In the first episode of the new season of Start With Questions, Kristy Lundstrom, CEO of the Mount Vernon Organization in Atlanta, and Sandra Nagy, Managing Director of the Future Design School in Canada, kick things off with a thought-provoking conversation about the bold ideas shaping the future of learning.

Together, they connect insights from two groundbreaking reports:

• Imagine Then, Act Now: Futures Literacy for Learning Organizations — by Mount Vernon Ventures
• The Future of Education 2025 — by Future Design School

 Tune in as they explore futures literacy, design-based learning, and the importance of human-centered education in an AI-driven world. Whether you’re a school leader, teacher, or innovator, this episode will spark your imagination — and inspire your next move.

Key Themes:

• Futures Literacy
• Student Agency
• School as R&D Lab
• AI — Content, Context, and Care

In this episode of Start With Questions, host Ann Marsh Rutledge welcomes Peter Baron, founder of Moonshot OS, to discuss how schools can move from strategic planning to strategic execution. Together, they unpack the concept of a "school operating system," a framework that helps schools align people, processes, and tools to bring ambitious goals to life. From building strong meeting rhythms to tracking meaningful data, this conversation explores into how thoughtful systems can empower educators, break down silos, and ultimately drive transformational change across an entire school community.

Bonus: The Business Competency Self-Assessment for Independent School Leaders can be found here: https://www.moonshotos.com/independent-school-business-competency-self-assessment

In this episode of Start With Questions, host Ann Marsh Rutledge sits down with Nicole Wortham, a Maker Design teacher at The Mount Vernon School, to explore how schools can be more intentional about shaping the future of their maker programs. From fostering student agency to building sustainable innovation practices, this conversation dives deep into what it means to empower learners now for the challenges of tomorrow.

In this episode of Start with Questions, host Ann Marsh Rutledge welcomes Chris Pryor, founder of Lead Team Partners, to discuss the critical role of external partnerships in supporting and empowering school leaders. The conversation delves into Lead Team Partners' origin, its mission to bridge the gap between school leaders and external consultants, and the innovative ways it fosters community and collaboration within the education sector.

In this episode of Start with Questions, host Ann Marsh Rutledge interviews Lily Catano, a teacher at The Mount Vernon School, about her transformative use of design thinking in language education. Lily shares how she integrates "Pequeños Aprendices con Grandes Ideas," the Spanish version of the "Little Learners with Big Ideas" field guide, to enhance her Spanish classes for young learners. This guide was inspired by the Compass Field Guide and adapted using age-appropriate language and images for our littlest learners. Through culturally rich expeditions, such as trips to Hispanic markets and virtual tours of Colombian wildlife, Lily Catano encourages her students to apply language skills in real-world contexts. She emphasizes that design thinking fosters empathy, creativity, and a love for learning, preparing students to become thoughtful, engaged global citizens.

In this episode of Start with Questions, we explore how Mackintosh Academy Littleton, a small independent school in Colorado for gifted learners, is using futures thinking and scenario planning to shape its strategic vision. Annie Slothower, Director of Enrollment Management, shares how the school’s strengths—small class sizes, a strengths-based approach, and an International Baccalaureate curriculum—inform its mission to serve gifted students. Through collaboration with Mount Vernon Ventures consulting team, Mackintosh Academy Littleton explored future scenarios such as becoming a gifted research hub, adopting a nature-technology fusion model, and enhancing personalized learning pathways.

Annie Slothower reflects on the process of stepping away from daily demands to focus on long-term goals, emphasizing how the work fostered diverse perspectives and reaffirmed Mackintosh's commitment to its mission. The discussion highlights the value of integrating futures planning into strategic initiatives, offering insights for educators on preparing for opportunities and challenges while staying true to their core purpose.

In this episode of Start with Questions, we dive into the long-standing partnership between The Mount Vernon School and Dewey Schools in Vietnam. Vũ Phương Nhi, Executive Director of English Programs at the Dewey Schools, and Trish Bogdanchik, Head of Upper School at The Mount Vernon School, share insights on their collaboration and recent visits. They discuss the shared mission of empowering students through innovative programs like the integrated curriculum and professional development workshops. Reflecting on the cultural exchange and professional growth during the visit, they highlight the importance of teacher collaboration, primarily through the impact of design thinking and differentiated learning for both students and faculty. The episode wraps up with future opportunities for deeper collaboration, including potential teacher exchanges.

In this episode of Start with Questions, we welcome Christian Long,  an expert in design thinking and education. The discussion centers around the importance of nurturing a sense of belonging and wholeness for both educators and students. Emphasizing the value of curiosity and empathy, and fostering strong relationships among colleagues, we learn how this creates a more supportive and effective educational environment.  

We ask the question, "How can these practices help retain faculty and improve the overall school experience by focusing on the well-being of adults as well as students?

In this episode of Start with Questions, hosted by Ann Marsh Rutledge, Executive Director of School Mount Vernon Ventures, we're joined by Michele Koch, the Chief Brand Officer at the Mount Vernon School. Together, we explore how brand and communication play a pivotal role in setting the tone for the school year. Sharing insights into the intentionality behind Mount Vernon School's branding, she emphasizes the importance of consistency and how it reflects the school's mission of inquiry, innovation, and impact. We discuss the concept of brand as a promise and the strategic process of creating a cohesive brand experience, from the first impression to fostering long-term advocacy. 

Whether you're a school leader or someone interested in organizational brand strategy, this episode offers valuable takeaways on how to align your branding efforts with your institution’s mission and goals.

Tune in to "Start with Questions," a transformational leadership podcast by Mount Vernon Ventures. In this episode, host Ann Marsh Rutledge welcomes two inspiring leaders: Denise Musselwhite, CEO and founder of Tech and Thrive and executive board chair for ATLIS, and Kristy Lundstrom, Head of School for the Mount Vernon School. Together, they delve into the question, How might we support personalized leadership development, especially for women in schools?