On April 28, 2025, BUILD.org’s very own CEO, Thais Rezende, was a part of the Entrepreneurship Education Coalition in Washington, D.C., in a high-impact congressional briefing titled “What is Entrepreneurship Education and Why is it Important?” The event was held at the 2060 Rayburn House Office Building and brought together a powerful coalition of national leaders in youth entrepreneurship education, including NFTE, NAF, Virtual Enterprises, Project Lead the Way, CAPS Network, and The Possible Zone.
This timely gathering of thought leaders, educators, and policymakers aimed to spotlight the critical role entrepreneurship education plays in shaping our future workforce and building a more inclusive economy. Check out the policy brief here.
As the head of BUILD.org—a national nonprofit that has been transforming the lives of under-resourced students through youth entrepreneurship for 25 years—Thais Rezende shared insights on how entrepreneurship education not only teaches business skills, but also equips young people with the confidence, creativity, and critical thinking they need to succeed in any career path.
“Entrepreneurship education isn’t just about starting businesses—it’s about unlocking the power of young people to innovate, lead, and thrive in a rapidly changing world,” says Thais. “At BUILD, we’ve seen firsthand how entrepreneurial skills drive academic engagement, career readiness, and economic mobility.”
The April 28 served as a crucial platform for advocating policy change and expanding access to entrepreneurship education nationwide. With growing interest in workforce development and future-ready learning, this conversation is more important than ever.
BUILD is proud to be a part of this movement—empowering the next generation of diverse changemakers and advocating for policies that bring entrepreneurship education to every student, regardless of zip code.
