Direction and Drive for the Road Ahead
nXu is a non-profit initiative that empowers future-ready students through purpose development, durable skill development and wellbeing.
At nXu, we believe that every young person deserves to live a life of meaning, and we’re here to help them discover how.
When nXu–short for nexus–launched in 2017, we initially implemented a model focused on directly serving students. Over three years, we developed and delivered to multiple cohorts of students initial iterations of our curriculum.
Since 2021, we have partnered with schools and youth organizations to support educators to implement our curriculum. Our curricular repository of over 700 elementary, middle and high school lessons supports students to build upon the academic foundation they receive in school by offering learning experiences that help them master non-academic competencies. By partnering directly with schools and youth organizations, we aspire to transform the way these critical, non-cognitive skills are addressed and explored.
Our Vision
We aim to holistically prepare young people for success in the 21st-century world. At a systemic level, we are driving a paradigm shift in education—encouraging educators, funders, and parents to move beyond the singular focus on "college" and instead anchor each child’s education around their unique sense of purpose.
We pursue this vision through a three-pronged approach:
Direct Youth Programming: Gaining hands-on insights into effective purpose development by working directly with young people.
Resource Development: Codifying our learnings into sharable curriculum and tools to support purpose-driven education.
Educator Training & Partnerships: Expanding our impact by equipping educators and collaborating with schools and youth organizations nationwide.
Through this model, we are transforming how education prepares young people for a purposeful and career-ready life.
Meet the Team
We are a team of passionate individuals with deep experience in launching, leading, and teaching within high-functioning schools. From former classroom teachers and school leaders to curriculum writers and operations experts, we’re dedicated to supporting educators and students to meet the challenges of today to succeed tomorrow.
Briana anderson
Curriculum & Partnership Support Consultant
danielle Ferrentino
Program Facilitator
kimberly wright
Educational Programming Consultant
natalie slocum
Director of Operations
sequoia austin
Program Facilitator
Cat lum
Senior Director of Partnerships and Strategy
Harold Turner
Program Facilitator
kiss’shonna curtis
Educational Programming Consultant
rebecca perrone
Director of Special Projects
Yutaka tamura
Founder & Executive Director
Crystal lee
Educational Programming Consultant
jabali sawicki
Compass Director
kristin barnhart
Curriculum & Partnership Support Consultant
Sarah sutton
Educational Programming Consultant
The Leadership Team
nXu’s development is overseen by nationally recognized educators who have played key roles in leading, establishing, and growing nationally recognized schools and education organizations.
Norman Atkins
Co-Founder and President Emeritus, Relay Graduate School of Education;
Founder and Board Chair, Uncommon Schools
Dave Levin
Co-Founder, KIPP
Dominic Randolph
Former Head of School, Riverdale Country School
Aylon Samouha
Co-Founder, Transcend
Jeff Wetzler
Co-Founder, Transcend
Ready to reignite a love of learning in your students?