Why we're here
From “I don’t know how”
to “let’s do this.”
AI can be a collaborator and thought partner: someone to work through an idea with, ask questions of, and help turn a possibility into something real. We see extraordinary possibilities ahead in science, medicine, health and personal autonomy.
Access shouldn't depend on your education, your network, or whether you can afford an expensive course. Big Lever Institute helps more people have a fair chance at the opportunities AI is creating—for themselves, their organizations and their communities.
That's why our programming is always free. Try a lesson, tell us what helps, and share what you want to learn next. Your voice helps shape the Institute.
Chris founded Big Lever Institute to make practical AI education accessible to more people. He is the Institute's founder and chair, and the managing director of Big Lever Ventures.
A technology executive, venture-studio founder and educator, Chris has taught entrepreneurship at Drexel University's LeBow College of Business and mentored founders through Techstars and the Edmund Hillary Fellowship.
Our board
Experience across disciplines.
Our board brings perspectives from education, entrepreneurship, technology, cybersecurity and social impact.
Phil Ives
Technology & engineering leadership
Phil is Senior Director of Software Engineering at Marriott International. His experience spans venture-backed startups and global companies, leading technical teams and work in cloud platforms, machine learning and digital transformation.
LinkedIn profile ↗Joseph Dalessandro
Cybersecurity, AI assurance & technology risk
Joseph works across cybersecurity, AI audit, governance and technology risk. His experience includes founding technology ventures and leading security, assurance and risk programs, with a focus on helping organizations navigate complexity and change.
LinkedIn profile ↗Mark Loschiavo
Entrepreneurship & education
Mark is the retired Executive Director of Drexel University's Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship and a co-founder and former CEO of Cenero. His background brings together entrepreneurship education, business formation, strategy and innovation.
LinkedIn profile ↗Deborah Crowe
Innovation, commercialization & impact
Deborah is a technology and innovation leader focused on turning science-based research into solutions that benefit people and the planet. An Edmund Hillary Fellow and co-founder of UsedFULLY, she brings experience in product development, commercialization, governance and the circular economy.
LinkedIn profile ↗Misha Lepetic
Technology, entrepreneurship & climate
Misha works at the intersection of climate, finance, technology and entrepreneurship. He is a consulting technical lead at Resource Extraction Monitoring and an entrepreneur-in-residence and teaching assistant at ILT Academy, supporting founders and exploring AI-assisted entrepreneurship education.
LinkedIn profile ↗How we're supported
A nonprofit.
An open door.
Big Lever Institute Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Big Lever Ventures LLC is an in-kind donor, contributing time, materials, bandwidth and AI tokens to support our work. It also publishes the Institute's two AI guides.