Kristina Scala founded Aspen Academy, an independent and nationally acclaimed Pre-K through 8th Grade school of innovation focused on academic rigor, character and leadership development as well as community strength and service, in 2005 and is currently the President and Head of School.
In 2008, she founded Bear’s Student Enterprises, an 8th grade program in which students own and operate all ancillary businesses on campus including the store, the café and the vending services. These 13- and 14-year-old students are coached by successful business men and women in their director and managerial roles and are personally mentored by entrepreneurs as they establish their personal mission, vision and value statements, and establish their goals.
In 2012, she founded the Aspen Youth Leadership Institute and is currently the Executive Director of this organization. The Aspen Youth Leadership Institute has developed a comprehensive and sequenced leadership curriculum and program designed to help re-establish a culture of effective personal and community leadership in America’s youth. It offers daily leadership classes that focus on the development of concepts and skills like personal effectiveness, intra and interpersonal awareness, character, leadership, financial literacy, and entrepreneurs.