SB

Scott Benson

I champion bold ideas and innovative entrepreneurs in education

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Invests in

Stages:

  • Min Investment:

    $100,000.00
  • Max Investment:

    $1,500,000.00
  • Target Investment:

    $500,000.00

Work Experience

  • Strategy & Operations

    2024

    Cambiar Education is a nonprofit venture design studio with a mission "to spark positive change by scaling bold ideas that massively accelerate student success for ALL."

  • Adjunct Instructor

    2021

    I designed and teach a graduate course titled "The Business of Education." In addition, I support and mentor graduate students enrolled in the UNC School of Education's MEITE program

2022 - 2024

  • Founder

    2022 - 2024

    I founded Trail B to support visionary leaders with bold ambitions to increase their impact. Over 2+ years, I supported 15 clients with a wide range of strategic and operational needs. I worked closely with the leadership teams and boards of these organizations to assess their current contexts, clarify their visions, develop sound strategies, and plan for implementation.

  • Strategic Advisor

    2021 - 2021

    Managed special projects / strategy / research for a national non-profit philanthropy that supports innovative educators in PreK-12 education, with a special focus on children in underserved communities

  • Managing Partner

    2015 - 2021

    Designed and led two grant portfolios - Innovative Public Schools and and Model Providers - that supported innovative educators with bold ideas to reimagine PreK-12 education

  • Senior Program Officer, Next Generation Learning

    2013 - 2015

    Developed and managed a diverse portfolio of investments in K-12 education focused on personalized learning.

  • Program Officer, Next Generation Learning

    2010 - 2013

  • Director of Strategic Academic Initiatives (Broad Resident)

    2008 - 2010

    Responsibilities included performance management, internal communication, and multiple district-wide strategic initiatives for the Office of the Chief Academic Officer. In addition, I was a member of the 6th cohort of the Broad Residency in Urban Education, two-year leadership development program that places participants into full-time managerial positions in school districts and charter management organizations.

2007 - 2007

  • MBA Intern, Digital Marketing and Strategy

    2007 - 2007

2007 - 2007

  • Marketing Manager Intern, Xbox Games

    2007 - 2007

2002 - 2006

  • Operations Business Analyst

    2004 - 2006

    National manager for the $20M window covering product category for a subsidiary B2B business (that later became HD Supply). Responsible for all facets of this business, including operations, marketing, and strategy.

  • Business Leadership Program

    2002 - 2004

    Rotational leadership program. Six-month rotations included positions in Corporate Strategy, Merchandising, Human Resources, and Store Management.