About OFIWe inspire students with a sense of infinite possibilities, and empower them to shape their life and future with meaning and purposeOur Approach ~ We believe that education can more directly and formally support students with some of the most fundamental life questions, in order to help them define who they are, discover their purpose in life, and shape their role and contribution to society. That is why we created a semester-long high school curriculum and class course, a school-wide event, and a student ambassador program for lifelong questioners. Our structured approach directly engages young people with some of the most critical areas of life: the choices we face, the sense of purpose that guides us, the fearlessness it takes to pursue the things that matter to us, and the larger picture we are a part of.We recognize that there are no final answers to big questions. At the same time, when young people are given the opportunity to directly address some of life’s most essential questions, they can discover real answers that will help them define the choices they make and the direction their lives will take. We don’t ask leading questions and we don’t ask questions that don’t lead anywhere.We create safe spaces where students can explore the things that matter most, and connect their individual inspiration to others and society as a whole. We do this in peer groups and classroom settings where young people can learn from each other and see their autonomy and individuality in the context of an interconnected whole. We connect the younger and older generations – students and teachers, administrations and parents – through the shared human interest in these important life questions. We believe that creating this kind of space supports young people to be who they are. They naturally develop the qualities of openness, care and more expansive thinking that tomorrow’s leaders will need.We continue to engage in an ongoing co-creative process with students, educators and schools to find the best way to integrate big life questions into education.Open Future InstituteOFIID-a982d60a-261a-4665-bb38-2d7d91ea662fOpen Future Institute is a 501(c)3. All gifts to Open Future Institute are tax deductible.OFI Board of DirectorsOur Valuable Board of DirectorsGerard Senehi, M.Ed.President and Founder ~ Gerard is inspired by a sense of possibilities and the potential of bringing inner aspects of our humanity to the foreground in education.Francesca RuscianiCo-Founder & Executive Director ~ Francesca’s passion for big life questions started when she was a girl and has since developed into a lifelong journey of exploration, inquiry and commitment to social change.David AdlerDavid Adler is founder and CEO of BizBash Media, the trade media for professionals involved in the special events industry. His company publishes magazines and produces interactive media and events for the industry.Nazir AhmadNazir Ahmad is President of GivingWorks. He has provided strategic counsel to premier public service institutions including the World Bank, UNICEF, the Open Society Institute, and the National Commission on Energy Policy.Emily SchulmanEmily is a Partner at WilmerHale and has extensive experience representing companies, boards of directors and their committees, and individuals in internal investigations, criminal litigation, government enforcement actions, and federal and state grand jury investigations.Daniel StoneDaniel Stone is an organizational change consultant who has worked for forty years in non-profit, government, health care, education, and corporate sectors.Mumtaz KazimMumtaz Kazim is the President and QI Director for Edina Family Physicians. OFI Advisory BoardOur Valuable Advisory BoardDr. Dean OrnishFounder and President, Preventive Medicine Research Institute ~ Dean Ornish, M.D., is the founder and president of the non-profit Preventive Medicine Research Institute and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.Gary HattemDirector of Philanthropy, Deutsche Bank ~ Gary Hattem, Managing Director, heads the Community Development Finance Group and is responsible for overseeing Corporate Responsibility for the Americas.Dr. Joe DuffeyFormer President, American University, Former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities ~ Dr. Duffey has served as senior presidential appointee under three US presidents. Dr. Duffey also holds 14 honorary degrees from American colleges and universities.Kathleen MurphyFounder, Murphy Media Partners ~ Kathleen Murphy brings 16 years of on-camera and Executive Producing experience for national networks to her work with authors, athletes, executives, entrepreneurs and CEO’s.Peter GeorgescuChairman Emeritus, Young & Rubicam, Author of The Constant Choice ~ Peter Georgescu is Chairman Emeritus of Young & Rubicam Inc., a network of preeminent commercial communications companies dedicated to helping clients build their businesses through the power of brands.Ashok MahbubaniPresident and CEO of Multitronics VMI ~ Ashok Mahbubani is President and CEO of Multitronics VMI, as well as the founder of the EKTA foundation which focuses on Education, Water & Sanitation and Information & Communication Technology.Amrita MahbubaniCorporate CFO at Mtronics.com, Inc ~ Amrita Mahbubani is the Corporate CFO of Multitronics VMI, as well as co-founder of the EKTA foundation which focuses on Education, Water & Sanitation and Information & Communication Technology.Xiaoan LiSenior Program Officer, Fetzer Institute ~ Xiaoan Li, Ph.D. in higher education and organizational change, is a senior program officer at the Fetzer Institute, a private operating foundation in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Since 2011, Xiaoan has actively participated in the exploration of building the …OFI Youth Advisory CouncilThe Youth Advisory Council is a council of young alumni who support the QUESTion Project in its mission to catalyze a new subject field in education. Council members contribute by improving important, varied aspects of the program and advocate for its importance in media, at conferences, with philanthropists, business, and school leaders.The Youth Advisory Council is comprised of members who originally joined us to co-create the QUESTion Project when they were in high school. They helped us define the core pillars, design the curriculum, improve the lesson plans, and share this work with key stakeholders. Today, motivated by their continued care for this work, these former students have become our youth partners who help shape the future of the QUESTion Project and QUESTion Class as we expand to more students around the world.Celine RamirezSince taking the QUESTion Class I have learned to live life with more purpose. In each setting of my life I see where I can apply …Charlos DoThe QUESTion Class made me me realize the questions I needed to have put in place for myself to understand the next steps. It gives kids …Hector CruzThrough the QUESTion Project I learned to understand and work with others a lot better. It helped me learn how to take criticism constructively …Karla PerezThe QUESTion project’s pillars have followed me all throughout the beginnings of my adulthood and has enhanced my decision making skills …Katery CastelanThe QUESTion project has impacted my life after school because now, more than ever, I am facing reality. The reality of what it’s like being an adult …Justin MedinaMy ability to think rationally and freely about adult life has come from my understanding of the 5 pillars of the QUESTion Project. It has allowed me …Levi LambThe QUESTion Project has taught me to be level headed in my decision making and see that there is more to life than only focusing on …Marielis MunozThe major impact that the QUESTion Project has made in my life has been the ability to recognize and be more aware of what the world …Michael TorresThe QUESTion Project has taught me that all humans are in the same boat when it comes to answering the biggest questions that no one …Natalia InoaIn high school there is an illusion of simplicity, only worry about grades, go to the best college etc. However they forget to mention the …Shampa TasneenThe QUESTion Project has motivated me to continue college even though I had to go through some obstacles. My favorite pillar is fearlessness …Stephanie GarciaI think the question class presses the pause button a bit. Life can be stressful, and I think the class could be a safe space where students get to share their feelings … Tahj TarratsIt gave me a more positive outlook on life and gave me a fair sense of direction. The pillar of choice taught me that throughout any point in my life …Tyreik SkeltonPurpose has driven me to start seeing myself how I used to. To be Heard. Speaking up and saying my truth because some may need to …OFI TeamOur Valuable TeamGerard SenehiGerard SenehiFounder & PresidentGerard is inspired by a sense of possibilities and the potential of bringing inner aspects of our humanity to the foreground in education.Francesca RuscianiCo-Founder & Executive Director ~ Francesca’s passion for big life questions started when she was a girl and has since developed into a lifelong journey of exploration, inquiry and commitment to social change.Steve BallDeputy Executive Director ~ Steve joined Open Future Institute after spending over 20 years working in for-profit companies. Steve brings his business and management experience to the organization to help it grow in a sustainable way. In addition…Chandni TrivediDirector, Strategic Partnerships and Communications ~ Chandni joined the Open Future Institute in 2020 after working in the education and finance industry for the past decade. At Open Future Institute, Chandni leads the communication and partnership strategy.Colin WisemanSenior Teacher Trainer ~ Colin is a Teacher Trainer based in New York City. Colin was drawn to Open Future Institute’s mission to create spaces for students to explore their individual selves through an interconnected experience.Alex DraperTeacher Trainer ~ Alex is a Teacher Trainer based in New York City. Alex is a long-time champion for social-emotional learning in youth development settings, beginning his journey in programs in various YMCAs, and …Florence FabbricottiQUESTion Academy Program Manager ~ Florence joined the Open Future Institute in 2015. In the Netherlands, she has facilitated QUESTion Classes for students, and the QUESTion Academy curriculum for teachers in several schools.Natalia InoaOffice Assistant ~ Natalia’s journey working with The QUESTion Project started as a high school student taking the QUESTion class, being very active both in class and as a QUESTion Ambassador.Students create their future by asking big questions, expanding their minds and defining their purpose—together_2dc0237c-71b8-11ec-8f7e-856f0383ea00To inspire students with a sense of infinite possibilities, and empower them to shape their life and future with meaning and purpose_2dc0258e-71b8-11ec-8f7e-856f0383ea00ChoicePurposeFearlessnessInterconnectednessContextA Bigger PictureThe QUESTion ProjectHelp public high school students build the foundations for their lives, their future and a healthy society_2dc026f6-71b8-11ec-8f7e-856f0383ea00Public High School StudentsTeachersLearnersThe QUESTion Project supports public high school students to build the foundations for their lives, their future and a healthy society, through a semester long daily class, called the QUESTion Class. We train teachers to teach our evidence-based curriculum which allows learners to bring out the depth of who they are and collectively explore and grow in important areas of their lives. The QUESTion Class creates a space where students can explore and develop their own identity, strengthen their sense of agency, and build confidence to pursue a life of purpose. Through a coherent, structured process, young people are inspiring each other to take responsibility for their future – and how they might contribute to their world.ChoiceDevelop an appreciation for the potential inherent in the capacity to choose._2dc028cc-71b8-11ec-8f7e-856f0383ea001Students develop a deep appreciation for the potential inherent in their capacity to choose. Never before have young people have been exposed to so many options. Many can feel overwhelmed by the choices they have and the responsibility to define their own lives. Exploring choice in their own experience opens a sense of possibilities, and gives them the confidence to deal with the challenges that confront them. It empowers and inspires them with a positive responsibility to forge their own lives and future.PurposeReflect on a sense of purpose in life._2dc02a02-71b8-11ec-8f7e-856f0383ea002Students reflect on their sense of purpose in life. There are many ways to live a life of purpose. By identifying the things they find most important, they connect inspiration with action and develop confidence in making life decisions based on their own sense of direction. They are challenged to think about how they can connect what inspires them to what contributes to society.FearlessnessPursue and stay true to personal convictions._2dc02b38-71b8-11ec-8f7e-856f0383ea003Students gain strength in pursuing and staying true to their deepest convictions. When students have an opportunity to speak openly with their peers about the decisions, actions, and social pressure that overwhelm or intimidate them the most, they discover that fear is not as unique and isolating an experience as they had thought. The power of those fears diminishes and the impossible becomes possible.InterconnectednessDevelop understanding and appreciation for the perspectives of others._2dc05874-71b8-11ec-8f7e-856f0383ea004By exploring the fact that we are autonomous individuals as well as part of a larger whole, students develop an understanding and appreciation for the different perspectives of others. They are able to put their personal biases aside to work together for a greater purpose. Students see through fixed ideas and develop deeper empathy, compassion and care for others and the common good.ContextDevelop the ability to see our lives, the future and the challenges we face from a big picture._2dc059e6-71b8-11ec-8f7e-856f0383ea005A Bigger Picture ~ Students develop the ability to see their lives, the future and the challenges they face, from a big picture. They become aware of the bigger context they are a part of, and realize the significance of their lives in a larger framework. They learn to expand their perspective beyond their immediate circumstances and bring more complex and creative thinking to their roles as world citizens.2022-01-09https://openfutureinstitute.org/about-us/OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.netOwenAmburOwen.Ambu@verizon.net