Empowering Youth Through Chess with Jenny Ingber
About the Episode
In this episode, Ashley sits down with Jenny Ingber, President and CEO of Chess in the Schools, to discuss her career transition from science education to nonprofit leadership, the organization’s mission to uplift low-income youth through chess, and the broader challenges of running a nonprofit. They explore how chess serves as a powerful tool for youth development and education.
Key Takeways
From Science to Strategy – Jenny leveraged her expertise in curriculum development and operations to lead Chess in the Schools, bringing innovative approaches to nonprofit leadership.
Navigating Nonprofit Challenges – Competition for funding, staff retention, and proving long-term impact are ongoing hurdles in the nonprofit sector.
Making Chess Accessible – The organization reaches 6000 students through in-school programs and over 3000 through digital school programs using digital platforms like ChessKid.
Tournaments & Teacher Training – Chess in the Schools hosts 22-25 free tournaments each year, drawing up to 600 students per event, and trains over 100 teachers to integrate chess into their classrooms.
Chess & Life Skills – Chess fosters executive function skills like time management, strategic thinking, and problem-solving, which benefit students beyond the board.
Serving Title I Schools – 83-84% of the students Chess in the Schools serves come from Title I schools, where extracurricular opportunities are often scarce.
Leadership Lessons – Jenny highlights the importance of mentorship, patience, and active listening, encouraging young leaders to learn from others while forging their own paths.
Unleashing Your Inner Queen – True leadership is about supporting others, recognizing potential, and fostering collective success.
Jenny’s Favorite Chess Piece? The knight—symbolizing life’s unpredictable paths and the ability to navigate obstacles, reflecting her leadership philosophy.
