Considered one of the founding fathers of Project Based Learning, Thom Markham is an educator by trade, a positive psychologist by training, and a global entrepreneur dedicated to expanding educator mindsets in service to a positive future. For over 25 years, he has been focused on his life mission: To mobilize youth globally to become design thinkers, insightful citizens, and empathetic collaborators focused on the common good and sustainable development goals. He is the author of two books: Project Based Learning Design and Coaching Guide: Expert Tools for Innovation and Inquiry for K-12 Educators; and Redefining Smart: Awakening Students’ Power to Reimagine Their World.

In 2015, Thom founded PBL Global, a world-wide partner-based organization offering a transformative strengths-focused model of project based learning that fits the next 50 years of education by integrating PBL, well-being, design thinking, coaching and mentorship, intellectual challenge, personalization, and social entrepreneurship.