From Idea to Infrastructure: Building the Future of Youth-Serving Models with Technology and Purpose

​How do we scale sustainably? Is it really a quality vs. quantity dilemma? And once the business model is defined, how do we implement it? These are the questions that keep nonprofit leaders up at night.

​High-touch, personalized support has long been the gold standard in college and career success programs- but in an era of shrinking funding and growing need, these models are nearly impossible to scale. At the same time, AI is reshaping the workforce and widening opportunity gaps for under-resourced students. The moment demands new thinking. In this session, we’ll explore how mission-driven organizations and educational institutions are responding by blending purpose-driven values with technology and hybrid business structures to build scalable, sustainable models that meet students where they are. From nonprofit- or college-led platforms to tech-enabled hybrids, we’ll examine real-world approaches, hard-won lessons, and emerging pathways to long-term impact.

​Our panelists bring a wide range of expertise in building coalitions, managing mergers and acquisitions, and funding nonprofit and for-profit impact-focused ventures:

• ​Shawna Young, CEO of Camelback Ventures

• ​Scott Frauenheim, CEO of LEAP Innovation and CEO of Distinctive Schools

• ​Amu Fowler, Managing Partner of Startups Ignite

• ​Moderated by Brooke McKean, President and Co-CEO of REACH Pathways

​Following a 30-minute panel, participants will join breakout discussions focused on:

• ​Building tech products within nonprofit constraints featuring Career Village, OneGoal, Uprooted Academy, and Chicago Scholars.

• ​Structuring hybrid models at the nonprofit/for-profit intersection featuring LEAP Innovations, The Academy Group, and REACH Pathways.