Our Vision
Our vision is a future where young people are exposed early to entrepreneurship and equipped to create opportunities, drive innovation, and contribute to lasting economic growth. We envision a future where every student graduates with clarity about their career path, practical skills they can apply immediately, and the confidence to pursue their goals.
Our Mission
Our mission is to build a strong pipeline of future entrepreneurs by providing hands-on entrepreneurial education, mentorship, and early access to resources that empower youth and young adults to succeed.
OUR
Equity in education
Practical learning
Ethical entrepreneurship
Student-centered growth
A Purpose-Driven Approach
We are guided by the belief that a structured approach is required to build the future intentionally:
Practical Entrepreneurship Education
We deliver practical entrepreneurship education through structured programming that teaches youth and young adults ages 15–24 how to develop, launch, and operate a business. We place a strong focus on financial literacy, business planning, marketing, and innovation.
Mentorship and Coaching
We pair participants with mentors who reflect their lived experiences and can offer culturally responsive coaching and business guidance. Our mentors facilitate peer learning, guest speaker sessions, and real-world exposure to entrepreneurship.
Hands-On Learning and Capital Access
We integrate experiential components, such as business simulations, capstone projects or pitch competitions. Furthermore, we provide seed capital to capital providers for promising youth-led ventures.
Partnership Development
We strengthen partnerships with local schools, businesses, universities, and community organizations to enrich programming and extend our reach.
EVALUATION & SUCCESS METRICS
We track program outcomes to utilize data to enhance programming and demonstrate the long-term impact on participants. We measure our success through:
- Number of youth who launch or expand a business
- Skills gained in core business areas
- Confidence and leadership development
- Post-program engagement in entrepreneurial activities
- Financial literacy gains and budgeting proficiency
Meet The Team
At High School to the Pros, our team of dedicated educators, industry veterans, and entrepreneurs is on a mission to level the playing field. We believe talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not.
Emil Ekiyor: A Journey of Impact and Transformation
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Emil’s life changed dramatically at age 15 when he left his large family—including seven sisters and two brothers—to pursue educational opportunities in Daytona Beach, Florida. This pivotal transition taught him invaluable lessons about adaptation, perseverance, and the power of opportunity that continue to inform his work today.
Emil’s exceptional athletic abilities earned him a full scholarship to the University of Central Florida, where he distinguished himself not just as an athlete but as a leader, serving as team captain of the football team. His talents propelled him to a six-year career in the National Football League, where he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, and Oakland Raiders.
However, Emil’s most significant impact began when he transitioned from professional sports to social entrepreneurship. Drawing on the discipline, strategic thinking, and leadership skills honed during his athletic career, Emil founded InnoPower, a Social Enterprise dedicated to accelerating growth in Black communities in Indiana and Sub-Saharan Africa through entrepreneurship, talent development, and social impact initiatives.
His innovative approach to community empowerment includes launching the groundbreaking Indy Biz Pass, a digital ecosystem connecting minority business owners with essential resources, and founding Advancing Equity Through Tech to address critical talent gaps in the technology sector.
Emil’s lived experiences—crossing continents, navigating cultural transitions, and excelling in multiple fields—have shaped his unique perspective on identifying opportunities and creating access for invisible talent globally. His work bridges continents, communities, and sectors, creating pathways to success for underrepresented entrepreneurs and professionals.
His extraordinary contributions have earned him recognition as one of Indiana’s 250 Most Influential Leaders for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024. He is also the recipient of the 2023 Indiana Civil Rights Commission Governor’s Reception Award for Achievements in Education and the 2024 Indianapolis Office of Minority and Women Business Development Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Impact Award.
Beyond these accolades, Emil is known as an unsung hero who has devoted himself tirelessly to the advancement of all Hoosiers, working across boundaries to create a more inclusive, innovative, and prosperous future.
Andrea Ekiyor is a seasoned community development leader with over 15 years of experience spanning federal, state, and local government. She has led and supported initiatives that strengthen communities, foster cross-sector partnerships, and deliver measurable outcomes for underserved populations.
Her expertise includes program design, stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and regulatory compliance skills she has consistently applied to implement effective, equity-driven solutions. Andrea is known for translating complex challenges into strategic, place-based initiatives that create lasting impact.
As a Director at High School to the Pros, she contributes to advancing the organization’s mission of equipping students with the tools, exposure, and support needed to successfully transition from high school to professional pathways. Her leadership helps ensure that programs are both impactful and accessible to the communities that need them most.
Andrea is also the author of The Other Side of the Whistle: What Moms Need to Know, a guided reflection for mothers of student-athletes. She is the founder of TravelNPurpose.com, a platform that promotes intentional travel and global engagement.
Her work is grounded in a commitment to equity, opportunity, and building stronger pathways for the next generation.
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