Ali Kaufman

Ali Kaufman, is the Founder, CEO & Schoolhouse Director of Space of Mind (SOM), a modern schoolhouse for our social world. It is a special place where academic and life skills are taught hand-in-hand, and where friends are made and creativity is sparked.

Ali is a prolific idea-maker, persistent problem-solver and a ridiculous fountain of energy and creativity. Seeing things from every angle is the kind of thinking that fueled her to create space of mind with a vision that's redefining education. Blame it on her AD/HD. Ali officially founded SOM in 2004 to help disorganized and overwhelmed people get themselves uncluttered and unstuck, though since long before that, she has been passionately dedicated to inspiring others through self-discovery and social learning. With a laser-focused vision that everyone needs only be THEIR best, not THE best, Ali is a tireless advocate for learning for learning’s sake, and not just because there’s a test to study for. A coach by nature, her skills have been nurtured through professional experience in management, communications, public & customer service and education & youth programming. But her most compelling experience is her journey as a young student gifted with teachers and parents who made learning (and school) challenging, fun and full of freedom. A natural leader, Ali’s attention to detail, innate curiosity (her initials are A.S.K.!), and her commitment to social justice and community-building led her to study Judaic & American Studies at Brandeis University, where she also continued her love affair with Boston and cut her teeth in business. Ali is a fierce advocate for social justice and civil rights and volunteers her time and energy to support the Anti-Defamation League and their No Place for Hate education program to promote tolerance in schools across the country. Ali lives and works in downtown Delray Beach, where she spends time at the beach, with her dog, laughing with friends and family and working on the book she is writing with her middle school social studies teacher.

Ali will discuss 'moments' from her entrepreneurial journey to redefine the traditional school experience for students, families and communities. Working outside of the box and with a passion for solving a problem that needed solving, Ali developed 'social homeschooling' as a way to make school fun, learning accessible and social, emotional and life skills a part of the curriculum. While creating the blueprint for educational innovation, Ali experiences daily moments of inspiration, desperation, frustration and elation. You won't believe the stories...

Learn more about SOM at findspaceofmind.com.
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