A Decade of Dedication: The Visionaries Shaping UnboundEd’s Next Chapter
Board members, funders, and CEO Lacey Robinson on the powerful partnerships and bold aspirations driving UnboundEd’s future
As UnboundEd marks its first decade, it’s a moment to celebrate the leaders stewarding the organization’s future. From passionate partners turned board members, to dedicated philanthropists who saw the spark of something special early on, to a visionary CEO whose love for teaching guides UnboundEd’s path, our shared story is one of collaboration and a deep commitment to empowering educators to uplift every single student.
Here are the hopes and dreams our greater UnboundEd team has for the next chapter—a future brimming with even greater impact and a continued dedication to transforming teaching and learning.
A Board Member Envisions Even More Innovation and a Bold Future
Sonjhia Lowery, a seasoned educator with 30 years of experience in multiple school systems, currently leads Just Score Inc. and brings a unique perspective to our board. Her journey with UnboundEd began during her time as an Associate Superintendent in the Stockton Unified School District in California, where she reached out to us for “heavy hitter support” in strengthening mindsets, practices, and culture across her organization.
Having been a “customer,” and later a Pivot Learning board member prior to Pivot’s merger with UnboundEd, Lowery brings a deep familiarity with our organization to the board. “I have always believed in the mission and vision of UnboundEd because I knew firsthand what it could do.” As a board member, Lowery’s extensive experience in education provides a crucial lens. “Being a CEO of my own organization, and then, having led school systems, I think I’m uniquely positioned to also be an ear to [UnboundEd CEO] Lacey [Robinson].”
Looking to the future, Lowery sees UnboundEd poised for significant transformation in the educational landscape. “I just envision the organization having a suite of services and products that can really transform how we teach and learn. The accessibility of on-demand learning and excellent curriculum will be a game changer in the marketplace.” Given the current educational landscape, Lowery thinks, “The local Standards Institutes are going to be incredibly important for educators.” Furthermore, she anticipates continued innovation and bold initiatives. “We have some other work that we are tackling that isn’t public yet… I just envision something bold and amazing in the future.”
I just envision the organization having a suite of services and products that can really transform how we teach and learn. The accessibility of on-demand learning and excellent curriculum will be a game changer in the marketplace.
Day-One Funders Excited For What Comes Next
The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies have been supporters and funders of UnboundEd and our predecessors for more than 10 years. Schusterman Co-President Julie Mikuta says, “When folks talk about Schusterman, they say ‘that’s the funder that focuses mostly on instruction’ — and now, literacy instruction more specifically.”
Their connection to UnboundEd began with the rollout of the Common Core. “UnboundEd grew out of EngageNY, which we thought was one of the most effective teacher-focused approaches to supporting teachers’ transition to a new curriculum — and teaching — that we had seen,” Julie says. “They were a missing piece of the puzzle.”
The organization’s partnership extends to more than just financial support: “We certainly give them grant dollars, but we’ve also done considerable ‘beyond the grant’ support,” says Brian Pick, Director, Education Grantmaking. “We work with UnboundEd on professional learning opportunities, on ways to broaden the demographic pool of curriculum writers, and we helped guide the Pivot Learning/CORE merger. We’re strong thought partners and networkers for their leadership team.”
And Schusterman’s support is yielding results. Pick says, “There’s a remarkable and inspiring depth of learning at the Standards Institute.” Daniela Cosmopulos [Senior Program Officer, Education Grantmaking] added, “We see it so often. One year, a district sends a few teachers to a Standards Institute, and the next year, they send every principal. That speaks to UnboundEd’s ability to turn participants into champions.”
As for the future, Cosmopulos says, “We’re excited about their expanded ability to bring the magic of the Standards Institute to the local level.” She added, “If you raise educator expectations, put rigorous materials in teachers’ hands, and align great instruction, we’ll see outsized impacts.” Pick confirms, “We just finished a multi-year renewal. We’re excited about this partnership.” And the Schusterman team all loves GLEAM® [Grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful] instruction. “We’re fans — it’s the kind of education all students should get.” Echoes Cosmopulos: “Exactly. Who could argue against engaging and affirming instruction?”
We’re excited about their expanded ability to bring the magic of the Standards Institute to the local level.
A Funder and Board Member With an Enduring Belief in UnboundEd
New Profit, a venture philanthropy firm committed to driving meaningful social change, has been a key ally of ours since its inception. Doug Borchard, New Profit’s Chief Operating Officer and a long-time member of UnboundEd’s board, first encountered the organization at a reception for another education nonprofit.
“There was a woman speaking about educational standards — not as a checklist, but as a pathway to deeper learning,” he recalls. “She explained the kind of support teachers would need to bring those standards to life in classrooms. I remember thinking, ‘Wow, I get it now. If this team can help real teachers in real classrooms unlock that kind of rigor and engagement, that’s powerful.” That moment sparked his interest, but it was our core beliefs that cemented New Profit’s commitment.
“What resonated most,” Borchard explains, “was UnboundEd’s belief in the connection between rigorous instruction and the fight against the predictability of student outcomes. They weren’t just helping schools raise the bar — they were doing it while addressing systemic issues and shifting mindsets about what’s possible for all students. They were the first to take that on so directly. That combination was powerful.” New Profit’s values deeply aligned with this holistic approach, which recognizes and challenges the structural barriers in education.
Looking ahead, Borchard is enthusiastic about UnboundEd’s evolution, especially the strategic merger with Pivot Learning/CORE Learning. “That merger, along with the move beyond curriculum into broader capabilities, was a major milestone,” he says. “Now UnboundEd has not only strong professional development but also the capacity to help districts implement it at scale.”
He’s also excited about the role technology will play in our future. “Lacey [Robinson, CEO] has a compelling vision for how technology can support teachers — helping them adapt high-quality curriculum and embed UnboundEd’s practices in ways that meet the needs of their specific classrooms.”
“While it’s a challenging time, it doesn’t change the underlying need for the work UnboundEd is doing. We’re committed to helping the organization navigate these waters and expand and grow.”
Lacey [Robinson, CEO] has a compelling vision for how technology can support teachers—helping them adapt high-quality curriculum and embed UnboundEd’s practices in ways that meet the needs of their specific classrooms.
An Unyielding Beacon of Change
From her earliest aspirations, UnboundEd CEO Lacey Robinson was drawn to the magic of learning, saying, “I’ve known since before I got to college that I enjoy teaching. I loved being around children, really loved watching people learn something.” This inherent passion blossomed into a deep well of empathy for the dedicated individuals who stand at the forefront of education.
A truly pivotal moment in Lacey’s journey was her introduction to UnboundEd’s Standards Institute. The vibrant atmosphere and shared pursuit of knowledge resonated. “That same feeling of watching adults in a room go from not knowing to knowing was just exhilarating,” she recalls. That formative experience sparked a desire to become part of the mission, leading her to join the organization and eventually step into the role of CEO.
Looking toward the horizon, Lacey’s vision for UnboundEd is both expansive and deeply human-centered. She explains, “My vision is to utilize the technology to lift some cognitive load for our educators, to continue to sit shoulder to shoulder with educators, to continue to be a catalyst for creating communities for educators.” Her ultimate aspiration is to be a driving force in reimagining the very fabric of education in the United States. “To be a part of the movement, to reimagine what it means to be educated in the United States, how do we go about school? How do we go about teaching and learning?”
Acknowledging the significant headwinds facing the education system today, Lacey’s belief in UnboundEd’s potential to make a meaningful difference remains steadfast. She envisions UnboundEd as a beacon of positive change, hoping that “UnboundEd will always be seen as a catalyst for exactly that.”
My vision is to utilize the technology to lift some cognitive load for our educators, to continue to sit shoulder to shoulder with educators, to continue to be a catalyst for creating communities for educators.
A Past and Future Built With the Strength of Our Community
As we proudly reflect on our first decade, our community of leaders — dedicated board members, steadfast funders, and a passionate CEO — share a powerful and unified vision for the future. The path ahead, illuminated by innovation, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the evolving needs of the education landscape, promises an even bolder and more transformative journey for us, all in service of ensuring every student has access to engaging, affirming, and meaningful learning experiences.
