About Embarc
We’re transforming education through experiential learning.
![divider-5 Embarc cross icon](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/divider-5.png)
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.
![TSC_8844 Who we are](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/TSC_8844-1-scaled.jpg)
“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.”
![Embarc_Intonation_Nov16-45 What we do](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Embarc_Intonation_Nov16-45-1-scaled.jpg)
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.
![square-grey-2 Embarc cross icon](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/square-grey-2.png)
81% of Embarc graduates enroll in Postsecondary Success options including college and Progressive Pathways.
Staff
![Imran Khan](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/3.png)
Imran Khan
CEO & Co-Founder
![January Miller](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/january_miller.png)
January Miller
Director of Special Projects & Co-Founder
![Amanda Long](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amanda_long.png)
Amanda Long
Executive Director
![Rob Pick](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/rob_pick.png)
Rob Pick
Chief Financial Officer
![Amy Besida](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/12.png)
Amy Besida
Chief Programming Officer
![Andrew Atkinson Bernd](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/headshot-placeholder.png)
Andrew Atkinson Bernd
Data Specialist
![Andrew Zallar](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Staff-headshots-5.png)
Andrew Zallar
Director of Finance
![Anna Ryan](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/5.png)
Anna Ryan
Experiential Coach
![Ariel Filion](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/11.png)
Ariel Filion
Program Manager
![Brittany Ward](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/12.png)
Brittany Ward
Development Coordinator and Executive Assistant to CEO
![Chastinee McNeil](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/8.png)
Chastinee McNeil
Postsecondary Successs Coach
![Courtney Shupryt](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Staff-headshots-6.png)
Courtney Shupryt
Senior Director of Development
![Dezaray Vazquez](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2.png)
Dezaray Vazquez
Alumni Relations Coordinator
![Ellen Lau](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ellen_lau.png)
Ellen Lau
Director of Experience Design and Partner Relationships
![Frank Miller](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/16.png)
Frank Miller
Head of Postsecondary Success
![Gabe Lopez](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/9.png)
Gabe Lopez
Program Manager
![Jitesh Jaggi](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Staff-headshots.png)
Jitesh Jaggi
Experiential Coach
![Joseph Schupbach](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/10.png)
Joseph Schupbach
Head of Coaching
![Laura Kroncke](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/17.png)
Laura Kroncke
Experiential Coach
![Nathan Biggs](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Biggs.png)
Nathan Biggs
Director of Development Operations
![Ruby Thompson](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/16.png)
Ruby Thompson
Program Manager
![Samantha Brenner](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/13.png)
Samantha Brenner
Senior Postsecondary Success Coach- Curriculum & Instruction
![Sandra Ortiz-Ortega](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/sandra-ortiz-ortega.png)
Sandra Ortiz-Ortega
Head of Program Management
![Sarah Dufour](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/13.png)
Sarah Dufour
![Shifa Ahmed](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/6.png)
Shifa Ahmed
Program Manager
![Thomas Goodwin](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/thomas_goodwin.png)
Thomas Goodwin
Director of Data and Analytics
![Tye Moores](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/7.png)
Tye Moores
Marketing and Communications Manager
Executive Board of Directors
![Lynn Jerath](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Board-headshots-FY22-3.png)
Lynn Jerath
Board Chair
President & Founder,
Citrine Investment Group
![David Allocco](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Allocco.png)
David Allocco
Private Equity Operations, Ares Management Corporation
![Shayne Evans](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Evans-headshot.png)
Shayne Evans
Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Academy Group
![Alex Jackson](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Untitled-design-5-1.png)
Alex Jackson
![Tellef Lundevall](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/tellef_lundevall.png)
Tellef Lundevall
CEO and Founder, Accelerated Digital Media
![Nelly Pitocco](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/nelly_pitocco.png)
Nelly Pitocco
VP, Sales Engineering
Comcast Business
![Lindsey Mossman Shaw](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/lindsey_shaw.png)
Lindsey Mossman Shaw
Silicon Valley Bank
![Julia Stasch](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Stasch-headshot.png)
Julia Stasch
Immediate Past President, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
![Lonnie Thomas](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Thomas-headshot.png)
Lonnie Thomas
Managing Partner, Throop Street Capital
![Kelly Tousi](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Tousi-headshot.png)
Kelly Tousi
Principal Emeritus, ZS Associates
![Lisa Wheeler](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Board-headshots-FY22-4.png)
Lisa Wheeler
Managing Director & Global Head of GFCC for Corporate & Investment Bank and Commercial Bank, JP Morgan
![Danny Wirtz](https://embarcchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Wirtz-1.png)
Danny Wirtz
Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Blackhawks
Eleanor Perrone-Toriski, Co-Chair
Civic Consulting Alliance
Kevin Morrow, Co-Chair
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Lauren Boegen
Design Museum of Chicago / University of Chicago
Emily Dominski
GEM Realty Capital
Patrick Fanshaw
Hinge Health
Joshua Johnson
IMC Trading
Emma McKee
Brigit Murff
Northern Trust
Nils Niemeyer
DMG MORI Additive Solutions
Christina Noel
Christina Noel Photography
Desmond Owusu
Betty Shabazz International Charter Schools
Leah Richmond
Weber Shandwick
Sarah Spain
ESPN
Nicholas Thompson
McKinsey & Company
AJ Washington
Mercer Consulting
Baomy Wehrle
WarnerMedia
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