Patrick O'Donnell in

Patrick O'Donnell

Collaborator · DISC type si
CEO at Making Waves Education Foundation
📍 San Francisco Bay Area, United States

Patrick ODonnell is the CEO of Making Waves Education Foundation, dedicated to helping underserved students achieve their college, career, and life goals. With a background in teaching and extensive leadership experience at Teach For America, he focuses on creating pathways to economic mobility. He earned an MBA and MPP from Georgetown University.

Patrick is passionate about listening to and learning from Gen Z to reshape education and employment systems that currently fall short. He values empathy, vision, and creativity in students and believes in tackling systemic injustices within the education system to create opportunities for all students to thrive.

He is focused on evolving the traditional "college for all" model, recognizing it can be insufficient for ensuring economic mobility in todays landscape.

Read the full overview →
Experience
19 Years
Current Role
CEO
Job Level
Leadership
Location
San Francisco Bay Area, United States
Personality Overview

How Patrick shows up

Good Listener
Consensus Builder
Appreciative

They are more likely to go for proven solutions. Unlike D or C types, they are calm as well as friendly and can give the impression of being more receptive than they actually are. Win-win scenarios can appeal strongly to them.

Priorities

Topics Patrick cares about

Economic Mobility
A core focus of his work, he believes a college degree alone doesn't guarantee economic mobility and is building new pathways to high-wage careers.
Career Pathways
He is developing programs, like "Hands on Health, " that bridge the gap between high school, college, and career with real-world work experience.
+6 more topics Login to view topics
Career

Work history

7-2019
CEO
Making Waves Education Foundation
2-2024
Fellow
Pahara Institute
7-2017 - 6-2019
American School Foundation of Guadalajara
ASFG
2013 - 2017
Vice President, National Development
Teach For America
2010 - 2013
Executive Director, Teach For America - Indianapolis
Teach For America
In the press

Media appearances

Making Waves Foundation Appoints Patrick O'Donnell as CEO. Featured in Making Waves Education Foundation (official website)
See now
Patrick O'Donnell – Team and Board Member. Featured in Making Waves Education Foundation
+3 more appearances Login to view media
Education
2007 - 2010
MBA/MPP
Georgetown University McDonough School of Business
2003 - 2005
MA
Loyola Marymount University
1999 - 2003
BA
Boston College
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

s

Steadiness (S)

Steadiness (S) reflects the degree to which a person is likely to focus on cooperation, support and taking everyone along. Those scoring high tend to be consistent and calm.

Other Making Waves Education Foundation Employees

Explore more public profiles from related professionals.

More profiles

Discover additional public profiles from our index.

Unlock the full playbookSee exactly how to sell to Patrick. Free, 10 seconds.