Founder & CEO

From an early age, I was captivated by the transformative power of technology and its promise to bridge gaps and create opportunities for those in need. My childhood was filled with tinkering with gadgets, exploring new software, and attending technology camps. Alongside this passion, I was driven by a desire to help people improve their lives, leading me to earn a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from The Ohio State University in 2013. During this time, I played an active role in the community, developing a program for The State of Ohio’s Development Services Agency to teach inmates how to start their own businesses and become entrepreneurs. The program aimed to reduce recidivism by empowering ex-offenders to make a living legally. I also created a statewide school directory for the Central Ohio Children’s Defense Fund. These experiences allowed me to blend my love for technology with my commitment to social betterment.

After graduating, my path to making a difference led me through the world of finance. For over 15 years, I grew into a Financial Professional, earning my FINRA Series 7 and FINRA Series 66 licenses in 2017. These credentials, along with other courses, enabled me to excel in assisting clients with investments from public markets to private equity. This journey not only expanded my expertise but also fueled my passion for empowering others with financial literacy. As a finance professional and team leader at JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley, I discovered a profound love for training and development. I found immense joy in demystifying complex investment strategies for my family and friends, answering their questions, and equipping them with the tools to secure their financial futures.

Through training and mentorship of colleagues, family, and friends, I realized my true calling: to teach more people by integrating my interests in technology, finance, and education while making a social impact. My work as a Strategic Initiatives Associate at Pactolus Private Wealth Management, combined with the skills from my Duke MBA, enabled me to develop the roadmap for creating my organization.

During my journey, I had the pleasure of meeting many compassionate and highly skilled individuals who were experts in their fields and always looking for ways to give back to their communities. Despite their expertise, they often lacked the time and knowledge to best use their talents. This led them to make donations to organizations without feeling the impactful connection they desired. Listening to their situations and understanding my passions, I realized there was a better way to harness their knowledge and enthusiasm.

This vision crystallized into the NextGen Knowledge Network, a platform born from the desire to share the wealth of knowledge within my extensive network with individuals who needed to learn new skills to enhance their lives, both personally and professionally.

I approached Karla Poole, the Executive Director of the Central Ohio Parent Leadership Training Institute (COPLTI), with a bold idea. As an alumna of COPLTI, I knew firsthand the transformative impact of their 20-week curriculum, which focuses on civics, policy, and advocacy to improve outcomes for all children. I saw a perfect alignment between their mission and my goal of connecting experts with communities, particularly to benefit children in underserved areas. I pitched the idea of using their curriculum and updating the activities to be computer-based, helping to enhance not only literacy but also digital capacity.

With Karla’s enthusiastic support, we began laying the groundwork for this innovative approach. We recognized that integrating technology into the curriculum would not only modernize the learning experience but also equip students with essential digital skills for the future. This partnership allowed us to leverage COPLTI’s proven framework while infusing it with new tools and techniques to make learning more engaging and effective.

Securing the first financial backing from United Way was a pivotal moment that legitimized my mission and provided the necessary resources to begin my impactful work. This support allowed me to develop a pilot online program that mirrored the Children’s Leadership Training Institute’s curriculum, integrating Microsoft Word and PowerPoint training. During this period, I also completed the Microsoft Educator Training Academy, becoming a Microsoft Certified Educator.

Building on COPLTI’s foundational 20-week curriculum, I launched the Rising Stars Literacy Leadership Program, a digital literacy course for 3rd graders. Partnering with Eastgate Elementary School, we identified students who would excel in this program, marking the creation of my first course. The success of this initiative spurred me to expand NextGen’s offerings to COPLTI’s Parent Leaders, with courses on Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. These courses were initially offered to COPLTI alumni, who also received exclusive one-on-one training sessions to enhance and complement their learning journey.

A significant turning point came when I decided to move to Bangkok, taking a break from my Global Executive MBA program at Duke University. This bold step allowed me to fully dedicate my energy to growing NextGen Knowledge Network. I now focus on outreach to potential instructors, course and curriculum development, and marketing.

Today, my goal is to transform NextGen Knowledge Network into an international organization, providing educational opportunities across the globe. As my vision continues to evolve, I look forward to forging new collaborations and creating impactful learning opportunities for all. Each step of this journey has reinforced my belief in the power of technology and community expertise to bridge educational gaps and transform lives.