Nancy Conrad, founder and chairman of the Conrad Foundation, today announced two new positions have been created to increase the Foundation’s ability to fundamentally shift the way science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are taught in schools around the globe through its project-based educational challenges.

Carrie Taylor joined the organization as its new education and outreach director. She brings 12 years of experience and a passion for education to her position.       Taylor will develop and maintain collaborative relationships with education, business, government, non-profit and for-profit entities to further the Foundation and its incentivized learning programs. She will also ensure the focus of the Foundation’s outreach activities and programs align with its mission to combine STEM with innovation and entrepreneurship. In addition, Taylor will develop and implement target marketing strategies to increase Foundation visibility, spearhead the creation of youth initiatives, and develop education content and curriculum for the Foundation’s various programs.

“Carrie has spent the majority of her career immersed in the education industry and has a keen understanding of how it operates,” Conrad said. “She is the perfect person to help us scale our programs for global reach to motivate the global Innovation Generation.”

Prior to joining the Conrad Foundation, she spent nearly five years as a senior account executive at Griffin Communications Group, where she rejuvenated the marketing communications and advertising activities for the University of Houston-Clear Lake to increase enrollment and improve brand awareness. Other career highlights include working as public information coordinator for Clear Creek Independent School District, the 29th largest district in the state of Texas, and as a communications specialist at The University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston.

Brett Griffin joined the Conrad Foundation as its program coordinator. He provides detailed tactical implementation to support programs including the Spirit of Innovation Challenge, DreamUp, and other new initiatives as needed. He also provides support for day-to-day operations of the Foundation. Prior to joining the organization, Griffin served as a junior account executive at Griffin Communications Group.

Griffin is currently a senior at the University of Houston. He also serves as the program director for Camp La Junta, a Texas summer camp for boys.