About
Embolden Education was built from a deep belief that entrepreneurship begins with identity — the heart behind the work.
Who is an Entrepreneurial Leader?
At Embolden Education, we define an entrepreneurial leader as someone who empowers others to act — to solve problems, navigate uncertainty, embrace ambiguity, and take meaningful risks with confidence.
ENTREPRENEURIAL leadership begins with understanding what drives people at their core: their identities, strengths, values, and motivations.
That is why ebn EDU begins with identity. because when founders are grounded in who they are, they make clearer decisions, lead with greater resilience, and build ventures that are more aligned, adaptive, and enduring.
Our Philosophy
The Story Behind Embolden Education
Embolden Education was built by members of the original founding TEAM behind the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at The University of Texas at Austin — builders, creatives, and educators who believe deeply in founder-first leadership.
When the landscape shifted, our commitment didn’t. We carried the heart of our work at ks weli forward and refined it into something even more intentional: Embolden Education.
Our Why
MEET THE TEAM
After years of shaping entrepreneurial programs together, we found our way back to a shared mission — helping emerging founders step into clarity, confidence, and meaningful impact.
Catherine Scoggins
Top 5 CliftonStrengths
Chief Experience Officer
futuristic, achiever, individualizatioN, strategic, relator
4w3
Enneagram
Catherine designs the moments people remember. From large-scale events to transformational learning experiences, she brings a deep understanding of how intentional environments help people connect, grow, and feel empowered to take action.
With a background spanning experiential events, nonprofits, and higher education, she specializes in turning strategy into lived experience — always with community at the center.
She’s also a proud mom who’s building a career grounded in purpose, presence, and impact.
With a background spanning experiential events, nonprofits, and higher education, she specializes in turning strategy into lived experience — always with community at the center.
She’s also a proud mom who’s building a career grounded in purpose, presence, and impact.
Julie Nguyen
Top 5 CliftonStrengths
2w3
Enneagram
Chief operations Officer
developer, empathy, Positivity, communication, activator
Julie is the heart and engine behind Embolden — the person making sure everything runs smoothly while making everyone feel seen and supported along the way. With strengths rooted in empathy, communication, and activation, she turns complex ideas into clear systems that help people flourish.
She’s a founder herself and a master of operational design, translating vision into aligned action for both teams and founders.
Outside of work, she’s a creative explorer, jiu-jitsu enthusiast, and devoted cat mom.
She’s a founder herself and a master of operational design, translating vision into aligned action for both teams and founders.
Outside of work, she’s a creative explorer, jiu-jitsu enthusiast, and devoted cat mom.
Top 5 CliftonStrengths
3w4
Enneagram
ACHIEVER, SIGNIFICANCE, FOCUS, LEARNER, activator
Lesley robinson, PHD
Founder + Chief Education Officer
Dr. Lesley Robinson is an entrepreneurial leader, educator, and researcher who helps turn big ideas into real-world action — and equips others to do the same.
Her work sits at the intersection of entrepreneurial leadership, identity, and access — exploring how founders lead, make decisions, and persist when they understand their values, strengths, and motivations.
With more than two decades of experience in higher education and entrepreneurship ecosystem building, Lesley is known for bridging research and practice to design learning experiences that truly change how people lead and leave a legacy.
Her work sits at the intersection of entrepreneurial leadership, identity, and access — exploring how founders lead, make decisions, and persist when they understand their values, strengths, and motivations.
With more than two decades of experience in higher education and entrepreneurship ecosystem building, Lesley is known for bridging research and practice to design learning experiences that truly change how people lead and leave a legacy.
advisory circle
Behind every bold initiative is a bold circle of champions.
Our Advisory Circle includes educators, investors, founders, and ecosystem builders who believe deeply in founder-first leadership. They offer perspective, open doors, and strengthen the communities we’re building.
bryn carter-brown
co-founder + CEo
What She Said Inc
Caroline Crawford
founder
caroline crawford consulting
Chris wright, PhD
AVP, innovation & Entrepreneurship
university of Tulsa
Dana Such
founder
squeezed consulting
Elizabeth Eichhorn
Founder
Ampersand Way Copper Rose Wine
Emily Salberg
co-founder + Coo
What She Said Inc
Indra Gutierrez
president
gutier
Jen Henderson
Founder + CEO
Tilt
Jaclynn Brennan
founder + CEO
Creative duality
co-founder - ayana
Marisa Garza
founder
kefi by MG
Priscilla Olivarez
assistant merchandiser
kendra scott
Rajul Kadakia
chairwoman +
co-founder
ayana foundation
rashu jain
consultant
Bain
Sydney Key
revenue management Analyst
American airlines
YJ Lin
Head of community strategy - insead AL venture lab
Cindy Y. Lo
CEO RED velvet +
CEO Strong events
Sarah Catherine Baker
Chief of staff
What she said inc
Rena Pacheco-Theard
CEO + CO-Founder
Boutiq
advisory circle
Behind every bold initiative is a bold circle of champions.
Our Advisory Circle includes educators, investors, founders, and ecosystem builders who believe deeply in founder-first leadership. They offer perspective, open doors, and strengthen the communities we’re building.
bryn carter-brown
Caroline Crawford
Chris wright
YJ Lin
rashu
jain
Sarah Catherine Baker
Sydney
Key
Marisa Garza
Priscilla Olivarez
Rajul Kadakia
Jaclynn Brennan
Jen Henderson
Indra Gutierrez
Emily Salberg
Elizabeth Eichhorn
Dana
Such
Cindy Y.
Lo
