What's New

Participate Learning Named Top Impact Company by Real Leaders Magazine

Recognition highlights Chapel Hill-based education company’s commitment to making the world a better place through K-12 global education   

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Participate Learning, a leader in providing global education opportunities to K-12 schools, has been named a Top Impact Company by Real Leaders magazine for the sixth consecutive year. The company is ranked No. 61 overall (up from No. 143 last year) and No. 3 in the Social Enterprise and Education category.  

The awards — which received more than 500 applications from 15+ countries — asked 30 questions within six categories of I.M.P.A.C.T (Intention, Model, People, Accountability, Collaboration and Transformation) to vet and rank privately owned companies based on those parameters. 

Using this criteria, the 2024 list recognizes 300 companies that are “driving a dynamic segment of the economy, bearing a new vision of capitalism that demonstrates every transaction is an opportunity for growth and a better world.” 

“We are deeply committed to our mission of uniting our world through global learning, our common humanity and being change makers who make the world a better place,” David Young, CEO of Participate Learning, said. “This recognition highlights the positive impact of our partnerships with K-12 schools on students, teachers and communities in North Carolina and beyond.”

The 2024 list features a mix of respected impact brands of all sizes and from a variety of industries with companies such as Brandless, Generate Capital, Cotopaxi and Every Man Jack. The complete list can be found here.

This award comes on the heels of other recognitions for Participate Learning, including being named to the MO 100 Top Impact CEO list.


ABOUT PARTICIPATE LEARNING
At Participate Learning, we strive to create global, cultural, and language connections that empower students and educators to positively impact the world. In service to that mission, we’ve been partnering with schools and districts since 1987 to improve student outcomes, bring varying perspectives to schools through cultural exchange and our Ambassador Teachers program, build Spanish and Mandarin Dual Language Programs that support academic achievement, bilingualism, and biliteracy, and integrate a Global Leaders framework that prepares students for a modern workforce and a more interconnected world. Together, we can create a better future for students.

Author

  • Originally from Canada, Michelle has over 14 years of teaching experience both internationally in England and Paraguay and locally right here in North Carolina. Michelle is currently the Director of Partner Experience and Communications at Participate Learning and is passionate about all things global education, dual language, and cultural exchange. Connect with Michelle on Twitter and LinkedIn!

Michelle Macumber

Originally from Canada, Michelle has over 14 years of teaching experience both internationally in England and Paraguay and locally right here in North Carolina. Michelle is currently the Director of Partner Experience and Communications at Participate Learning and is passionate about all things global education, dual language, and cultural exchange. Connect with Michelle on Twitter and LinkedIn!

Recent Posts

What Are the Four Stages of Culture Shock?

Living abroad can be an exhilarating experience. It encourages new world views, increases cultural curiosity,…

1 week ago

How to Build Student Agency in the Classroom

At Heritage Middle School in North Carolina, a group of eighth graders noticed something small…

2 weeks ago

How Hidden Oaks K–8 Turned the Holiday Season Into a Global Learning Experience

Last December, Hidden Oaks K–8 School in Florida became a vibrant showcase of global learning…

3 weeks ago

Celebrating the 2025 Global Leaders Career Development Award Winners

How Schools Are Connecting Global Learning to Real-World Careers This November, in honor of National…

4 weeks ago

Does Dual Language Immersion Improve Math Achievement? New Evidence from K–5 Classrooms

Large-scale findings from North Carolina show that students in dual language immersion (DLI) programs outperform…

2 months ago

How Participate Learning Supports Ambassador Teachers Throughout Their Journeys

Each year, hundreds of dedicated educators take a bold step toward personal and professional transformation…

2 months ago