Consulting

We’re not expert:

  • Engineers. (We do love to build things, and we’re obsessed with w/electrifying 1 Billion Machines.
  • Policy experts. But we learn fast and we know how to teach and coach.
  • Grid managers. But we are investing in the largest used-electric car battery power plant and the largest micro-grid network in the country, and we’re obsessed making sure we’re eager to make sure it helps the local utility serve our community.

We are experts in:

If there’s a way we can help you lead more effectively through the monumental challenge of switching to renewable fuels and (mostly) electric machines. Here are a few ideas we’re prototyping.

I’m Matt.

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I’ve been lucky to work on some fun, challenging projects.

  • 1996 Atlanta Olympics - I was one of the first ten people on staff at the largest peace-time event in world history.
  • KIPP Foundation - I led the fastest wave of expansion at the largest charter school network in the US. My team was 37 for 38, launching schools on-time in 20 states in 3 years.
  • NYC Charter Schools - I helped build the first city-wide charter school incubator in the US; 19% of kids in NYC now attend one of 275 charter schools.
  • In 2006, I moved to New Orleans to serve as CEO at New Schools for New Orleans, now home to the nation’s most innovative, and far from perfect, system of schools.
  • That year I started building electric motorcycles as a scheme to justify buying cool tools.
  • In 2010, I launched an organization called 4.0 to help entrepreneurs explore new ways to help people learn.
    • It's still going strong with more than 1,500 diverse alumni serving more than 9 million learners across the US.
    • Handing off leadership to my successor took four years and taught me tons about power, identity and leadership. It heavily informs how I think about coaching founders today.
  • In 2019, I started investing in the electrification of vehicles, buildings and the grid, including B2U Storage Solutions, now operator of the largest second-life electric car battery power plant in the USA.
  • Last year, I helped start one of the largest micro-grid projects in the US, Together New Orleans’ Community Lighthouse, which brings solar and storage to 85 houses of faith and non-profits across the Parish. I also started coaching Techstars EnergyTech founders.

I’m lucky to have studied in some great communities, too.

  • MBA, Northwestern University/Kellogg: Decision Sciences, Education Mgmt
  • BA, Duke University: math, Spanish Language
  • TBD: Residential Electrician Certificate, Delgado Community College
  • Racial Equity Institute, Rocky Mountain School of Photography, Fuller Moto Welding Essentials, Center for Restorative Approaches, On Deck Climate Tech Fellowship

Leadership therapy/coaching/strategic toolkit

For 25 years, I’ve been curating tools on culture, learning and innovation — including links to the research they’re based on — in a compact toolkit that’s easy to use and navigate.

Lead with succession in mind.

  • 1 starting point - succession
  • 2 types of informal power
  • 3 duties of a board
  • 4 duties of a CEO
  • 5 types of decisions
  • 6 leadership styles

Experiment. Together.

  • Pretotyping
  • Lean Startup
  • Conflict resolution
  • Design Thinking
  • Exponential thinking
  • Integrative negotiations

Be human.

  • Invest in 20-yr version of people
  • Practice Self-compassion
  • Diverse teams do better
  • Be aware of cognitive bias
  • Read and Build a Second Brain
  • Electrify your personal stuff

Schedule an exploratory call.

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