brett schilke

Awecademy prepares young minds for a radically different future, for a world of accelerating change ushered in by exponential technologies and disruptive innovation.

TILE is the world's largest conversation series, a worldwide network of independent student-run chapters in 36 countries, hosting free, accessible conversations with fascinating people. TILE hopes to inspire the use of innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship as a force for good, and TILE chapters are encouraged to host conversations with individuals who reflect the pinnacle of ethical and thoughtful behavior.

Founded in 1986 as a direct service 501(c)3 international development agency, the Coalition worked for 27 years to revolutionize education, health care, global security, and civil society partnerships between the United States and Russia. Over the course of 10 years, I held nearly every role in the organization, from intern to board member to Executive Director, contributing to projects including rule of law training, social services development in women's rights and children's wellness, global education and arts, and chemical weapons disarmament. The Coalition facilitated the launch of a chemical weapons deconstruction facility for Russia's largest chemical weapons stockpile, built hospitals and clinics, launched magazines, and collaborated with agencies from the Kellogg Foundation to USAID and the US Army. At the end of my tenure, I led a three-year redevelopment and rebranding effort for the company, finally serving an additional three years as Co-founder and CEO following the relaunch.

Designed and delivered a middle school innovation curriculum and educator training for the 2015 UAE Innovation Design Challenge run by the UAE Ministry of Education's Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program. Included a month on the ground in the UAE working directly with public school students and educators.

Led initiatives for Learning Enterprises, a 501(c)3 nonprofit education organization, in rural Siberia. Supervised volunteer educators in schools throughout the region, and oversaw partnerships with local governmental entities.

The N Square Innovators Network is a convening of experts in technology, innovation, policy, practice, and media working to develop new approaches to reducing global nuclear threat.

This program of the United States Congress selects young professionals from Russia and Eastern Europe for immersive learning experiences in the United States. I planned and directed six programs for several delegations from Russia, Moldova, and Serbia, focused on entrepreneurship, education innovation, and social development.

Taught university seminars in community development and innovation, leading cohorts of students in designing and carrying out large-scale community impact projects. Supervised student research in cross-cultural fields, and provided applied linguistic training for students. Led development of global opportunities for Academy students and actively increased university-community involvement through visible projects, international partnerships, and events. These efforts were credited with a 50% increase in freshman application rates over three years.

I'm responsible for Singularity University's narrative and strategy for youth engagement and K-12 education, focused on creating highly scalable, widely accessible tools and resources. I regularly speak around the world on the future of learning and trends that will define the future for our next generation, and I lead a pioneering partnership with GEMS Education, the world's largest private education company, to prototype curriculum and frameworks that prepare students to be masters of their future.

I’m responsible for overall strategy and implementation of SU’s overarching mission - building a global community that leverages technology to solve the world’s greatest challenges. Working closely with our community of more than 170,000 people across 127 countries, I create and deliver foundational content on the application of technology to transform global issues, I build tools and resources to measure and analyze impact, I serve as a storyteller for our community, and I lead experimental partnerships on topics ranging from education to nuclear security.