The Possible Zone
Students find their passions and develop entrepreneurial spirit, skills, and networks within The Possible Zone’s exciting, tuition-free, experiential learning program that helps prepare them for life-long learning and readiness for careers of the future. Hundreds of high school students from Boston Public Schools, and a cohort of young adult associates, thrive as they explore changing technologies in our state-of-the-art Innovation Center and develop valuable social and emotional skills in our supportive programming. Reinforced by a network of educational and industry partners in our supportive ecosystem, and guided by our college and career pathways team, young people leave The Possible Zone (TPZ) equipped to shape their futures and pursue innovative careers that are evolving in Industry 4.0, so they may ultimately experience upward economic mobility.
Throughout TPZ’s hands-on Entrepreneurship program, teens learn about the factors that contribute to building a strong entrepreneurial spirit. They learn design thinking and implement universal design principles to create low-fidelity prototypes connected to a product or service they seek to develop. They test business models, and over the course of three terms, network with professional entrepreneurs, and have the opportunity to experience on-the-job skill-building through internships and relationships with local businesses.
Concurrently, students have the opportunity to explore STEAM-focused electives—learning about robotics and AI, graphic design, 3D printing, laser cutting, coding, and more. And throughout their TPZ journey, all young people receive support to promote their well-being—from daily stipends and meals to enrichment experiences and family resources. Additionally, TPZ’s high school students and a cohort of young adult associates explore a complementary pathway to higher education, and learn product management, digital marketing, and e-commerce through our TPZ Ventures program to cultivate STEAM knowledge, self-efficacy, and social capital.
Mission: To advance economic equity by ensuring young people develop the entrepreneurial spirit, skills, and networks to launch successful careers.
Vision: A world where young people shape their own futures.
To learn more, please visit the TPZ website or watch the following videos highlighting some of TPZ’s programs:
- Video: TPZ: Young People Shaping Their Futures
- Video: Venture Fellows Art & Fashion Show 2023
- Link to PDF: TPZ's Theory of Change
About TPZ’s Board & the Opportunity
TPZ currently has a dedicated group of nine directors, comprised of leaders from the private, public, and education sectors based in the Boston area. Growing the Board of Directors is a key element of TPZ’s strategic vision for growth and expanded impact.
For a list and biographies of TPZ’s current Directors, please visit this page.
TPZ is now seeking to add exceptional, mission-driven leaders to the board who will complement and broaden the skills, experiences, and expertise currently reflected, and who are prepared to advise on governance, strategy, capacity building, and other priorities.
The opportunity to join TPZ’s Board of Directors is a chance to help shape and grow one of the fastest-emerging models for accelerating social and economic mobility in partnership with traditionally and continually under-served and under-estimated young people.
The proven civic and entrepreneurial leaders who will be the next directors of TPZ will represent the breadth of lived experience and the resilience and courage demonstrated by the youth TPZ works with every day. Serving together as a board community, TPZ seeks to connect and combine the powerful forces of empowerment, equity, innovation, entrepreneurship, opportunity, and urgency.
Candidate Profile
Board candidates will be enthused at the opportunity to help lead a high-growth, high-impact organization with an ambitious vision, deeply committed to understanding the needs of youth, particularly those who are from under-resourced communities and face equity barriers to success. Members will be expected to actively lead, as well as contribute to key growth initiatives and assist in identifying other key allies, partners, or donor prospects who are eager to join the effort.
Strong candidates will bring a diverse range of professional and lived experiences, ideally combining work in the private, public, philanthropic, and/or nonprofit sectors, and bringing a unique and relevant perspective and lens to TPZ.
Above all, candidates will bring a deep passion for mission-driven work, demonstrated through successful careers of work and/or volunteer experiences promoting equity and justice, or through their lived experience, representing the students and communities that TPZ serves.
TPZ seeks candidates with a combination of the following competencies and experiences:
Community and/or Nonprofit Leadership
- A successful leader in the nonprofit space who ideally brings demonstrated success scaling an organization within youth development or related fields such as workforce development or education.
- Holds a leadership role within the nonprofit sector and larger Boston community, with the ability to impact TPZ’s growing ecosystem model.
- A well-respected and influential politician or leader within the public sector, who has demonstrated success navigating the local, state, and/or national political landscape.
- Brings a strong network and reputation within the broader Boston community that can be leveraged.
Mission Alignment: Education for Social & Economic Equity
- Deeply committed to the future of the organization and understands the needs of youth, particularly those who are from under-resourced communities and face equity barriers to success.
- Has an appreciation for and understanding of TPZs unique approach – ideally demonstrated through experience leading innovative approaches supporting tech education and non-traditional school settings.
- Brings knowledge of education innovation and/or evaluation and learning in the context of local, state, and national policy change.
- Has a strong network and reputation within the education community; particularly with those who have built next-generation education platforms across the country.
Entrepreneurship & Scaling Expertise
- Entrepreneurs with a strong network and reputation within the entrepreneurial community, who have built and scaled nationally or locally recognized organizations.
- Has a track record of bringing and scaling innovative approaches to student educational, experiential, and project-based experiences and models.
- Can provide volunteers, internships, and apprenticeship opportunities, diversifying the industries represented for TPZ students either directly or through their network.
- Through personal or professional connections, able to provide inroads into corporations seeking competency-based hiring.
Fundraising & Relationship Building
- Demonstrates an interest in establishing and cultivating strategic external relationships that will benefit TPZ, serving as an advocate, connector, fundraiser, and trusted spokesperson on behalf of TPZ.
- Brings a strong foundation and experience in nonprofit fundraising from a variety of private and public sources.
- Demonstrates fundraising capabilities through personal and professional networks and individual means. They will enthusiastically articulate TPZ’s goals to existing and potential donors, including individuals, foundation partners, and corporations.
- Capable of developing a powerful sense of shared purpose in others and influencing them to engage in the work of the organization.
Specific responsibilities for board members include:
- Prioritize TPZ within their top three civic and philanthropic activities.
- Understand the key elements of TPZ’s model, and represent the organization internally and externally, including willingness to share and promote TPZ’s work through members’ networks.
- Advise the organization to make fiscally sound decisions in support of advancing economic equity for TPZ students.
- Serve as a mentor/ambassador to TPZ students by taking advantage of opportunities to engage with TPZ’s programming.
- Actively Support the annual $25,000 get-or-give requirement, raising funds for TPZ, both through personal support and by serving as an ambassador for TPZ, leveraging networks, connections, and relationships on behalf of the organization and participating in a range of fundraising events and activities.
- Effectively work with, engage, and leverage TPZ’s advisory board, an engaged and diverse group of professionals representing a range of expertise areas.
- Serve on at least one committee: Finance/Development, Organizational Development, Governance, or Strategy.
- Actively recruit, orient, and onboard new board members.
- Adhere to and uphold the TPZ handbook, conflict of interest, and confidentiality policies.
- Oversee TPZ’s compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Meetings and Term Expectations:
- Quarterly Board Meetings (4x per year/~4 hours per meeting), in-person and virtual
- Board/Staff Retreats (1-2x per year/~4 hours)
- Bi-monthly Committee Meetings (6-8 per year/~1.5 hours per meeting)
- Term: 3 Years with opportunity for renewal