Virginia Emmons McNaught

Co-Founder, President and Chief Business Development Officer

Virginia Emmons McNaught - is a serial education entrepreneur, and is co-founder of Educate Tomorrow, the Kabey Fo School, Boarding House and Health Clinic, the SEED School of Miami, Field Academy at Educate Tomorrow and the Field Workshop at Educate Tomorrow, among others. After serving as the founding CEO of Educate Tomorrow from 2003 to 2010, she continues as President and Chief Business Development Officer forging the path forward for innovation in education and partnerships, especially for persons with non-traditional experiences and those furthest from opportunity. She also is charged with leading Educate Tomorrow's daily operations, Human Resources and culture. Beginning her career in Niger, West Africa (2000-2003) as a Peace Corps Volunteer and then as an elementary school educator at the US Embassy, Virginia drew on her experience of growing up in her families' construction business to start Educate Tomorrow and subsequently build opportunity for others.  Virginia has received multiple awards for her work in education, most notably from: the Red Cross, the National Underground Freedom Center, the Junior League, Florida International University, the Peace Corps and is featured in local and national publications and the book America's Way to Change.  Virginia was recognized by both President Bush and Obama as developing a national program with promise and has spoken at multiple White House events.  

Raised as the youngest of eight from humble beginnings in Greendale, Wisconsin, one of Virginia's goals is to travel to as many countries as she has been on the planet and she is currently on target.  She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville where she was student body President and on the varsity soccer team. She is a graduate of the University of Miami with a Master's in Education, specializing in Community & Social Change.  Virginia met her husband Brett McNaught in the Peace Corps in Niger, West Africa in 2001, married in 2008 and since 2012 they have been co-creating at Educate Tomorrow with their two awesome children, Emma and Miles.