Meet Uncharted Learning

At Uncharted Learning, Christy balances a plethora of responsibilities with ease and unshakeable composure.  She stands at the helm as team leader, priority setter, obstacle remover and chief problem solver. Having been at Uncharted Learning since its inception, she has acquired a clear and focused vision behind the company’s mission to change the face of entrepreneurial education. It is this foresight, coupled with Christy’s strong strategic mind, that energizes our organization and community of educators.

Christy started out as a coach and subject matter expert for our first INCubatoredu program at Barrington (IL) High School.  Seeing students get passionate about creating their own business inspired her to join Uncharted Learning’s purpose of bringing real entrepreneurship experiences to classrooms across the country.  It is her knack for elevating the conversation and connecting the dots that has become the driving force behind Uncharted Learning’s success.

Looking Back

As a competitive swimmer in college, Christy used her countless hours in the pool to think and reflect. She is definitely a big thinker by nature, which served her well in her brand management days at Kraft and Nestle, and makes her particularly valuable to our organization today.

Every Day

Christy prides herself on being an insatiable learner and optimist. While others stay focused on if something can get done, she figures out how it can get done, and then does it. This is just one reason why she is such a great leader and motivator.

Advice for Budding Entrepreneuers

“There is power in networking. You never know who you will meet or how you can help each other."

Margarita helped make us what we are today, working to establish our first INCubatoredu course at Barrington (IL) High School in 2013. Now she focuses on promoting Uncharted Learning and helping educators understand that a rigorous, hands-on, real-world program actually works to turn on the learning light switch.

She believes the health of our future depends on young people and wants to give them powerful skills they can use to navigate life's uncertainties. Her goal and current role is to bring together students, educators and business professionals to create a community that works and learns together.

Looking Back

After building a career in advertising as VP/Account Director at Leo Burnett, Margarita shifted focus toward her passion for creating meaningful learning environments, serving as both an educational foundation trustee and youth mental health services trustee. She has also shown her commitment for learning outside of work, getting up at 5:30 a.m. to practice Tae Kwon Do.

Challenge Met

Margarita knows first-hand the importance of having skills and determination to overcome obstacles. After failing in front of a large audience the first time she tried, she eventually broke a cement brick to earn her second-degree black belt.

What She'd Tell Her Younger Self

“Forget perfect and keep learning."

Ashley has been re-imagining education since she was a child. She is always coming up with new ways to inject creativity into even the most cutting-edge curriculum. At Uncharted Learning, Ashley leads the charge to design and develop innovative, high-impact learning experiences for aspiring entrepreneurs.

As a former college administrator and instructor, Ashley brings a passion for empowering learners to go beyond the conventional classroom experience and engage in the world around them. She has a service-first mentality from her days as a waitress, and uses her amateur improv skills to keep us all laughing.

Looking Back

Ashley led a $5M initiative at Dartmouth College to expand and enhance experiential learning. She also launched a four-year learning portfolio program at Loyola University Chicago’s Center for Experiential Learning.

Looking Ahead

Ashley is currently pursuing a PhD in Leadership in Change from Antioch University, which she says is forcing her to "walk the talk" of progressive education.

Her Advice for Budding Entrepreneuers

“Shoot for the impossible, then scale back to reality."

Stacy describes herself as a super nerd, but she's more like a supernova — exceedingly bright and full of energy. She is both an education and tech pioneer who works to empower teachers to become expert learners. Her goal is to give students the opportunity to do tangible things in the real world and to encourage teachers to keep up with their learning and the changes around them.

After spending 12 years in the Chicago Public School and charter school systems, Stacy developed a love of learning with others and leading others to try new things. She believes that growing the confidence and competence of educators directly impacts their students' ability to achieve amazing things.

Lives Touched

At Uncharted Learning, Stacy and her team have influenced and impacted the work of more than 500 teachers and 14,000 students. Those numbers are even higher when you consider her past work coaching teachers through EdConnective, and the New Teacher Center.

On the Side

For the past ten years, Stacy and her husband have been building their own company, which has led her to learn all about app development, podcasting, e-commerce, internet radio and the future of the music industry. She has also been busy building a brand for her cat.

Advice for Budding Entrepreneurs

“We learn by making mistakes and refining our approach or knowledge. Learn to embrace failure."

Michelle is a learner and innovator: by degree and obsession. Her brain is always going whether it be learning something new or asking questions.  She’s obsessed with process improvements and efficiency which is great to have around when you actually want them; however, friends and family that travel with Michelle aren’t thrilled with her over-analysis of airport security lines. 

As an educator herself, she rocks it supporting members of our programs empowering teachers as they begin their entrepreneurial journeys. As the point person between Uncharted Learning and educators, Michelle facilitates seamless two-way communication, enlightening us about what's going on in member classrooms and keeping teachers connected to the methods and materials to best support their students as they navigate the ever-changing entrepreneurship environment.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Michelle calls herself an accidental entrepreneur, but her spirit would say otherwise.  Growing up, her family owned an ice cream store (what could be better for a kid?) and she now owns a greeting card business. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is: always ask, “why not?” but don’t always ask it out loud.

Kristina is our point person building strong relationships with schools and communities. She easily earns educators' trust and knows how to make them feel empowered by their choice to work with us. She guides potential members and inspires them to embark on the exciting journey that MobileMakersEdu and INCubatoredu can take them on.

Kristina is well suited to carry our message out into the world. She is outgoing, intuitive and good natured. She also has experience as both an educator and an entrepreneur. At Uncharted Learning, Kristina feels she has found the perfect place to combine her love of business with her desire to inspire students and their teachers.

In the Past

While working as an educator in California, Kristina and her students spent a week with scientists from NASA and its Jet Propulsion Laboratory, integrating technology, education and science into a nature-based outdoor program in the mountains of San Bernardino.

On the Side

Kristina and her daughter are learning American Sign Language and recently adopted a deaf puppy named Fettucini, who they are able to communicate with and train via signing.

Her Advice to Her Younger Self

“You set your own limitations. No one else can determine your inner strength."

Mitch kicked off his career in education as a middle school science teacher, then made the leap to industry - working with major curriculum providers to support teachers nationwide.  He was impressed by the uniqueness of our programs and the value of bringing business leaders into the classroom while giving students tools to be successful in today's world. He also appreciated how we promote teachers as incredible community assets.

Working closely with educators and school leaders, Mitch excels at drawing out new details and ideas for maximizing the success of our programs at  their schools. His experience and classroom perspective help us better meet the needs and challenges of our members.

Out in the World

Beyond building member relationships, Mitch works diligently to craft our messaging and reinforce our positioning in the marketplace. He is a voice of reason and a champion of educators everywhere.

Around the Office

Mitch is our resident Cliff Clavin, always ready with an answer to our questions about everything from sports to nature to home repair.

Message to Students, Teachers & School Leaders

"Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome." —Arthur Ashe

Kelly has served as the woman behind the curtain to help Uncharted Learning function as a well oiled machine.  Her current focus is overseeing financials, contracts and CRM. Kelly knows how to get things done in a growing startup, while also maintaining her purpose to never let an opportunity pass without a laugh.

With a Master’s in Education and a “jack of all trades” attitude, Kelly left the field of School Psychology to head into the world of Business.  Drawn to Uncharted Learning because of its mission to help kids find their passion and launch them into the world, Kelly found the perfect fit, and we depend on her organization and process-oriented skill sets.

Looking Back

Once a mountain girl, Kelly worked as a white-water rafting guide, taking clients on multi-day trips down the rivers of the west while also showing them how to hone the skill of sleeping under the stars.  With no prior experience running rapids, Kelly spent 2 weeks in an intensive training course before taking the helm of a white water raft — another example of her I-can-do attitude.

On the Side

Kelly has an entrepreneurial, want-to-be farmer side to her that she indulges by raising chickens and making beeswax candles. Her next venture is to get beehives so she can begin to source her own beeswax.

What She'd Tell Her Younger Self

“Smooth seas never made a skilled sailor."

In a world that values loud voices and a lot of words and actions, Margot is a self-proclaimed "raging introvert" who demonstrates daily the power of contemplation and quiet creation. She relies on her perceptiveness to reach the right people with our message and impact more students. She is tireless in her efforts to foster more inquiries, launch awareness campaigns, and drive attendance to our events.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Years ago, co-founded mc2 marketing inc, a virtual boutique agency before virtual was even a thing. She oversaw digital marketing strategy and media services for a variety of clients, and proved one can be successfully in business with BFFs!

Advice for Budding Entrepreneurs

“Be authentic, and take time to stay grounded in who you are and what you have. The right path will flow from there.  Also, get outside."

When it comes to entrepreneurial ventures, Michael has been there, built that. With five successful businesses to his name, he knows what it takes to conceive, launch and grow a business. It's all about learning by doing, which is what brought Michael to ask: what if instead of teaching students about business, we gave them the opportunity to create, develop and launch a real business? And so, with the shared vision of Co-Founder Karl Fruecht, Uncharted Learning was born.

Michael is CEO of EmployBridge.  Prior to this he served as search fund investor and partner at The Operand Group, as well as a trusted advisor for multiple private-equity-backed enterprises.  Michael still finds the time and energy to work closely with us to keep our programs authentic and relevant. Michael is a true visionary and entrepreneurial thought leader. It's inspiring to have him at the helm.

Success Story

Michael co-founded SeatonCorp, which became a leading provider of recruiting and staffing for strategic users of contingent labor. The company operated in over 70 countries and employed over 44,000 people when it was sold to True Blue in 2014.

On the Side

Michael has a passion for sharing his ideas and experiences as an entrepreneur, so he serves on the boards of numerous businesses and extensively writes and speaks about entrepreneurship.

Advice for Budding Entrepreneuers

“Work hard and don't stop figuring out how to improve."

Karl mentors and guides our student teams, and actively recruits other business professionals to lend their own time and expertise to our programs. As a successful entrepreneur, Karl has the knowledge and experience to help others identify market opportunities and growth targets with strategy, technology and know-how.

Showing that inspiration can come at any time, Karl and Michael Miles proved that a few years back as they were reflecting on education at a graduation party and were inspired to start Uncharted Learning. Their goal was to shape the future of high school business education with an approach that engaged and empowered students in new ways. Mission (well on its way to being) accomplished.

Looking Back

I’ve been able to have an impact on some cool businesses and amazing projects, along side some good people.

Looking Forward

Let’s get students to create their own similar experiences.

 Wisdom for Budding Entrepreneurs

“There are only two types of people in the world: People afraid to try, and people not afraid to be wrong."