Sandee Kastrul

Sandee Kastrul is the president and cofounder of i.c.stars; Founded in 1999 i.c.stars provides opportunities to break the cycle of poverty that limits inner-city youth. Through training in technology, in leadership and in business skills i.c.stars prepares change-driven, inner city future leaders to develop skills in business and technology for high-level careers in information technology (IT) and community leadership. As a speaker, Sandee is an engaging and inspiring storyteller drawing the connections between creativity, innovation, technology and entrepreneurship. As the founder of a non-profit and social enterprise Sandee discusses the powerful result of optimism and raising the standards for our communities with a unique perspective on Capitalism and Civil Rights.

Sandee has been working in education and transformation for over 2 decades. Her career in education has included focused work on cross-curricular integration strategies, diversity training and curriculum development. She worked as a teacher and consultant from early childhood classrooms through adult education affording her a wide perspective in effective project based learning techniques, leadership development, reverse mentoring and asset based pedagogy. Some career highlights include implementing a professional development program with Harold Washington College Career Center, designing a comprehensive science and civics interactive program for Jobs for Youth, developing and facilitating diversity trainings and cross cultural curriculum strategies for the Illinois Resource Center, the Merrillville School Corporation and creating artist in residency programs and training artists to work in classrooms for several performing arts organizations in Chicago.

Ms. Kastrul proudly serves on the board of Directors for PAVE, (Promoting Awareness Victim Empowerment) and the LEED Council, (Local Economic and Employment Development), and Las Caras Lindas. Sandee received the NFBDPA(National Forum Black Public Administrators) Community Service Award in 2012 BDPA (Black Data Processors Association) leadership award in 2009, and the BDPA Spirit award in 2004.