Economic Mobility Systems: Company Profile

Background

Overview

Economic Mobility Systems (EMS) is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Dallas, Texas, dedicated to enhancing equitable socioeconomic mobility through innovative, student-centered data platforms. Founded in 2021, EMS collaborates with educational institutions and communities to empower students and families, aiming to improve college readiness, increase enrollment, promote persistence and completion, and achieve workforce alignment leading to living-wage attainment.

Mission and Vision

EMS's mission is to help communities and institutions see, empower, and support every learner through their educational journey into a good living-wage job by providing timely data insights, leadership, technology, and change management. Their vision is to accelerate the development and use of innovative, equity-based, and student-centered data platforms across Dallas County and the state of Texas, dramatically enhancing equitable socioeconomic mobility.

Primary Area of Focus

EMS focuses on creating systems that quickly identify areas of inequity, develop empowering solutions with and for students and families, and robustly support continuous improvement efforts to eliminate these inequities. Their services include advising, designing, building solutions, supporting implementation and operation, and preparing institutions to take over operations.

Industry Significance

Operating within the education and workforce development sector, EMS addresses critical challenges in student success and economic mobility. By leveraging data-driven solutions, EMS plays a pivotal role in bridging gaps between education and employment, thereby contributing to the broader goal of reducing socioeconomic disparities.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

• Equitable Outcomes: Develop partnerships aimed at producing strong returns on investment in the form of equitable student college and workforce outcomes, including improving college readiness, increasing college enrollment, promoting college persistence and completion, and achieving workforce alignment leading to living-wage attainment.

• Collaboration and Community Building: Build partnerships based on trust and relationships to design, develop, and execute effective college and career strategies that produce results.

• Student-Centered Approach: Always prioritize what is best for students and empower them on their journey to success, engaging through regional collaborations and with state agencies and policymakers to build more coherent and interdependent approaches to address inequities.

Specific Areas of Specialization

• Regional Talent Networks: Assist regions in developing strategies and tools to produce new, valued, and equitable postsecondary outcomes aligned with regional workforce needs.

• Dallas County Initiative-EMC: Support the Commit Partnership in running data and systems to support the Dallas County Promise in partnership with K-12, community colleges, and universities.

Key Technologies Utilized

• Data Platforms: Implement innovative, student-centered data platforms to enhance equitable socioeconomic mobility.

• Digital Credentials: Leverage digital credentials to empower students and institutions.

• Case Management Tools: Utilize case management tools to support students throughout their educational journey.

Primary Markets or Conditions Targeted

EMS primarily targets educational institutions, community organizations, and policymakers within Dallas County and the state of Texas, focusing on regions with significant disparities in educational attainment and economic mobility.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

As a nonprofit organization, EMS's funding primarily comes from grants, donations, and partnerships with educational institutions and community organizations. Specific details regarding total funds raised and recent funding rounds are not publicly disclosed.

Total Revenues and Expenses

• Total Revenues (2024): $4,850,917

• Total Expenses (2024): $4,234,017

Total Assets

• Total Assets (2024): $1,854,491

Number of Employees

• Employees (2024): 14

Pipeline Development

As a nonprofit organization focused on educational initiatives, EMS does not have a traditional product pipeline. Instead, they develop and implement programs and partnerships aimed at improving educational outcomes and economic mobility.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

• Learner Record: Simplifies processes with technology and data that let students self-manage their journey.

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Helps high schools, colleges, and communities better see and support the student journey in real time with strong case management that builds continuous improvement into their collective DNA.

Significant Scientific Methods

• Data Analysis: Utilizes data analysis to identify areas of inequity and develop empowering solutions.

• Continuous Improvement: Supports continuous improvement efforts to eliminate areas of inequity.

Leadership Team

Executive Profiles

• Eric J. Ban, Ed.D. – Executive Director

Dr. Ban has extensive experience in education, including leading statewide initiatives for Dallas County Promise and serving as Senior Vice President of Program Innovation at Academic Partnerships.

• Mark Flanagan – Chief Technology Officer

Flanagan has a background in technology and education, having served as Chief Information Officer and SVP of Distance Learning Systems at Whitney International University System.

• Laura Landry – Senior Director, K-12 Partnerships

Landry has over a decade of experience in Dallas ISD, serving as a teacher, school leader, and Principal of Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Jr. Early College High School.

• Kristin Micalizio – Chief Operating Officer

Micalizio has over 25 years of leadership experience across marketing, operations, finance, and strategy, including roles at Academic Partnerships and Higher Ed Partners.

• Dr. Sari McCoy – Chief Program Operations Officer

Dr. McCoy has over 30 years of experience in education and industry, including co-founding Cyber Workforce and serving as Executive Director of Career & Technical Education at Richardson Independent School District.

Market Insights and Competitor Analysis

Market Insights and Dynamics

The market for educational technology and workforce development is growing, with increasing emphasis on data-driven solutions to improve educational outcomes and economic mobility. Organizations like EMS are at the forefront of this movement, addressing critical challenges in student success and socioeconomic disparities.

Competitor Analysis

EMS operates in a competitive landscape with other organizations focused on education and workforce development. Notable competitors include:

• Economic Mobility Corporation: Identifies, develops, and evaluates programs and policies to help disadvantaged individuals acquire education, skills, and networks necessary for success in the labor market.

• Opportunity Insights: A think tank and policy research institute focusing on the economics of opportunity and social mobility.

• Single Stop: A nonprofit organization with a mission to foster economic mobility and financial stability in the U.S. by connecting people through a "one-stop shop" platform that links individuals to various federal, state, and local benefits and resources.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

EMS collaborates with various educational institutions, community organizations, and policymakers to design, develop, and execute effective college and career strategies. These partnerships are built on trust and relationships, aiming to produce equitable student outcomes and address areas of inequity.

Operational Insights

EMS differentiates itself through its student-centered approach, leveraging data-driven solutions to identify and address inequities in education and workforce development. Their focus on collaboration and community building strengthens their market position and enhances their capacity for innovation.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

EMS is well-positioned to expand its impact by continuing to develop and implement innovative, equity-based data platforms. Opportunities for growth include scaling their initiatives statewide, enhancing partnerships with educational institutions and community organizations, and further integrating technology to support student success and economic mobility.