In Support of Educational Change
Panelist · Florida Chamber Foundation’s Education Summit · Orlando, FL · September 2013
About
Khori Whittaker is an executive leader with over two decades of experience driving strategic growth, innovation, and mission-driven impact across education, technology, and nonprofit sectors. Based in Tampa, Florida, he is known for a collaborative leadership style and a track record of transforming organizations, building strategic partnerships, and delivering sustainable results.
Now
Whittaker is the founder of Mangoose, an app studio focused on the end-to-end development and launch of AI-enabled businesses — from ideation and business model design to market entry and partnership cultivation.
Career Highlights
In the technology sector, Whittaker served as Executive Director of ENS Labs, Ltd., leading the development of a pioneering, global decentralized web3 identity platform, building cross-functional teams, and forging partnerships that accelerated adoption. At Circle Internet Financial, LLC, he established and scaled a high-performance talent research and sourcing function in the fast-paced cryptocurrency industry.
His education leadership spans K-12 and higher education. As President and CEO of Lighthouse Academies, Inc., he directed a multi-state charter school network. Earlier, at InsideTrack, Inc., he scaled nationwide talent acquisition and closed landmark multi-million-dollar partnerships, including major deals with college and university systems through U.S. Department of Labor grants.
Boards & Governance
Whittaker served as Board Trustee and Vice Chair of the Budget & Finance Committee at Excelsior University, a nationally recognized institution, where he provided fiduciary oversight, approved annual budgets, and shaped strategic direction for online health sciences programs. He also served on the Academic Affairs and Student Experience Committee and the Presidential Search Committee.
A seasoned board leader and advisor, he has served on multiple nonprofit and educational boards, including Central Florida Urban League, Drug Free America Foundation Advisory Board, and Global Glimpse. He is a member of YPO and a former member of YPO's Personal Networks Council and Leadership Florida Class XXXIV. A NACD Board Governance Fellow, he brings rigorous expertise in corporate governance, financial stewardship, and stakeholder engagement.
Education
Whittaker holds an M.A. in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach, focused on American Government & Law, and a B.A. in Economics from Princeton University, with certificates in Spanish Language and Culture and Political Economy. He also received a Diploma from the Summer Institute of Hispanic Studies at the University of León in León, Spain.
Core Expertise
Executive leadership Business development Talent recruitment and development Policy, regulation & institutional governance Digital identity & blockchain infrastructure Tokenization & real-world assets
Conference Presentations
Selected panels, presentations, and moderated sessions.
Innovating for Greater Success
Presenter · Affordability and Persistence in Wisconsin Public Higher Education – A Research, Policy, and Practice Conference · Appleton, WI · July 2012
Adult Learners: Research-based Strategies for Recruitment and Retention
Presenter · Teresa Farnum & Associates Retention & Recruitment Workshop · Baltimore, MD · July 2012
The Best of Both Worlds: Marrying Data and Technological Advances with Individualized Attention and Support
Presenter · American Association of Community Colleges Annual Conference · Orlando, FL · April 2012
A New Approach to Student Retention
Presenter · Embracing the Future · Washington, DC · October 2011
The Holistic Student Experience: Best practices for enhancing the intellectual and personal growth of students
Moderator · Educating for Lives of Purpose: NASPA Annual Conference · Philadelphia, PA · March 2011
Communicate to Influence
Presenter · Training Officers Consortium Annual Institute · Norfolk, VA · April 2008
The Life-cycle Approach to African-American Student Retention at Stanford University
Presenter · College Board: A Dream Deferred · Los Angeles, CA · April 2007