The Future Project: Andrew Mangino

About The Company:

The Future Project is a national experiment in education reinvention out to turn ordinary high schools into Future Schools, where students become passionate, innovative, and entrepreneurial — and turn their dreams into action, left and right. TFP puts a full-time “Dream Director” — a world-class changemaker — into the school and charges him or her with injecting new life and energy into the student body. Future Coaches from the community join the effort, and work with students to turn their passions into projects. The result is a movement in the school that changes almost everything at the cost of almost nothing.

About Andrew Mangino:

Like all of us, Andrew grew up with dreams – to travel in time to meet Walt Disney, to play shortstop for the Yankees, to run a marathon on every continent, to perform as the Genie in Aladdin on Ice, to sing in the Man of La Mancha.

But one toddler-era dream has stood the test of time: to build a movement that empowers people to live their passions and fulfill their dreams. Along the way, that vision met Andrew’s passion for learning, teams, and social entrepreneurship. And after serving as Editor in Chief of the Yale Daily News, a speechwriter for Vice President Biden and Attorney General Holder, and a senior entrepreneur at Ashoka, Andrew co-founded The Future Project. In so doing, he found that millions of others shared the vision for a new era of inspiration.

When not CEO-ing and co-founding, Andrew can be found daydreaming about Ben Franklin and listening to every theme song John Williams has ever composed.

Q&A With Andrew

Why are you an entrepreneur?

When I was in high school, I volunteered as the managing editor of our school paper. In my senior year, I sued the school district for refusing to let us publish an issue about sex, and won. That was a turning point for me, as it showed me that systems can be broken. Two years ago, I co-founded The Future Project to further disrupt the education system. TFP has since grown into a 21-person organization in three states.

What can a fellow learn from you?

My greatest inspiration comes from the founding fathers and particularly Ben Franklin. I have a leadership style that is eccentric, bold, human, and focused on making the impossible possible.

What Will Your Fellow Be Exposed To?

Developing leadership programs to unleash & empower teenagers, fundraising & business development, social media strategy and execution, event planning and execution, business strategy.

What do you expect out of a fellow?

We’re looking for a Fellow who is passionate about helping high schools evolve into the 21st century. We’re also looking for a Fellow who is the right cultural fit for our team: ambitious, wildly hopeful, intense, hard-working, fun-loving and sincere.

What makes your startup unique?

Our model for transforming high schools is cheap, scalable and boldly human. We have an incredible company culture that permeates through everything we do. And we have building momentum, with our Dream Director being called, “the biggest innovation in education since Teach for America.” In fact, our Co-Founder will be speaking with Wendy Kopp on an education panel in April.

Any Links To/ About Your Company?

Website: www.thefutureproject.org
More information on the Dream Director: www.dream.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tfpinspire
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DreamDirectors
Video 1: vimeo.com/42106408
Video 2: vimeo.com/54900117