Kirk Brown (@kirkandre) is the Chief Development & Communications Officer for the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, GA where he leads the fundraising, partnerships, and communications strategy. Over the past 12 years of his fundraising career, Kirk has successfully raised more than $70 million dollars to support individuals, including RCA’s most recent gift of $5 million from Oprah Winfrey—the single largest gift the Academy had ever received.

This conversation revolves around changing education paradigms and making learning fun! We discuss the success and impact of the Ron Clark Academy, what it was like receiving a HUGE financial gift from Oprah, and the importance of finding creative outlets (and compatible partners) on the path toward purpose.