Our story
After the COVID-19 pandemic changed how we see and interact with the world around us, we gathered an incredible team to see how we could give back to our community despite the limitations. Future Forward Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization established in 2020.
Our goal is to provide educational resources for students in need. Especially amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic, students are unable to utilize in person educational resources afforded to them by the hospital. Therefore, we aim to provide virtual learning services when in person tutoring is not possible.
While schools provide countless services, many students lack the support they need at home. That is why we also extend our services to students who need them.
We aim to do our part in decreasing educational disparities. In doing so, we provide tablets and devices to students in order to bridge the gap. We believe that education is a fundamental part to every child's life, no matter the circumstance.
Board of directors
keaton pendergrast
Chief Executive Officer
Keaton is originally from Tennessee, and he is currently a second year medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School — Twin Cities. He graduated from Emory University in 2021 with a BS in Biology and Anthropology. Keaton strongly believes that education is the great equalizer, and he hopes to provide a platform where kids, regardless of socioeconomic background or health condition, could receive instruction and academic mentoring. Keaton has a passion for underserved and low SES populations, and he is an experienced K-12 tutor and hospital volunteer supporting the Foundation's mission.
Alex fukunaga
Chief Executive Officer
Alex graduated as a Biology major at Emory University in 2021, and he is a first year medical student at the George Washington University School of Medicine. He is originally from Los Angeles, California. Being a childhood cancer patient that was in and out of the hospital for a year and a half, he understands that education is the least of a family's worries. Alex wants to do his part to make learning easier and a less stressful experience while maintaining the quality of schooling that a student would have in favorable circumstances.
Michelle Liu
Chief Adminstrative Officer
Department of Administration
Michelle is originally from Boca Raton, Florida and graduated from Emory University after studying Biology and Economics who aspires to be a pediatrician, and she is a first year medical student at the University of Florida School of Medicine. Michelle has previously worked with children throughout K-12 as a tutor and has volunteered with long-term care children in hospitals. After COVID-19 changed how volunteers can interact with patients, she was inspired to help create an organization that will help students continue to learn in these uncertain times.
ADITYA JHAVERI
Chief Operating Officer
Department of Operations
Aditya Jhaveri graduated Emory University studying Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology alongside Quantitative Sciences on an Economics track. He has volunteered in rehabilitation settings and works to provide healthcare in rural communities. Aditya hopes educational resources for patients in all settings can achieve better outcomes in school and help prevent medical care from becoming a burden on learning.
Associate Board
The Foundation's Associate Board is a group of emerging leaders who dedicate their own time, talents, networks, and resources to raise awareness and support for the work and mission of the Forward Future Foundation. The role of an Associate Board member carries with it the responsibility to serve as a committed supporter and thoughtful advocate for the Foundation.
Lindsay Chen
Director
Division of Creativity & Media
Lindsay graduated as a Quantitative Sciences major doing a sociology concentration on the prehealth track at Emory University. She has a passion for art and design and loves to use it as a form of communication to bridge visual arts with sciences. Lindsay loves to work with children as she has previously tutored K-12 children and is currently volunteering in children’s hospitals. Lindsay hopes to use her creativity to educate as well as have fun with students.
lauren flamenbaum
Specialist
Division of Community Outreach
Lauren Flamenbaum is a graduate of Emory University having studied Neuroscience and Behavioural Biology and minoring in Anthropology. She is a dedicated children's advocate who has extensive experience in hospital based school programs. Lauren is excited to bring her experiences to the Foundation where she will be able to spearhead growth while still being an active tutor to those who need it the most.