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Audrey Wisch is the founder and CEO of Curious Cardinals, a learning platform on a mission to empower students to discover their purpose and unlock their full potential. She paused her studies at Stanford University, where she pursued a passion for women’s history, to build Curious Cardinals during the pandemic—and never looked back. Audrey has grown the company to serve thousands of students across the country with a network of over 700 mentors from top universities. Her leadership has earned her recognition from Forbes 30 Under 30, CNN, the Today Show, and more. Outside of work, Audrey finds joy in long runs with a good podcast, getting lost in books, and hiking to beautiful vistas. She’s always exploring the intersection of education, purpose, and technology—dreaming big about what the future of learning can be.
So many! I hold myself accountable to reading at least one book a month. A few recent favorites: Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull, The Worlds I See by Dr. Fei-Fei Li, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.
As I’ve embarked on this founder journey, I’ve been deeply moved by the female executives who’ve believed in me and poured into me. Deb Liu taught me to lead fiercely, Alexa von Tobel showed me how to be a founder, and Diane von Furstenberg helped me realize how capable and special I am. Collectively, they’ve reminded me of the priceless power of mentorship to change a life and fuel someone’s full potential.
Someone once told me I’m a “thinker and doer,” and it was the best compliment I’ve ever received—it’s why that value became one of our team’s. I studied the humanities and had my research published in the Stanford Historical Journal, and value deep, reflective thinking—but I also move fast, get things done, and believe in thoughtful action over perfection. The best way to learn is by doing—there’s no better feedback loop than putting something into the world, then pausing to ask, “What did we learn and what will we do differently?” That mindset leads straight into lifelong learning, which I live daily—I see life as a textbook, and I believe every experience has something to teach us if we stay curious enough to ask.
I want Curious Cardinals to be the spark that helps every student discover who they are and what they care about—and gives them the tools to chase it. I hope we help a generation grow up with confidence, curiosity, and clarity of purpose. We’re not just preparing kids for college—we’re preparing them for life.
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