Our Team
Sara Mierke
Founder
(pronouns: she/her/hers)
sara@anchorschoolsproject.org
With 25 years of experience working in schools across 5 continents in 15 countries, Sara knows the power of people, purpose, and place in education. As a student of anthropology, international development, and education entrepreneurship, Sara has worked to build vision and capacity in organizations to address systemic poverty and injustice in the world.
Sara began her career working with Catholic Relief Services in Somalia and the Horn of Africa then the Balkans during the Kosovo crisis. Later, as founding director of The Sally & Bob Gries Center for Experiential and Service Learning at Hawken School (Ohio) and program director for Global Programs at African Leadership Academy (South Africa) she led efforts to create unique community-based learning models that help young people define purpose in their lives. Currently, Sara works as a senior consultant for EXPLO Elevate, a collective that is focused on innovation capacity.
Outside her work in schools, Sara has served on various nonprofit boards, including the Independent Schools Experiential Education Network (ISEEN), as well as animal behavior research teams in Glacier Bay, Alaska and the Maasai Mara, Kenya. When not at her laptop, she can be found in a canoe, riding her bike, volunteering, exploring city neighborhoods, or reading fiction - always anchored by thoughts of what to plant in her vegetable garden.
Segun Olagunju
Co-Founder
(pronouns: he/him/his)
segun@anchorschoolsproject.org
In everything he does, Segun works for good. With a background in business administration and management, Segun uses human-centered, design thinking strategies to help organizations engage in transformational change. More specifically, he helps them become more equity and purpose-driven.
As a serial social entrepreneur, Segun knows how to manage the processes that make new initiatives come to life. In his work as the director of civic engagement & service learning at The Park School of Baltimore and as the architect of the Entrepreneurial Leadership program at the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa, Segun has been a catalytic force in creating opportunities for a new generation of leaders. And as a facilitator and advisor, Segun has helped clients understand social impact as a part of organizational performance.
When he is not working on strategy for clients, Segun can be found analyzing the tactics of his two favorite soccer teams - DC United and Arsenal FC! He might also be found digging through old vinyl to explore and discover treasures in the world of music. But whatever Segun is doing, his being is anchored by family and friends.
Our Vision & Values
Vision
Thriving communities where all people experience learning, opportunity, and dignity.
We believe
… student learning becomes transformational when a school is deeply integrated with its community
… schools that model inclusive local engagement and equity-informed social impact see those values reflected in their students
… school-community coalitions committed to an equitable, just society can shift education and sustain neighborhood well-being
Values
Equity + Humanity
Community + Collaboration
Learning + Creativity
Opportunity + Access