Pine Crest School Welcomes Global Entrepreneurs

Abstract? Sometimes. Disruptive? Possibly. Innovative? Always. The entrepreneurial mindset at Pine Crest School takes on many forms and is woven throughout the Lower, Middle and Upper School curricula. Five years ago, Mrs. Keri Kolettis, Vice President of Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship, developed the three-year social entrepreneurship program offered in Upper School. Mrs. Kolettis works closely with Divisional leadership to incorporate entrepreneurial learning opportunities in all grade levels. 

“Our goal is that we see entrepreneurship in every class,” said Mrs. Kolettis. The delivery and methods of this content will vary, but the fundamental learning of how to be resilient, creative, collaborative and enterprising will remain the same.” 

Pine Crest President Dr. Dana Markham’s ’18H vision of expanding the curriculum to advance skills that reflect real-world challenges and scenarios helped guide the direction and implementation of the entrepreneurship curriculum in alignment with our 2024-29 Strategic Plan, “Learning and Leading: Globally Connected, Culturally Inspired.” 

Faculty, staff and administrators in the Middle School brainstorm of what students will need in order to be future-ready. 

During the 2023-24 academic year, faculty, staff and administrators representing both campuses and all Divisions met for several months to chart the course outlined in the new Strategic Plan. 

“Our students are prepared to lead us into the future,” says Dr. Markham. “We are constantly reviewing what must be true to ensure our students are future-ready and how we can evolve our curricula to fulfill that need. The forward-thinking, global-centric approach in our newest strategic plan is a testament to the faculty who lean into the evolution of learning in our classrooms to meet students’ needs for the world of tomorrow.” 

From our youngest learners in Lower School through Middle School with students who engage in leadership and impact classes to our oldest cohort of Upper School students who elect to take the three-year social entrepreneurship program, the entrepreneurial mindset is being nurtured at Pine Crest. 

In recent months, Pine Crest has continued to build on its partnerships with Pioneer Academics Research Global Problem Solving Institute, Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and the Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program. Pine Crest has expanded its social entrepreneurship to include two new partners. 

Earlier this fall during the Entrepreneurship Dedicated to Global Engagement (EDGE) grand opening, Upper School Social Entrepreneurship students welcomed Stephen Ross, Kenneth Himmell, Jordan Bargas and Kevin Ryan from Related Ross to the newly updated and expanded EDGE learning space that includes a pre-existing classroom, Technology Student Association (TSA) room, Collaboratorium, Data Analytics Lab, High Tech Hub digital meeting room and podcasting space. Stephen Ross, CEO and Chairman, is a renowned developer with a successful career in real estate that spans decades and locations all over the globe. 

Social entrepreneurship students gathered to hear from the Related Ross team during a recent visit.

During their recent visit, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest Middle School students did a demonstration for the Related Ross team with the Middle School Computer Science Class robotic dog.

Johanna Henry '26 and Lucia Lecour '26 listen intently as Stephen Ross and Ken Himmell share their professional experience as global real estate developers during the EDGE space grand opening.

Dr. Dana Markham '18H, Kenneth Himmell, Stephen Ross, Sophie Whiteside '24, Jordan Bargas, Kevin Ryan and Keri Kolettis posed for a photo with the visitors from Related Ross.

Stephen Ross of Related Ross shared his thoughts and insights with the Upper School entrepreneuship students.

Charlotte Theis '25 chatting with Stephen Ross and Dr. Dana Markham '18H after the Related Ross presentation. 

Social entrepreneurship students and the Related Ross team pose in the Upper School library. 

Stephen and his team inspired students with their insight into real estate development. Well known for his impact in developing the Hudson Yards in New York City, Stephen described Related Ross as an innovative developer who prioritizes community and creates places and spaces where people can thrive. 

Students were inspired by messages of resilience, growth mindset, collaboration and global thinking to ensure long-term sustainability of their initiatives. 

Social Entrepreneurship students enjoyed the Related Ross presentation during the EDGE space grand opening earlier this fall.  

“It is always important, when developing new projects, to design and build spaces that its residents, office workers and surrounding community can be proud of," shared Jordan Bargas, Senior Vice President of Development of Related Ross, during a recent visit with Upper School students.

“The entrepreneurship students maximized the opportunity to connect with Stephen Ross and his team,” shared Mrs. Kolettis. “They asked questions, engaged in enlightening dialogue and can’t wait until their next visit.”

Dr. Dana Markham ’18H and Mrs. Keri Kolettis pose with Jordan Bargas of Related Ross during his recent visit to speak with Upper School social entrepreneurship students. 

The Social Entrepreneurship students did not have to wait long for another opportunity. Global connections for Pine Crest students are abundant. During the month of October, seniors in the social entrepreneurship program met with members of the London School of Economics (LSE) Generate Schools Programme to participate in the Visionary Ventures speaker series with LSE startup experts and business leaders. Mr. Tim Deeson, one of LSE Generate Entrepreneurs in Residence, shared his experience building and launching a product in the marketplace. 

“By sharing what I know, I can show people what is possible and that they can do it on their own,” said Mr. Deeson. 

“This is just the beginning of our partnership with LSE. We have many initiatives that place entrepreneurship and innovation in front of our Upper School students,’ shared Keri Kolettis. 

Senior social entrepreneurship students participated in the Visionary Ventures speaker series with presenters from the London School of Economics.

LSE and Pine Crest will continue to collaborate at the Innovation Festival in early 2025. This three-day event on the Fort Lauderdale campus is open to all Upper School students and faculty and staff from both campuses. Cathy Walker, who oversees the strategic development and growth of the LSE Generate Schools Programme, said she is “looking forward to hearing from Pine Crest young people and their ideas to innovate for a better, brighter future.” 

This first-of-its-kind partnership for LSE will bring a slew of LSE alumni, faculty and staff from across the globe to our campus. The speakers and presenters range from venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, industry disruptors and leaders and visionaries. Pine Crest’s own innovators, iLab specialists and faculty will join our global guests to lead panel discussions and presentations. When asked how she would describe the partnership between Pine Crest and LSE, Chandni Hirani, a venture capitalist based in Africa and LSE alum, said, “trailblazing.” 

“We are thrilled to welcome LSE and other partners to our campuses. Our international approach provides endless opportunities for our students,” said Mrs. Kolettis. “As Dr. Markham often reminds us, the world is becoming smaller and thus the need for global connection is stronger. We will make sure our students are prepared.”