Founder

Samuel Bennett is an award-winning educator and curriculum innovator with nearly two decades of teaching experience. A three-time Colorado State University Teacher of the Year and recipient of over five Student Choice Teacher of the Year awards, he is known for his deep commitment to student engagement, intellectual rigor, and authentic connection.

Holding graduate degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Bennett’s academic work spans interdisciplinary inquiry and experiential learning, as reflected in his scholarly contributions on Google Scholar. Most recently teaching at Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy, his 2024–2025 student surveys highlight an exceptional classroom culture where over 90% of students report feeling respected, cared for, and academically challenged. Passionate about reimagining education for high-performing student-athletes, he now leads curriculum development at Vail Performance Academy, blending project-based learning with mentorship and real-world exploration.

Dan Leever brings more than 30 years of experience growing and managing companies. 

For 25 years Mr. Leever served as CEO of Platform Specialty Products Corporation (now Element Solutions) of Miami, FL, and its predecessor company MacDermid inc. PSP was a multinational specialty chemical manufacturer. During his 25 year tenure the company grew from $100 million and 150 employees to $8.5 billion and 8500 employees with operations in 100 countries. 

After retiring from PSP Dan became an Operating Partner with GreyLion Partners a private equity firm where he remains active as a senior advisor.   

Dan Chair’s the boards of  Ski Racing Media, the premier English Language digital publication,  SYNC Performance, a winter apparel company. Most recently he co-founded and is Chairman of Performance Academies an artificial intelligence education model in collaboration with Alpha Schools/2HourLearning. With co-founder Sam Bennett, the plan is to open academy’s around the USA in mountain communities.  

Dan is the author of The Formula: 7 Principles to Transform Doubt and Despair into Confidence and Success which is available through Amazon and is distributed free on-line.   

Mr. Leever’s background in ski racing is extensive. He is the author of the Leever Study a comprehensive examination of development in ski racing focused on three initiatives; 1) a extensive survey of World Cup Level athletes which asked questions about their development experiences, 2) a statistical deep dive study of development pathways, 3) a thought leader interview survey of global leaders in ski racing.

He served for 20 years as a Board Member and a member of the Executive Committee of Ski and Snowboard Club Vail. He is a prior Board Member of US Ski and Snowboard, and Trustee of the US Ski and Snowboard Foundation.

Mr. Leever attended Kansas State University from 1968 to 1971 where he studied business.  He received a MBA from The University of New Haven Graduate School of Business in 1999.

Mr. Leever is founder and Chairman of Vail Snow Sports Foundation and TA Foundation; non-profit organizations dedicated to promoting youth snow sports through financial support to young athletes.

Mr. Leever is married with two sons, two grandchildren, and lives in Vail, Colorado and Palm Beach, Florida.

Mentor: Music, math, entrepreneurship

Jakob Schoenfeld is a Juilliard-trained classical percussionist and a tenured member of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. With performances across the world’s leading concert halls and collaborations with renowned conductors, Jakob brings deep artistry and discipline to every aspect of his work. In addition to his musical excellence, he mentors students in music composition and performance, while also offering rich insights into mathematics and entrepreneurship through his experience in arts innovation and creative leadership. Jakob helps students connect precision with passion—and creativity with real-world thinking.

Mentor: Meditation, Biology, Business, Leadership

Mia Upton is a wellness entrepreneur, international educator, and founder of M Body, where she blends biology, business, and holistic healing. With a background marked by physical adversity including multiple ACL injuries and two craniotomies, Mia brings extraordinary resilience and insight to her mentorship in biology, meditation, and health-focused entrepreneurship.

Her global career in wellness spans two decades, combining movement science, trauma recovery, and mind-body integration. Mia continues advanced training in Core Synchronism and chronic pain science, and mentors students in how cellular health, personal growth, and business innovation intersect. Through her work, she helps young people explore science and self-awareness as tools for both healing and leadership

Mentor: Photography, videography, digital story-telling

Cole Pates is a filmmaker, director of photography, and editor based in Denver, Colorado, known for capturing high-impact visuals across action sports, branded content, and documentary film. Raised in the Colorado mountains, Cole’s creative roots are grounded in winter sports culture, which he has transformed into a global career producing content for leading brands, athletes, and campaigns.

His work combines cinematic vision with technical precision, whether he's filming snowboarders in the backcountry or shaping the narrative arc of a commercial shoot. At Vail Performance Academy, Cole mentors students in photography, videography, and visual storytelling, helping them turn raw footage into powerful, polished narratives that inspire and inform.

Mentor: Writing, research, media

Zoe Goldstein is a journalist and storyteller with a passion for community voices, education, and cultural connection. As a reporter for the Vail Daily, Zoe covers everything from education and healthcare to wildlife and local business, while also serving as editor of the paper’s Spanish-language section, Vail Vida Latina.

A graduate of Harvard College with a degree in English, Zoe brings strong narrative skill and sharp analysis to her mentorship in writing, research, and media. She helps students explore how storytelling—whether through journalism, essays, or creative work—can shape understanding, elevate unheard voices, and drive meaningful change.

Mentor: Fire Science, Wildland Ecology, Leadership

Logan Hill is a United States Marine Corps veteran and a full-time firefighter who brings courage, discipline, and real-world experience to the classroom. With a career rooted in service and tactical operations, Logan mentors students in fire science, wildland fire behavior, and ecological resilience. His hands-on approach helps students understand the intersection of environmental science, emergency response, and leadership under pressure. Logan inspires young people to think critically, act decisively, and respect the power—and responsibility—of protecting people and the natural world.