Learn About
Our story
The What, Why, Where, When, & Who
“We want students to own their learning; You don’t learn anything unless you decide to learn it.”
The What
The Bureau of Fearless ideas
is a non-profit learning organization where young people ages 6-18 are inspired by words and discover their creative voice.
The Why
We believe that words,
well written and well-spoken, can create opportunity, invite possibility and empower young people to be the authors of their own futures. When we share our stories and listen to others with genuine interest, we gain understanding, build empathy, and the world becomes a better place.
The Where
FEARLESS IDEAS HAS PLURAL BUREAUX
(try saying that three times fast). That “X” on the end of the word “Bureau” means we have more than one of them!
GREENWOOD BUREAU
8414 Greenwood Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 725-2625
Our first and largest location with more than 1800 square feet of space solely for educational programs and community events. Visitors enter through our storefront, the Greenwood Space travel Supply Co. (offices are in the very back).
YESLER TERRACE BUREAU
221 10th Ave. S. #174
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 712-2445
Our newest location (since 2017) is on the ground floor of Hoa Mai Gardens Building (enter off S. Washington St.) It has 1300 square feet of learning space for youth from community households and nearby schools.
Wherever our doors open,
inside is a space that belongs first and foremost to the students who fill it; different from school, different from home, it’s a place that’s theirs.
While the mission remains the same wherever we go, each surrounding community has its own unique stories and style. By being attuned to and engaging with the surrounding community, we make a space where families and community leaders are welcome, and students can feel fully supported.
Our Staff
Board of Directors
Matt Kingston (he/him)
Interim Executive Director
Reader, writer, and Fearless Ideas enthusiast, Matt is a former BFI Board member and volunteer with a background in marketing, banking, and coffee. A University of Washington graduate in both Business and English, Matt also received his MA in English and MFA in Creative Writing in fiction. He enjoys spaceships and planetary exploration.
matt@fearlessideas.org
Bryan Wilson (he/him)
Program Manager
Educator, illustrator, and writer, Bryan manages Fearless Ideas’ school-based programs (field trips and in-school projects) and youth writing workshops. He studied English and Geography at University of California at Berkeley and the University of Washington and enjoys frequent adventures into new books, recipes, and very tall forests.
bryan@fearlessideas.org
Matt Gano (he/him)
Program Manager
Matt is a poet, performer, lyricist, and teaching artist who manages Fearless Ideas’ Greenwood After School programs. He has two decades of teaching and writing experience across multiple organizations in the Pacific Northwest, including the Fremont Abbey Arts Center, Seattle Arts & Lectures: Writers in the Schools program, Skagit River Poetry Foundation, Hugo House, and so many others. He also studied creative writing at Westering Washington University and co-founded the Seattle Youth Poet Laureate program.
mattgano@fearlessideas.org
Grace Robinson (she/her)
Development Director
Grace manages fundraising, events, and giving programs to support the organization’s mission. With a background in development consulting and leadership, she prioritizes inclusivity and collaboration, working alongside a network of creatives, thinkers, and change-makers. A UW alumni, Grace combines her passions for sustainable building and art, infusing her work with rituals and mindfulness practices. She enjoys exploring the world through collecting found art and interesting objects, and brings that curiosity and creativity to her work at BFI.
grace@fearlessideas.org
Roberto Ascalon (he/him)
Program Manager
Roberto is a poet, writer, arts educator, spoken-word performance artist, and manager of Fearless Ideas’ programs at Yesler Terrace. He previously taught at Nova High School, participated in the Seattle Arts and Lectures Writers in the Schools program, and worked as a teaching artist and mentor for Arts Corps, Youth Speaks Seattle, and the Service Board.
roberto@fearlessideas.org
Michael Kroll
President
Microsoft researcher and customer advocate; former teacher, children’s magazine editor, copywriter, brand strategist, and creative director; singer, songwriter, and recording artist.
Rekha Bhatt
Vice President
Chief Program Officer for Washington State Charter Schools Association; advisory board member for Bellevue College’s Design Thinking Program; volunteer for Startup Weekend Seattle EDU; and former high school English teacher.
Brian Nash
Secretary
Product manager for Cruise, a self-driving ride service; formerly at Google, CloudBees, and Splunk; and part-time children’s author and illustrator.
Angie yang
Treasurer
Investment advisor at Goldman Sachs; former special education teacher and operations manager; and runner, skier, cook, and adventurer.
Pandora Andre-Beatty
Board Member
Reader, writer, and educator.
Jamie Campbell
Board Member
Avid reader, music listener, overly optimistic Mariners fan, and stay-at-home dad of a BFI student; formerly Software Engineering Manager at Microsoft and Tableau.
Sherri Gwizdala
Board Member
Director, local Fortune 50 company; longtime big sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound.
Sheryl Rothmuller
Board Member
Content strategist at Fred Hutch; host of house concerts; clarinet player in a concert band; and backyard hops and veggie gardener.
TERI Hein
Advisor • Founder
Author, nonprofit consultant, and flower farmer; founding Executive Director of 826 Seattle, subsequently the Greater Seattle Bureau of Fearless Ideas; Fearless Ideas volunteer mentor and workshop leader.