Carlo Kriekles / Co-Founder & Executive Director of YESS Institute

Meet Carlo Kriekels, Co-founder and Executive Director of the YESS Institute, a premiere non-profit agency serving Denver Public Schools to close the achievement gap through training students in peer mentorship and school engagement programs.

Carlo’s passion for supporting and cultivating the success of youth within the Denver Public School system is not only infectious, it runs incredibly deep. If you talk with Carlo about what compelled his life’s mission to serve youth, he’ll tell you about his 18-month long motorbike trip of 35,000 miles throughout Latin America back in the early 90’s. Witnessing the social injustices of failing education amongst underprivileged populations, Carlo formed what he calls his “Compass For Caring” about the cause for improving the lives of children.

After intense training and leadership workshop facilitation of Emotional Intelligence with business leaders all over Brussels, Netherlands, UK and the United States, Carlo made the leap to co-found the YESS Institute in 2001, in order to deliver his skills and commitment of driving success within a population that deserves it most – Denver’s local youth.

Today, the YESS Institute is known for its inclusive and comprehensive peer mentoring model, which turns failing freshman into successful High School graduates.

Carlo is an incredibly inspiring individual. He is a very special paver because he not only perceived a vision and rallied himself and others to go for it, he has also committed his time, energy and attention to a cause that greatly benefits others.

When you point this out to Carlo, he’ll tell you that while his “Compass For Caring” may seem like it comes from a selfless place, it actually fulfills him quite selfishly because he gets to manifest what he cares about most, each-and-every day. “We all have a motorbike story,” he says, and when we tap into it, we have the privilege of delivering greatness to others, while also keeping ourselves fulfilled.

So, how does Carlo Kriekles Pave His Way? Check-out his video to find out.