Adnan Iftekhar
TOM THORPE
Adnan Iftekhar is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Catalyst Consulting. Adnan is a seasoned educator with 25 years of experience, having taught a diverse range of subjects such as dance, biology, math, computer science, design, social innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, yoga and acrobatics to students of all ages. Currently, he is dedicated to empowering young people to create meaningful impacts and solve global issues through collaboration and communication. He is passionate about rethinking education and assessment models to redefine learning, teaching, school, success and failure.
Adnan has delivered keynote speeches at events across the US and internationally, including an Alibaba Summit in Xiamen, China. He has also founded multiple businesses, including a non-profit, brick and mortar business (yoga studio), software consulting business, a successful product business, multiple online ventures and a boarding school. As a former Program Manager and Learning Platform Strategist for Google, he is a Google Certified Innovator, Trainer, and Educator as well as a Certified EQ Educator & Practitioner.
Adnan's passions encompass encouraging student voice and choice, entrepreneurship, social innovation, taking risks, and being comfortable with discomfort. He created a custom program, "Teaching with Purpose: The Intentional use of Technology," which he delivered online and in-person to 40 educators in Pakistan to cultivate a group of technologically and pedagogically motivated educators proficient in Google for Education Tools. He is working on creating a larger impact in the field by scaling the teacher training component to include practical experience, coaching skills and deep learning.
Tom Thorpe is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Catalyst Consulting and the founder and Director of the REDI Lab @ Colorado Academy (research entrepreneurship, design, and inquiry). A quick study and expert at designing spaces and places for people to thrive. A career educator, creative and designer. His specialties include helping individuals and organizations find creative solutions through essential processes and systems.
He holds a Double Major BA in Social/Cultural Anthropology and Religious Studies from Connecticut College, and an MA in Teaching, with an emphasis on secondary school curriculum and instruction from Fairfield University. Thorpe is completing his private pilot's license and preparing to begin his MBA. He has served as a trustee for boards. He is a regular facilitator and speaker at national conferences for schools, organizations, and companies around the country, Thorpe brings the art of storytelling to discover more of what’s possible. He enjoys waking up early, drinking good coffee, and having fun with family, friends, and colleagues, while hustling to make a difference in the world. Motivated to help us all notice our connected humanity, Thorpe is an optimist who believes deeply that creativity can solve most problems.
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