Brooke McKean

About Brooke McKean

I help turn ideas into reality, from design to launch. I specialize in architecting systems in chaos, ambiguity, and uncertainty by working across teams, organizations, and domains to translate vision into execution. I bring people along while the plan is still being written.I’ve designed organizational systems from scratch, helped an organization scale to $25M in annual revenue, led 350+ person teams across a dozen countries, built programs replicated globally and reaching people, and created a first-of-its-kind hybrid nonprofit/for-profit social enterprise model.I advise LEAP Innovations, Chicago Scholars, and REACH Pathways on systems-level design, strategy, and innovation. At REACH, I supported a $1.99M investment raise, growth to a $7M valuation, and national recognition, including SXSW Pitch Future of Work, Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas, and the Chicago Innovation Awards. At Chicago Scholars, I led culture transformation work recognized by Crain’s Best Places to Work.

Experience

1. Senior Advisor

   Leap Innovations

   Jan 2026 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   Co-leading a time-bound initiative focused on systems-level design across the youth-serving education ecosystem. The role centers on reducing fragmentation and strengthening pathways from pre-K through career. I work alongside partners including LEAP Innovations, Chicago Scholars, and others to help design more integrated routes to economic mobility for young people and their families, with a focus on vision setting, design, partnership development, and day-to-day coordination.

Education

• The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

  Master's degree, Development Management

  2007 — 2008

• Clark College

  Associate of Arts - AA

• University of Washington

  Bachelor's degree, International Studies and Economics

  2004 — 2007

Skills

• Community Development
• Program Management
• Management
• Program Development
• Policy Development
• Policy Analysis
• Performance Management
• Business Systems Implementation
• Operations Management
• Strategic Planning
• Team Facilitation
• Planning Budgeting & Forecasting
• Capacity Building
• Public Health
• Analytical Skills
• Business Process Mapping
• Leadership
• Strategic Planning for Growth
• Internal Communications
• Back Office Operations
• Coaching
• Research
• Emotional Intelligence
• International Relief & Development
• Team Management
• Security Management
• Non-Governmental Organizations (Ngos)
• Mission Oriented
• Project Management
• Strategic Policy Development
• Systems Analysis
• Nonprofit Organizations
• International Development
• Non-Profits
• Nonprofits
• Cross-Cultural Competence
• International Relations
• Ngos
• Human Rights
• Change Management