About Embarc

We’re transforming education through experiential learning.
Embarc cross icon

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.

Who we are

“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.”

Camille Farrington

University of Chicago Consortium on School Research

What we do

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.

Embarc cross icon

90% of Embarc graduates enroll in Postsecondary Success options including college and Progressive Pathways.

Staff

Imran Khan

Imran Khan

CEO & Co-Founder

January Miller

January Miller

Director of Special Projects & Co-Founder

Amanda Long

Amanda Long

Chief Programming Officer

Stephanie Truax

Stephanie Truax

Rob Pick

Rob Pick

Chief Financial Officer

Victoria Shire

Victoria Shire

Chief Operating Officer

Alegra Gutierrez

Alegra Gutierrez

Program Manager

Amy Besida

Amy Besida

Director of Learning

Andrew Atkinson Bernd

Andrew Atkinson Bernd

Data Specialist

Brittany Ward

Brittany Ward

Development Assistant

Chastinee McNeil

Chastinee McNeil

Dezaray Vazquez

Dezaray Vazquez

Alumni Relations Lead & Supplies Manager

Ellen Lau

Ellen Lau

Director of Experience Design and Partner Relationships

Frank Miller

Frank Miller

Lead Postsecondary Success Coach

Holland Spencer

Holland Spencer

Joseph Schupbach

Joseph Schupbach

Experiential Coach

Larissa Trociuk

Larissa Trociuk

Director of Philanthropy

Lativia Samone

Lativia Samone

Laura Kronke

Laura Kronke

Experiential Coach

Mari Hernandez

Mari Hernandez

Experiential Coach

Mary Emmanuel

Mary Emmanuel

Director of Finance

Natalie Roman

Natalie Roman

Nathan Biggs

Nathan Biggs

Director of Development Operations

Rachael Gruen

Rachael Gruen

Head of Experiential Coaching

Samantha Brenner

Samantha Brenner

Postsecondary Success Coach

Sandra Ortiz-Ortega

Sandra Ortiz-Ortega

Program Manager

Sarah Dufour

Sarah Dufour

Sarah Heemstra

Sarah Heemstra

Development Manager

Shifa Ahmed

Shifa Ahmed

Program Manager

Thomas Goodwin

Thomas Goodwin

Director of Data & Analytics

Tyesha Moores

Tyesha Moores

Marketing and Communications Manager

Executive Board of Directors

Lynn Jerath

Lynn Jerath

Board Chair
President & Founder,
Citrine Investment Group

David Allocco

David Allocco

Private Equity Operations, Ares Management Corporation

Alan Anderson

Alan Anderson

Managing Director, OneTen

Marlene V. Coulis

Marlene V. Coulis

Marketing Strategy Consultant

Shayne Evans

Shayne Evans

Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Academy Group

Alex Jackson

Alex Jackson

Assistant Director of McNair Scholars Program, DePaul University
Tellef Lundevall

Tellef Lundevall

CEO and Founder, Accelerated Digital Media

Nelly Pitocco

Nelly Pitocco

VP, Sales Engineering
Comcast Business

Larry Sablosky

Larry Sablosky

Co-founder, Finish Line Inc.

Lindsey Mossman Shaw

Lindsey Mossman Shaw

Head of FLOD BSA/AML and Sanctions Programs
Silicon Valley Bank
Julia Stasch

Julia Stasch

Immediate Past President, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Lonnie Thomas

Lonnie Thomas

Managing Partner, Throop Street Capital

Kelly Tousi

Kelly Tousi

Principal Emeritus, ZS Associates

Danny Wirtz

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

Joshua Johnson
IMC Trading

Brigit Murff
Northern Trust

Nils Niemeyer
DMG MORI Additive Solutions

Christina Noel
Christina Noel Photography

Eleanor Perrone-Toriski
Civic Consulting Alliance

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 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

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

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

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