Mike Feinberg + Dave Levin

Mike Feinberg is a transformative education leader who, as Co-Founder of the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP), has revolutionized public education for underserved children across America. Together with Co-Founder David Levin, Feinberg built KIPP into a network of over 200 high-performing, tuition-free college-preparatory public schools serving more than 100,000 students in 20 states and the District of Columbia. KIPP's groundbreaking model—which accepts students regardless of prior academic record or socio-economic background—focuses on hiring outstanding educators, extending school hours, creating a culture of achievement, and building strong partnerships among parents, students, and teachers. The results are extraordinary: more than 90 percent of KIPP middle school students have graduated high school, 81 percent have gone on to college, and their college completion rate is 500 percent greater than the national average, despite 84 percent of students coming from low-income families and 95 percent being African American or Latino.

Feinberg's impact extends beyond KIPP through his current role as President and Co-Founder of the Texas School Venture Fund and Career For All, organizations dedicated to expanding quality educational options in underserved communities. He has launched numerous institutions including WorkTexas adult trade school, neighborhood schools, and innovative programs within the juvenile justice system. His visionary work has earned him exceptional recognition including the Presidential Citizen's Medal, the Manhattan Institute's William E. Simon Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Social Entrepreneurship, selection as an Ashoka Fellow in 2004, and honorary doctorates from Yale and Duke Universities. Feinberg holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's of Education from National-Louis University. His work has been profiled in Jay Matthews' bestseller Work Hard. Be Nice and featured on 60 Minutes, Oprah, and in major national publications. He continues to inspire KIPP-model schools internationally in Chile, India, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, and South Africa.

David Levin is a visionary education reformer who, as Co-Founder of the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP), has transformed public education for tens of thousands of underserved children across America. After graduating from Yale University and teaching fifth grade in Houston through Teach For America, Levin co-founded KIPP in 1994 with Mike Feinberg and established KIPP Academy in the South Bronx in 1995. Together, they built KIPP into a network of 200 high-performing, tuition-free college-preparatory public schools serving 80,000 students in 20 states and the District of Columbia. KIPP's groundbreaking model accepts students regardless of prior academic record or socio-economic background and achieves extraordinary results: more than 90 percent of KIPP middle school students have graduated high school, 81 percent have gone on to college, and their college completion rate is 500 percent greater than the national average—despite 84 percent coming from low-income families and 95 percent being African American or Latino.

After serving as Superintendent of KIPP NYC until 2012, Levin now leads the KIPP Teaching and Learning Labs team at the KIPP Foundation, focusing on instructional innovation, leadership development, and teacher training. His transformative work has earned exceptional recognition including the Presidential Citizen's Medal, the Manhattan Institute's William E. Simon Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Social Entrepreneurship, selection as an Ashoka Fellow in 2004, and the Robin Hood Foundation's John F. Kennedy, Jr. Hero Award. Levin and Feinberg's achievements have been profiled in Jay Matthews' bestseller Work Hard, Be Nice and featured on 60 Minutes, Oprah, and in major national publications. Beyond KIPP, Levin has co-founded three additional organizations—Relay Graduate School of Education, the Character Lab, and Zearn—and has helped inspire KIPP-model schools internationally in Chile, India, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, and South Africa.