Sarah Silbert Hinawi, EdM, is the Co-Founder, Director and Chief Learning Officer of Purpl, a small business incubator for solopreneurs, small business people and independent professionals. This work stems from a long career in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, focusing on human development and specifically programs that support individuals’ ability to actualize their potential and be self-directed in their learning and work. She has been instrumental in the growth and success of a number of national and international student-centered programs, including the Columbia University TeenScreen Program, LitWorld, and the College Board’s college and career-planning curriculum, CollegeEd. She has served on the Board of the Institute for Democratic Education in America and the Next Generation Committee for the Association of Small Foundations, and recently served as a Leadership Expert in Residence at TED. Her new model for leadership in the gig economy is the topic of a TED talk and a book that is currently in development. She facilitates peer to peer mentorship groups and consults with organizations to help founders, independent workers, students and organizational staff develop the competencies to thrive in the new world of work by being Self-Led.
Co-founder Adel Hinawi is an accomplished civil engineer and music production professional. In addition to being a civil engineer and resident engineer on many multi-million dollar projects with the MTA and New York City School Construction Authority, Adel was introduced to the recording process at 17 and has been recording and producing live shows for more than 20 years, including four years in Al Nazaer Productions, one of the top studios in the Middle East, where he arranged and produced for many famous singers and bands. In 1999, Adel graduated from Full Sail in Orlando, FL with a degree in Recording Arts, and went on to work for several main studios including the Hit Factory and Green St Recording in New York City. He then established 33 1/3 Recording where he recorded one of his most famous clients, John Mayer, and his Room For Squares album. Adel has brought his acoustical and structural experience together in working for Industrial Acoustics Company and serving as an acoustical design consultant for schools, studio-owners, and live performance venues.
