Our VISION
KDR Global Education Solutions envisions a world in which each person has access to learning skills, social and emotional intelligence, and who realize and reap the benefits of the value and asset they are in our world.
We seek wise use of technology to champion human development and cultural intelligence.
We seek to raise student potential in preparatory, charter, public and private schools through new methods of learning.
We seek to educate parents, as they have more responsibility today to tutor their children in their homes.
We seek to bring remedial support to distressed students, schools, and regions.
We seek to build new institutions where there is an identified private/public need. Ultimately we supplement, create and develop education models that more effectively expand accumulated knowledge, skills and values from one generation, and one culture, to the next.
Our Mission
The KDR Global Education Solutions’ mission is to build and provide a network of education, community and corporate entities that support sustainable economic development through the growth of the talents, skills and stewardship of people from one generation to the next.
OUR TEAM
Karen Reed
Founder, CEO/President
Karen’s formula for success is based on her ability to form a team of successful professionals in strategically related areas and industries. Her advocacy for education stems from experience in international business, global travel, and witnessing human needs and the potential for solutions. She is an activist for the empowerment of girls and young men, the sustainability of our environment, social justice, and space science. In sum, she is a compelling force for raising human potential.
Karen strategized and executed her interests and advocacy to develop KDR Global Education Solutions and services within the United States and internationally. KDR provides programs to develop the skills and capacity of individuals to reap the benefits of their value and contributory assets to our world. The services are rendered with distinct collaboration between local leadership, corporations, non-profits, and educational entities.
Recognizing the effect of entertainment on education, she founded and is CEO/President of KDR Artist Management Inc., wherein she identifies and provides talent and produces events, documentaries, and films, including previously representing Grammy Award-Winning producers and songwriters. This includes being mentored and having by a number-one charting Billboard artist produced by Nile Rodgers. She has access to those who can utilize their talents to benefit others.
Karen graduated from Rollins College and studied at the University of South Carolina with a degree in International Affairs and International Business. She is the author of the book, An Eye For A Dream. She is a member of the prestigious national honor society for international studies, Sigma Iota Rho, as well as a member of the national leadership and honors organization, Sigma Alpha Lambda. She is an Opus Novum Fellow. She is a partner in the historical CHICAGO SEED initiative launched in 2022, covering 17 campuses and 7,000 students.
Originally from Chicago, relocating to Los Angeles to work with a top Fortune 500 company for 15 years, Karen now resides in Orlando, Florida. Among her successes, she is a former professional haute couture model exclusively represented by Suzanne Johnson A+ Talent Agency, a Ford Agency Affiliate, photographed by famous photographers, and walked the runways for many famous designers.
She left the bright lights to forge her own runway toward making a difference in the world as an entrepreneur whose goal is to positively impact the lives of people throughout the world to enrichment and success.
DANIEL D. LADD
Director of International Sales & Marketing
Daniel Ladd prolifically oversees our sales and marketing. He interfaces with clients and collaborators internationally to promote strategic education solutions. His previous leadership and experience with the Fortune 500, led to results in corporate market share, and impact with youth, communities and economies. Daniel studied at the Florida Institute of Technology, majoring in physics and corporate psychology.
RAYMOND REED
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY
Raymond Reed provides international consultancy to multiple industry verticals. He specializes in social consciousness, and capital solutions for telecommunications, entertainment, technology, energy, and emerging financial markets. His expertise spans and bridges nations – the US, UK, Middle East, India, and Africa.
DR. THOMAS MARIDADA II
Executive Coach
Dr. Thomas Maridada is the President and CEO of BRIGHT New Leaders for Ohio Schools. He is the former National Director of Education Policy, Practice and Strategic Initiatives at the Children's Defense Fund in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining CDF, Tom served as superintendent of several urban school districts in Michigan where he was named “Michigan Superintendent of the Year” by the National Association of School Administrators. He has acted as a “school turn-around specialist” for some of the most challenging schools and districts in the country.
Tom has served as a leader of two national exemplary school districts. In 1998, he along with the administrative staff of his school, were invited to have dinner at the White House to laud the incredible accomplishment of creating a professional learning community that had achieved sustainable, high academic performance in a school that been previously plagued by persistently low student achievement. On the heels of his success as a superintendent, Tom was asked to co-create and develop a plan at the county level that would raise student achievement in 24 urban schools that were in “corrective action” as defined by No Child Left Behind. The schools that implemented the plan in their first year raised student achievement between 15-35% in both reading and/or math. In the second year, many schools experienced between a 20-40% increase, meeting AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) and consecutively outperforming schools that had not previously been challenged with raising student achievement. One of the schools that employed his reform model was featured on Good Morning America and the following year another school was given a commendation for being one of the most improved schools in the state of Michigan.
JOHN BREWER
DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
John Brewer is our master of international business development. Utilizing knowledge of cultures, the advantages of diversity, and an innate ability to build relationships, he delivers strategies leading to new business. As president of Primary Resource Associates (PRA) he set the standard for moving an organization from national to transnational status. John earned his master’s degree at Indiana State University in international business. He is also a former Pittsburgh Steeler.
PATRICK COLLINS
EDUCATION COACHING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Born Patrick Clarence Collins on December 20, 1965, to parents Clarence and Marva Collins, Patrick is one of three children; Patrick has an older brother Eric, and a younger sister Cynthia. Patrick is the son of nationally renowned educator Marva Collins. Marva Collins' work with inner-city children has been celebrated in Time Magazine, News Week, People, and numerous other publications and television news programs. The success of Marva’s accomplishments was made into a made-for-television movie starring Cicely Tyson as Marva Collins and Morgan Freeman as Clarence Collins. Patrick obtained a BA in criminal justice from the University of Maryland. In 1987 Patrick Collins enlisted in the United States Army- Basic Training Fort McClellan, Anniston AL, and Jump School Fort Benning, GA, and Warrant Flight Officer School Fort Rucker, Alabama MOS 153A Rotary Wing Aviator, assigned to Bravo Company 2/4 Field Artillery Brigade in support of the Pershing II missile Neu Ulm Germany. Patrick was honorably discharged from the United States Army and worked as a K-4th-grade teacher, Head Master of Marva Collins School, and Educational Seminar Presenter.
SUSAN BULKIN SHORT
PUBLICIST