About us
Founder’s letter
In our time as NOLA educators over the last ten years, we witnessed too many of our alumni become saddled with debt instead of equipped with a degree. As stakeholders, we struggled to stay informed about the countless alternative opportunities in our own backyard.
The ecosystem was complicated and learners paid the price.
So we, and about 100 other New Orleanians ages 17 and up, researched the question: "How do we use technology to create connection and clarity where there is confusion and untapped opportunity?"
Using human-centered design thinking and behavior intervention design processes, WhereWeGo was launched in April of 2020 to connect learners with rewarding career education programs. Since then, 8,000 New Orleanians, 101 programs, and countless community stakeholders have found connection.
Now, we're hooked on cracking the code behind complicated ecosystems of information (probably because we're environmental science teachers at heart).
We believe platforms with great design create access and optimism where there was once anxiety and missed opportunities. We believe equitable access to resources is critical for the strength of our community, our economy, and our future and we seek to build meaningful services that endure through change.
From ideation to adoption, invite our team to your problem and we'll promise to put our teacher-turned-techie and design thinking hats on.
Let's get started!
Leah Lykins & Ben Ifshin, co-founders.
Our vibe
Person-First
We begin with human-centered design thinking and behavior intervention principles to uncover our stakeholders’ needs.
Rigorous
We seek relationships, resources, and conflict so tough problems gain clear and thorough solutions.
Caring
We keep our promises, show compassion, and demonstrate accountability because it’s the caring thing to do.
Outcomes Centered
Whether they’re hard truths or great results, key metrics take center stage in all phases of our work.
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Nina manages all things code for WhereWeGo. Previous to being a web developer, she worked as a math teacher in New Orleans for five years. Her work at WhereWeGo has allowed her to transition her passion for helping students demystify math into creating tech solutions to help everyone demystify educational opportunities and resources. Born and raised on the Westbank of New Orleans, she recently moved to Brooklyn for a new adventure and works remotely. In her free time, you can find her eating at just a few of the thousands of restaurants in NYC and trying not to fall off her skateboard.
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Leah manages partnerships, communications, and operations for WhereWeGo. Leah has worn a few education hats in her last 11 years in NOLA public education: teacher, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Network Science Lead, Director of Teaching and Learning, curriculum specialist, leadership consultant, and so on. Her passion is bringing connectivity and resilience to complicated resource ecosystems. Her favorite NOLA activity is strolling along the levee in Holy Cross. You can watch Leah’s Teacher Feature Award Video here to see how wonderfully nerdy her students became about outcomes.
Our team is all teachers turned techies.
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Ben manages product development and strategy for WhereWeGo. During his time as an educator, Ben lead his Biology students to the highest scores in the city by placing learner joy center stage. Motivated by leveling the playing field for students and families, Ben transitioned into digital marketing and product management for educational institutions. His favorite NOLA activity is overeating at Marjie’s, his favorite restaurant. You can watch Ben’s Teacher Feature Award Video here to see him as an educator in action.
our affiliates // design & UI/UX
WhereWeGo works with a strong network of excellent designers to ensure your projects will always have engaging user experiences, user interfaces, branding, and artistry. These include:
