Mark Smith
Summits Education invests in teachers, students and educational infrastructure to transform the world’s most vulnerable communities.
We support a network of 40 primary schools in the remote highlands of Haiti’s rugged Central Plateau, a region distinguished by the lowest literacy rate in the Western Hemisphere.
We believe that education is a human right and aim to transform the region’s education system by providing the highest quality education, based on the most current best practices to communities who have traditionally had little to no access to any education.
Tell us about yourself?
I guess you could say my professional background is based pretty squarely in the tech industry. I’ve founded and co-founded several internet companies including Kayak, Lola and most recently, Moonbeam. But, I feel just as deeply aligned and committed to my philanthropic work.
I was heavily influenced and inspired by my friend, Tom White, who made many millions of dollars in his career, but gave it all away helping the poor.
He encouraged me to travel to Haiti, where I saw the astonishing impact an organization like Partners in Health was making in the field of healthcare and I met the dedicated educators who were teaching kids in the poorest and remotest parts of the country.
I resolved to support that work in the same spirit that Tom was supporting PIH. I’m proud to say, after eight years since our founding, Summits Education is thriving, growing and having a profound influence on Haiti’s education system.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
The Covid pandemic has been the biggest impact for most of us in the last two years. My advice would be to focus on maintaining my health!
What problem does your business solve?
Summits Education is quite simply aimed at solving the problem of a failing education system in Haiti. Right now, the majority of Haitians lack access to quality education.
The average 25 year old Haitian has less than five years of schooling. Only 61 percent of the population is literate. Worse still, almost 80 percent of the teachers have not had any training.
We are trying to address these shocking statistics, by providing professional development to our teachers, and access to high quality education to the children of Haiti.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
As I said earlier, Tom White was a great inspiration to me and the way in which I dedicate myself to the organizations I support, but I am also driven by a belief in the transformative power of education.
I have watched our schools completely change the trajectory of the lives of students and their communities, and I expect, one day, the country of Haiti.
What is your magic sauce?
Honestly, I think the trick is to believe in the leaders you are supporting and then let them do their best work. I generally support non-profits with unrestricted gifts because I trust that the organizations know best how to invest the funds to advance a mission that is important to us both.
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
At Summits, we are focusing on a few key program priorities that include a curriculum that supports gender equity and girls’ empowerment, expanding our science programming and creating a new curriculum designed to promote civic responsibility.
I am most excited though about a just launched capital campaign aimed at revitalizing and rebuilding all of our 40 schools so that they are all built to better withstand natural disasters and have the kinds of facilities and resources we would all want for our kids.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
Haiti is one of my favorite places in the world, but it can be a challenge orienting new people to this country and its people. The most important work we are focused on right now is bringing new friends (and funders) into this critical work.
How do people get involved/buy into your vision?
When you can, travel to Haiti and meet the remarkable team at Summits Education. I promise you will be moved, inspired and forever changed. Until then, visit our website, sign up for our newsletter, and reach out to me or our Boston-based team to find out more about the ways you can become involved.
