At just 8 years old, a powerful force opened up Stuart’s world. He was celebrated for thinking outside the box, encouraged to be creative, appreciated for the unconventional way he solved problems. This force helped develop Stuart’s heart and intellect and changed the very course of his life. That force was the love and care of one, exceptional teacher.
That teacher ignited a passion in Stuart, setting his life on a course of entrepreneurship. Stuart was—what he calls—a “lemonade-stand kid,” always finding creative ways to save money. As a grade schooler, he made a business selling Pop Rocks to his classmates on the playground. Later, as a student at UC Berkeley, Stuart saw that college students needed better access to money, so he joined a group of students who started one of the country’s first student-run credit unions. Stuart ran the credit union while carrying a full load of college courses. Decades later, the Cal Berkeley Federal Credit Union still exists under another name, having expanded its model—of non-profit banks run by and for students—to other colleges and continuing to serve students across the country.
After graduating, Stuart’s enthusiasm for business and banking led him to be taught by the greats in the industry. Through his experiences growing midsize companies and starting his own enterprises, he continued to paint outside the lines—just like his 3rd grade teacher had taught him. He developed strong roots in global strategy –consulting and gained extensive experience leading high-growth organizations to meet and exceed their financial goals.
As Stuart’s career unfolded, he continued to work to empower others. His continued gratitude for his education growing up inspired him to find ways to support and sustain leaders of outside-the-box learning. Stuart’s belief has always been that every child should have a nurturing school environment that unlocks their potential—so in 2006, Charter School Capital was born.
As CSC’s founder and CEO, Stuart applies his heart to solving complex problems by addressing and transforming the unique financial challenges faced by charter schools. Today, Stuart is honored that CSC has deployed ~ $3 billion in funding on behalf of over 900 charter schools, supporting 2 million students across the country. With each dollar invested, CSC nurtures schools that are home to innovative leaders and educators—with the united purpose of helping students grow and thrive.
Stuart lives in Portland, Oregon, and is a father to 3 daughters. He recently adopted his first dog and loves skiing in the nearby mountains. He actively supports local Portland schools and educational programs dedicated to supporting underserved student populations.