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URL: https://emboldeneducation.org/about

⇱ About

About

Embolden Education was built from a deep belief that entrepreneurship begins with identity — the heart behind the work.

Who is an Entrepreneurial Leader?

At Embolden Education, we define an entrepreneurial leader as someone who empowers others to act— to solve problems, navigate uncertainty, embrace ambiguity, and take meaningful risks with confidence.

ENTREPRENEURIAL leadership begins with understanding what drives people at their core: their identities, strengths, values, and motivations.

That is why ebn EDU begins with identity. because when founders are grounded in who they are, they make clearer decisions, lead with greater resilience, and build ventures that are more aligned, adaptive, and enduring.


Our Philosophy

The Story Behind Embolden Education

Embolden Education was built by members of the original founding TEAM behind the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at The University of Texas at Austin — builders, creatives, and educators who believe deeply in founder-first leadership.

When the landscape shifted, our commitment didn’t. We carried the heart of our work at ks weli forward and refined it into something even more intentional: Embolden Education.

Our Why

MEET THE TEAM

After years of shaping entrepreneurial programs together, we found our way back to a shared mission — helping emerging founders step into clarity, confidence, and meaningful impact.

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Catherine Scoggins

Chief Experience Officer

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Catherine Scoggins

Top 5 CliftonStrengths

Chief Experience Officer

futuristic, achiever, individualizatioN, strategic, relator

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Catherine designs the moments people remember. From large-scale events to transformational learning experiences, she brings a deep understanding of how intentional environments help people connect, grow, and feel empowered to take action.

With a background spanning experiential events, nonprofits, and higher education, she specializes in turning strategy into lived experience — always with community at the center.

She’s also a proud mom who’s building a career grounded in purpose, presence, and impact.

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Julie Nguyen

Chief operations Officer

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Julie Nguyen

Top 5 CliftonStrengths

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Enneagram

Chief operations Officer

developer, empathy, Positivity, communication, activator

Julie is the heart and engine behind Embolden — the person making sure everything runs smoothly while making everyone feel seen and supported along the way. With strengths rooted in empathy, communication, and activation, she turns complex ideas into clear systems that help people flourish.

She’s a founder herself and a master of operational design, translating vision into aligned action for both teams and founders.

Outside of work, she’s a creative explorer, jiu-jitsu enthusiast, and devoted cat mom.

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Lesley robinson, PHD

Founder
Chief Education Officer

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Top 5 CliftonStrengths

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ACHIEVER, SIGNIFICANCE, FOCUS, LEARNER, activator

Lesley robinson, PHD

Founder + Chief Education Officer

Dr. Lesley Robinson is an entrepreneurial leader, educator, and researcher who helps turn big ideas into real-world action — and equips others to do the same.

Her work sits at the intersection of entrepreneurial leadership, identity, and access — exploring how founders lead, make decisions, and persist when they understand their values, strengths, and motivations.

With more than two decades of experience in higher education and entrepreneurship ecosystem building, Lesley is known for bridging research and practice to design learning experiences that truly change how people lead and leave a legacy.

advisory circle

Behind every bold initiative is a bold circle of champions.

Our Advisory Circle includes educators, investors, founders, and ecosystem builders who believe deeply in founder-first leadership. They offer perspective, open doors, and strengthen the communities we’re building.

ashley raymond

co-founder + CEo
safely

bryn carter

co-founder + CEo
What She Said Inc

Caroline Crawford

founder
caroline crawford consulting

Chris wright, PhD

AVP, innovation & Entrepreneurship
university of Tulsa

Cindy Y. Lo

CEO RED velvet +
CEO Strong events

Dana Such

founder
squeezed consulting

Elizabeth Eichhorn

Founder
Ampersand Way Copper Rose Wine

Emily Salberg

co-founder + Coo
What She Said Inc

Indra Gutierrez

president
gutier

Ingrid villarreal

J.D. Candidate & business law scholar  Georgetown university Law Center

Jaclynn Brennan

founder + CEO
Creative duality
co-founder - ayana

Jen Henderson

Founder + CEO
Tilt

Kena desai

M.D. Candidate 
Dell MEdical School at the University of Texas at Austin 

Laylee emadi

Founder
Laylee emadi creative

Marisa Garza

founder
kefi by MG

Priscilla Olivarez

assistant merchandiser
kendra scott

Rajul Kadakia

chairwoman +
co-founder
ayana foundation

rashu jain

consultant
Bain

Rena Pacheco-Theard


CEO + CO-Founder
Boutiq

samantha bryant

Marketing Manager
Penguin Random House

Sarah Catherine Baker


Founder
Baker & co

Sydney Key

revenue management Analyst
American airlines

YJ Lin

Head of community strategy - insead AL venture lab

advisory circle

Behind every bold initiative is a bold circle of champions.

Our Advisory Circle includes educators, investors, founders, and ecosystem builders who believe deeply in founder-first leadership. They offer perspective, open doors, and strengthen the communities we’re building.

bryn
carter

Caroline Crawford

rashu
jain

Marisa Garza

Priscilla Olivarez

Kena Desai

Ingrid villarreal

Jen Henderson

Indra Gutierrez

Emily Salberg

Elizabeth Eichhorn

Dana
Such

Cindy Y.
 Lo

Rena Pacheco-Theard

samantha bryant

YJ Lin

Sydney
Key

Sarah Catherine Baker

Rajul Kadakia

Laylee emadi

Jaclynn Brennan

Chris wright

ashley raymond

Things you should know WHEN workiNg with us 

We dont' skip the details - we elevate them. We design with purpose and a touch of sparkle, Because building the future should feel meaningful, human, and unforgettable.

We believe in community over competition — always. Because ecosystems grow when people grow together.

We believe in community over competition — always.
Because ecosystems grow when people grow together.

We build with intention, purpose, and heart — not just for short-term wins, but for ventures and leaders that last.

We care deeply about belonging — creating communities where founders are seen, supported, and able to show up fully as themselves.

We define flourishing as learning, growing, and giving back at the same rate. Because real success is measured not only by what you build, but by what you leave better for others.

Ready to build with us?
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