In this inspiring episode of The Active Listener Podcast, host Dominique Johnson-Lindsay sits down with Katie Kollasch, Chief Entrepreneur and Change Agent at the Venture Academy of Leadership and Entrepreneurship (VAIL) in Parker, Colorado. With over two decades in education and an international teaching background, Katie shares her remarkable journey from the UK to founding a groundbreaking high school model in the U.S.

Katie unpacks the vision behind VAIL and its mission to cultivate students with entrepreneurial mindsets, preparing them for both the world that exists today and the one we can’t yet predict. She dives into how the school fosters a culture rooted in curiosity, design thinking, and intentionality - leveraging community partnerships, design sprints, and real-world internships every Friday.

Discover how VAIL integrates technology, including Lightspeed classroom audio, to create inclusive, accessible, and engaging learning environments. Learn how they intentionally build soft skills like empathy and communication alongside academic excellence, and hear Katie’s candid reflections on parenting, leadership, and what it takes to disrupt the traditional education model.

Perfect for educators, school leaders, parents, and anyone passionate about the future of K–12 education, this episode offers a visionary look at what’s possible when we rethink how students learn and thrive.