Kathryn F. Markovchick received her Ph.D. from the University of Buffalo with a concentration in Inner City Education and Learning and Behavior Disorders. She has worked as a special education teacher, administrator, faculty member and is the president/founder of two non-profits.

As founding President/CEO of the Forman S. Acton Educational Foundation, she is working with the Board and staff to provide educational opportunities for youth living in or attending school in Salem City NJ, USA. This is being accomplished through the provision of financial assistance and motivational support designed to remove barriers creating pathways for students to advance their education, achieve career success, and become global leaders. She started the 33 million dollar foundation at the request of Dr. Acton who was concerned that many of Salem’s brightest students were not considering a college education because they simply didn’t have the same resources that had helped him become successful.

From 1988-2016 she lead Syntiro, a non-profit based in Maine, USA. Under Kathryn's leadership, Syntiro led global initiatives that included personalized technical assistance and innovative professional-learning opportunities designed to enhance organizational and individual capacity. As President, her work specialized in organizational development, meeting facilitation, strategic planning, promoting active engagement in learning, and cooperative learning. Additionally, she was Director of Maine State GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs). The goal of GEAR UP is to increase the number of students from families with low incomes who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary-education programs while focusing on college preparation and access for underrepresented students and families.

Kathryn brings a passion for developing communities of learners using Celebratory Learning techniques to enhance work and play.