezaray Vazquez
Alumni Relations Coordinator
Ellen Lau
Director of Experience Design and Partner Relationships
Frank Miller
Head of Postsecondary Success
Gabe Lopez
Program Manager
Jitesh Jaggi
Experiential Coach
Joseph Schupbach
Head of Coaching
Laura Kroncke
Experiential Coach
Nathan Biggs
Director of Development Operations & Prospect Research
Ruby Smith
Donor Relations Manager
Ruby Thompson
Program Manager
Samantha Brenner
Senior Postsecondary Success Coach- Curriculum & Instruction
Sandra Ortiz-Ortega
Head of Program Management
Sarah Dufour
Shifa Ahmed
Program Manager
TaQuilla Caradine
HR Generalist
Thomas Goodwin
Director of Data and Analytics
Tye Moores
Annual Fund & Marketing Manager
Executive Board of Directors
Lynn Jerath
Board Chair
President & Founder,
Citrine Investment Group
David Allocco
Private Equity Operations, Ares Management Corporation
Shayne Evans
Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Academy Group
Alex Jackson
Tellef Lundevall
CEO and Founder, Accelerated Digital Media
Nelly Pitocco
VP, Sales Engineering
Comcast Business
Lindsey Mossman Shaw
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
Lisa Wheeler
Managing Director & Global Head of GFCC for Corporate & Investment Bank and Commercial Bank, JP Morgan
Danny Wirtz
Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Blackhawks
Eleanor Perrone-Toriski, Co-Chair
Civic Consulting Alliance
Nick Thompson, Co-Chair
Ferrara
Emily Dominski
GEM Realty Capital
Mu Ergin
ZS Associates
Patrick Fanshaw
Hinge Health
Joshua Johnson
IMC Trading
Emma Mckee
Stitchgawd LLC
Nils Niemeyer
DMG MORI Additive Solutions
Christina Noel
Christina Noel Photography
Desmond Owusu
Betty Shabazz International Charter Schools
Leah Richmond
Summit Global Health
Sarah Spain
ESPN/iHeartRadio
AJ Washington
Mercer Consulting
Baomy Wehrle
Warner Bros. Discovery
Derrick Westbrook
Juice Chicago & Derrick C. Westbrook LLC
Angelica Zamudio
Monterrey Security and Red Circle Technology Recruiting
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 17 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
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
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