Jason Coleman is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of Project SYNCERE, an educational not-for-profit organization whose mission is to prepare the minds and create pathways for underrepresented students to pursue careers in STEM. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from theUniversity of Southern California, Jason spent three years at BAE Systems designing and developing flight control systems for military and commercial aircraft. He then joined Motorola Mobility, where he spent five years creating mechanical layouts for next-generation cellular devices.

During his engineering career, Jason witnessed firsthand the lack of representation of minorities and women in the field. Recognizing the need for systemic change, he co-founded Project SYNCERE in 2008 to expand access to quality STEM education for inner-city youth. Since its launch, the organization has served more than 40,000 students across Chicago, increasing STEM interest, strengthening engineering skills, and expanding college and career opportunities.

Now in its 17th year of operation, Project SYNCERE provides programming in more than 30 schools and operates a year-round engineering academy that offers a pathway from middle school through college. Under Jason’s leadership, the organization continues to redefine how engineering is taught and accessed, ensuring that students gain the technical skills and confidence needed to thrive in an innovation-driven economy.

Jason’s commitment to civic leadership is reflected in his recognition as a 2015 Civic Leadership Academy Fellow, a 2019 Eisenhower Fellow, a 2020 Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow, and a 2024 Obama Scholar. He recently earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2025. In addition to his professional work, Jason volunteers with local nonprofits and serves on the Advisory Board for the Chicago Children’s Museum.