Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kellie Lauth. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kellie , thanks for joining us today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?

The most important lesson I’ve carried into my role as a CEO is the power of strategic imagination and intentional design—a lesson shaped by two seemingly unrelated, but equally transformative experiences: leading a K-8 STEM Title I school and designing window displays for Ralph Lauren in my early retail days.
Let’s start with Ralph Lauren. As a teenager, I had the incredible opportunity to design window displays for one of the most iconic brands in fashion. Every display had to tell a story—elegance, adventure, or nostalgia—using only mannequins, props, and a creative eye. It was about creating an emotional connection that made people stop, look, and engage. I learned how to take a blank canvas and craft something magnetic, purposeful, and unforgettable. I also learned that small details—like the perfect lighting or a subtle placement of a scarf—could make all the difference in creating that spark of inspiration and compel people to spend their time and money.
Fast forward to my time as principal at STEM Launch. Here, my canvas wasn’t a window, but a school that served some of the most highly impacted students in the district. Just like designing those displays, the challenge was to craft something transformative out of seemingly limited resources. We weren’t just shaping a school; we were reimagining what education could look like for kids who often felt invisible. Every program, every initiative, was designed to draw students in, ignite their curiosity, and engage them to see their potential as engineers, scientists, creators, and innovators.
What ties these experiences together is the lesson that strategic imagination and intentional design can change outcomes—whether it’s pulling people into a storefront or pulling students into a vision of their own futures. At Ralph Lauren, I saw how intentionality could create beauty; at STEM Launch, I saw how it could create opportunity.
As a CEO now, I rely on these lessons daily. Strategic imaginations fuels the courage to push boundaries and ask, “What if we try something no one else has done?” Intentional design ensures those big ideas are grounded in practical, impactful solutions. Together, they’ve become the blueprint for how we upskill educators, impact students, and transform communities at MindSpark Learning.
Because at the end of the day, whether it’s a window display or a classroom, it’s all about creating moments that make people stop, engage, and believe in what’s possible.

Kellie , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My journey to becoming the CEO of MindSpark Learning has been a mix of engineering precision, educational passion, and entrepreneurial grit. It’s proof that sometimes your path isn’t linear.I started my career as a biochemical engineer, where I learned the importance of precision, problem-solving, and thinking critically under pressure and also the importance of representation and having strong mentors. While I loved the technical side of the work, I realized I wasn’t just passionate about solving problems—I wanted to help others discover their ability to solve them too and I wanted to see more girls have opportunities in math and science. That realization led me to education, where I worked as a teacher, principal, and district STEM leader, helping transform underfunded schools into places where students could thrive.
Now, as CEO of MindSpark Learning, I’ve brought those two worlds—engineering and education—together. At MindSpark, we work at the intersection of education and workforce development, providing professional experiences for educators, designing cutting-edge STEM programs, and creating connections between schools and industries. In essence, we build bridges: between classrooms and careers, students and opportunities, and education and equity.
What makes MindSpark different is our bold approach to reimagining education. We don’t believe in Band-Aid solutions. We focus on transformative change that’s durable, scalable, and deeply rooted in data. Our problem-based learning (PBL) model is at the core of everything we do. It engages students to tackle real-world challenges—like designing sustainable energy solutions or developing clean water systems—while equipping educators with the tools to make this learning come alive in the classroom.
Here’s what we’re most proud of:
Over 2M+ students reached: Through our programs and partnerships, these students have gained access to hands-on, inquiry-based learning with direct pathways to industry champions.
6,800+ partnerships across 50 states: From Fortune 500 companies to local community organizations, we’ve built a powerful network to bring resources into schools.
15% improvement in STEM and literacy achievement: In schools implementing our PBL model, students don’t just learn—they excel.
Closing Opportunity Gaps: Within Todd County in South Dakota, our work with the Lakota Sicangu Nation lifted students from three grade levels below the national average to 63% performing above their district average.
Public education is struggling to keep up with the pace of change. Many schools operate in silos, disconnected from the workforce and real-world challenges. Students and educators alike feel disengaged, and underserved communities often lack access to innovative resources.
At MindSpark, we tackle this by:
Upskilling Educators: Our professional development programs equip teachers to deliver relevant, inquiry-based learning that transforms the student experience and builds critical thinking skills.
Connecting Schools to Industries: We partner with businesses to bring real-world challenges into classrooms, helping students see the “why” behind their learning while addressing workforce gaps.
Making Education Equitable: We prioritize Title I schools and rural and Tribal communities to ensure every student—regardless of zip code—has the tools to succeed.
If you ask me what I’m most proud of, it’s the ripple effect of our work. When an educator tells us they’ve rediscovered their passion for teaching after 20 years or a student shares how one of our STEM programs paved the way toward a future in science changing the entire economic trajectory of their family, it’s a reminder of why we do this.
It’s not just about numbers (though those matter)—it’s about changing perceptions. We help students and educators see what’s possible, not just in their classrooms, but in their communities and beyond. And the best part? We’re just getting started.
At MindSpark, we believe education is more than a system—it’s a movement. We’re not here to patch holes or tweak around the edges. We’re here to reimagine what learning can be and to make it work for everyone. So, whether you’re an educator, a policymaker, or a business leader, we’d love to collaborate. Together, we can transform education into a platform that prepares students for the challenges of tomorrow while building stronger, more connected communities today.
My journey from engineering to education to CEO has taught me this: big change starts with big questions, bold action, and a team committed to making a difference. At MindSpark, that’s exactly what we’re doing every day.

Any advice for managing a team?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale starts with intentionally building a culture that’s strong, agile, and people-centered. At MindSpark Learning, we’ve learned that when you invest in people first—truly prioritize their growth, well-being, and sense of purpose—the rest tends to follow. Here’s what I’ve found most effective:
A strong culture isn’t about rigid structures or endless policies—it’s about shared values and a sense of belonging. At MindSpark, we focus on agility, meaning we’re adaptable and open to innovation, but rooted in trust and transparency.
We encourage team members to take risks, share ideas, and embrace a “fail forward” mindset. Agile cultures thrive when people feel safe to experiment and know they’ll be supported no matter the outcome. This means fostering open communication and collaboration, where every voice matters, and feedback is both welcomed and actionable. We also embrace discourse and the idea that being clear and honest is kind. When you have a mission-centric organization often the sense of purpose is easy for people to navigate toward, but ensuring you develop their skill set, invest in their professional growth, and cultivate their talent is something that takes intentionality and design.
People aren’t just employees—they’re the heart of any organization. We invest heavily in professional development, helping our team grow their skills and find their passions. Whether it’s leadership training, flexible work models, or wellness programs, we focus on the whole person, not just the job.
When people see that their growth and well-being matter, they show up more engaged and committed. A people-first model isn’t just good for morale—it’s good for business.
Leadership sets the tone. If you want your team to embrace a strong culture, leaders need to model the behaviors they hope to see. That means showing up with integrity, empathy, and a willingness to roll up your sleeves. At MindSpark, we believe in the power of vulnerability—acknowledging challenges openly and celebrating wins together.
High morale isn’t built on massive achievements alone—it’s about recognizing the small wins along the way. Whether it’s completing a project, hitting a milestone, or simply showing resilience during tough times, we make it a point to celebrate. Acknowledgment creates momentum, and momentum fuels morale.
Managing a team and maintaining high morale isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection. When you create a culture where people feel valued, trusted, and aligned with a shared purpose, you enable them to thrive. At MindSpark, we live this every day—building an organization that’s agile, people-first, and driven by the belief that investing in each other is the key to achieving big things.
It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. A strong team with high morale isn’t just a joy to lead—it’s the foundation of everything we accomplish.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the most pivotal moments in my career—and for MindSpark Learning as an organization—was during the early days of the pandemic. Virtually overnight, everything we had built around in-person training, workshops, and community-building had to shift online. It wasn’t just about logistics; it was about maintaining the extraordinary nature of what we do: creating connection, fostering community, and delivering impact that truly transforms educators and students.
Our challenge wasn’t just to move sessions online; it was to reimagine how to replicate the magic of in-person engagement in a virtual environment. It was like going from HD to 2D but keeping the magic and quality of HD. We had to intentionally design for this—solving for accessibility, connection, and interactivity while ensuring our programs remained impactful and authentic to our brand. How do you take something we did over a 2-3 day span and have it be as impactful virtually in a few hours?
We leaned into innovation and agility, navigating new technologies and exploring tools that could help us create meaningful, dynamic virtual experiences. Within 10 days, we had served over 2,000 educators online without any negative impact to our NPS or data, proving that even in a time of crisis, we could not only adapt but thrive.
This pivot required rethinking everything:
Connection: We built interactive models that kept educators engaged, ensuring breakout sessions, live discussions, and collaborative projects mirrored the intimacy of in-person gatherings.
Accessibility: We developed models to reach educators who faced technological barriers, ensuring equity and inclusivity.
Brand Identity: We stayed true to our mission by maintaining the same level of quality and personalization, whether online or in-person.
Looking back, this moment of crisis became a moment of transformation. Not only did we keep our momentum, but we also expanded our reach and impact, proving that MindSpark could be just as extraordinary online as it is in person. This shift exponentially shifted our business model.
The lesson? Pivoting isn’t just about reacting to change—it’s about using challenges as opportunities to innovate and grow. That mindset didn’t just carry us through the pandemic; it strengthened our foundation and expanded what we thought was possible for the future of MindSpark.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mindspark.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymindspark/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mymindspark/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mymindspark/
• Twitter: https://x.com/mymindSpark?mx=2
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindSparkLearning
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mymindspark

Image Credits

Colleen Comstock
Rachel Bull