Carina
Carina Initiatives is a philanthropic fund working to send more kids from more communities to the frontiers of science and technology. In our work to build a better mathematics talent system in the United States, we collaborate with and fund organizations such as AoPS, Astra Logical, Brilliant, Funexpected, Math Makers, National Math Stars, National Math Camps, and Thinky Games.
We believe that advances in AI have put humanity on the precipice of a technological revolution the likes of which we have not seen before. Humanity has not historically managed these revolutions gracefully. Often the core challenge in these transitions is education. Educational change tends to lag behind technological change by generations. We can't afford that sort of delay this time around.
We believe that in an AI future, the most important skillset for working at the frontiers will be communicating with and deeply understanding AI. A deep understanding of computer science and math is more important than ever. Just as AI poses challenges, it also offers opportunity—the opportunity to provide millions of people with high-fidelity, first-class education in computer science and math. For too long, this sort of education has been scarce, but we believe that AI can change that.
For the last 5 years, we have been funding Chris Piech's work in computer science education and AI research at Stanford. We believe that if anyone is going to build exceptional AI-infused undergraduate computer science education that's human-aligned, it's him. He's unique in his ability to conduct frontier AI research, develop exceptional computer science pedagogy, and put humans first.
We are excited to expand our partnership with Chris and help him launch Kundi Education by providing funding and operational support to build educational technologies that make truly high-quality computer science education accessible to all.
Kundi Education
Kundi Education is dedicated to developing and advancing educational technologies that enhance human learning and teaching, with a focus on machine learning and AI tools that support human understanding. We believe in a world where AI serves to improve education for all.
Our foundation is built on the underlying platform behind Code In Place, a groundbreaking massive open-access course developed by Professor Chris Piech and his lab that teaches Stanford's CS106A - an intro to coding course. What sets our platform apart is the integration of section leaders who teach weekly interactive learning sessions, creating a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio even with class sizes exceeding 10,000 students. This approach has resulted in course completion rates that are 10x higher than traditional MOOCs (60% vs. 6%).
As AI continues to transform our world, we believe learning to code—and learning how to teach coding effectively—is more critical than ever. Our mission is to build a community of both joyful learners and exceptional teachers through technology that scales human connection.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a visionary CEO to launch and lead Kundi Education at this pivotal moment. You will partner closely with our founder, Professor Chris Piech, and our board to scale our educational technology from its research origins to widespread impact. This is a rare opportunity to lead a small but ambitious team that's reimagining how AI can enhance education rather than replace human connection.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Vision & Leadership
- Set and implement the strategic direction to scale our impact with a sustainable business model
- Partner with our founder/Chief Product Officer to shape product vision and go-to-market strategy
- Lead the transition from cutting-edge research tools to commercially viable educational platforms
- Work with our Board to establish and meet short and long-term organizational objectives
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and shared purpose among our team and partners
Program & Partnership Development
- Oversee the scaling of our licensing model, ensuring it meets the needs of diverse educational partners
- Build strategic partnerships with educational institutions globally, with a near-term focus on opportunities in Latin America
- Monitor the effectiveness of our tools and drive continuous improvement based on user feedback and outcomes
- Create sustainable growth strategies that maintain our commitment to quality and human connection
Team & Operational Leadership
- Provide day-to-day leadership for our team, establishing clear priorities and accountability
- Recruit, develop, and retain top talent who share our vision for AI-enhanced, human-centered education
- Develop operational systems that scale effectively while maintaining our core values
- Ensure legal, regulatory, and financial compliance across all activities
Fundraising & Financial Stewardship
- Lead fundraising efforts, securing grants, donations, partnerships, and other funding streams
- Develop and manage our annual budget with fiscal responsibility and strategic resource allocation
- Build relationships with potential donors and partners who align with our mission
- Create a comprehensive fundraising strategy for sustainable growth
External Representation & Community Building
- Serve as the primary spokesperson, articulating our mission and impact to diverse audiences
- Build a vibrant community of learners, teachers, and stakeholders who champion our approach
- Represent Kundi Education in academic, industry, and policy forums
- Navigate the educational technology landscape with authenticity and vision
Qualifications & Experience
- Leadership Experience: Minimum 5 years in a senior leadership role, preferably in educational technology. Proven ability to manage distributed teams and drive organizational growth.
- Academic Understanding: Strong familiarity with university/academic culture and experience collaborating with higher education institutions. Ability to 'speak the language of academia.'
- Educational Technology Expertise: Deep understanding of the edtech landscape, particularly in applications of machine learning and AI in teaching and learning.
- Execution & Scale Focus: Demonstrated ability to execute ambitious visions and scale organizations or products effectively.
- Strategic Vision: Ability to think creatively about the future of education and technology, with experience developing and implementing strategic plans.
- Fundraising Acumen: Track record in fundraising, developing partnerships, and financial management.
- Communication Excellence: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to inspire diverse stakeholders.
- Cultural Fit: Alignment with our mission and values; ability to work collaboratively with Chris Piech and the Stanford team. Trust is foundational to this role.
Location
Remote-friendly position with quarterly in-person collaboration with Chris and the team required. Candidates must be available for necessary travel, particularly for key partner engagements.
Compensation
$160,000-$200,000 annually (Bay Area benchmark), commensurate with experience.
We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.