What Gets Easier and What Gets Harder - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 1 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "What is Getting Easier and What is Getting Harder in Your Life?"  Epstein embraces the challenge of an increasingly demanding career while also preparing to become a father and start a family.  Leading and managing teams - from working with teams to inspire confidence and cultivating talent - gets easier as he gains experience. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

CFO Andrew Epstein on Transitioning into a General Management Role

In Chapter 2 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "How Are Your Responsibilities Changing As Your Career Evolves?" Working as a CFO in a charter management organization, Epstein manages a finance and operations team across multiple schools and the overall network.  His responsibilities change most by giving him a global view of the organization and putting good people to work for the organization. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Andrew Epstein on Finding Meaningful Work in Charter School Education

In Chapter 3 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "What Makes Your Work Meaningful?"  Epstein shares how he works to support 180 teachers providing 1700 students a college preparatory education in underresourced Brooklyn neighborhoods.  By helping structure academic programs from early grades through high school, he finds a deep connection between his work and the outcomes it creates. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Andrew Epstein on Creating Education Equality in American Schools

In Chapter 4 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "Why Do You Believe That Education Equality is the Civil Rights Movement of Our Generation?"  Epstein believes all American children need to be educated and failing schools and poor teaching are creating generations of children that are not learning to read and write.  As more low-skilled jobs move abroad, Epstein sees college preparatory education as more important as ever.  He believes charter schools address this problem by introducing choice into a previously closed market. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Andrew Epstein on Gaining Strategic Planning Job Responsibilities

In Chapter 5 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "What New Challenges Are You Facing in Your Career?"  Epstein talks about the challenge of being a new member of the executive leadership team and taking on more strategic planning responsibilities in his work.  He notes how the time horizon of his work gets broader as longer-term planning becomes more important. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Andrew Epstein on Finding Personal Best by Facilitating Collaboration

In Chapter 6 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "When Are You At Your Best?"  Epstein finds he performs best bringing together teams to work on problems together.  He finds he brings people together in his personal life and sees it translate into his work. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Andrew Epstein on How to Be a Better Partner to Your Boss

In Chapter 7 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "How Have You Learned to Be a Better Partner to Your Boss?"  As a CFO of a network of charter schools working with his boss, the CEO, Epstein focuses on being mission-aligned and being fully committed to the organizational vision.  He makes it a point of setting expectations early in the relationship - in the hiring phase - to make sure he and his CEO are on the same page. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Andrew Epstein on Creating Entreprenuerial Charter School Jobs

In Chapter 8 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "What Has Your Work Experience Taught You About How Education Careers are Changing?"  Epstein shares how the charter school movement has enabled entrepreneurship to enter the education system.  He shares how charter schools are bringing young, motivated leaders into education in ways not seen previously.  He also shares how he reconciles encouraging an entrepreneurial structure that is also accountable to students, parents and teachers. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Manage Across Work Disciplines - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 9 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "How Have You Learned to Work More Effectively Across Different Disciplines?"  Epstein shares how he first puts people he trusts in place to do very specific jobs.  He then is able to make a specialist to generalist transition in his own role to then be a more effective general manager. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Andrew Epstein on Leading Teams by Nurturing Employee Growth

In Chapter 10 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "What Leadership Skills Are Becoming More Relevant as Your Career Progresses?"  Epstein believes the role of a leader is to get team members excited about their roles and engaged in their work.  He finds honesty, availability and presence help him nuture and develop his teams. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Andrew Epstein on Improving Organizational Job Skills

In Chapter 11 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "What Skills Are You Working on Right Now to Become Better at Your Job?"  Epstein constantly tries to improve how he uses systems to stay better organized at work.  Organizational skills help him manage multiple projects and multiple team members and what needs to get done when. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Andrew Epstein on How Structure Helps Manage and Motivate Teams

In Chapter 12 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "How Are You Learning to Better Manage and Motivate Teams?"  Epstein finds it more challenging to motivate teams than to motivate individuals.  In an environment where roles are constantly shifting, Epstein tries to find a balance between flexibility and structure in role definition. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Perform Under Pressure and Meet Work Goals - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 13 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "What Does It Mean to Perform Under Pressure in the Work That You Do?"  Epstein finds performing under pressure means working toward and meeting longer-term deadlines while also managing day-to-day operations with his team.  He finds it is important to ask for help when it is needed. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Andrew Epstein on Solving Work Problems When Things Go Wrong

In Chapter 14 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "How Have You Learned to Adapt When Things Have Not Worked Out as Planned?"  Epstein first takes a deep breath.  He makes a point to be supportive of his team and problem solve by using a process that keeps the team working toward a goal.  He uses an example of a school busing problem and how he and his team resolved it. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Andrew Epstein on Planning Charter School Market Entry Strategy

In Chapter 15 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "What Goals are You Setting as You Look to What Comes Next in Your Education Career?"  In his higher education executive job at Ascend Learning, Epstein looks out to opening out multiple new charter schools annually and putting the right business model and financing in place to achieve sustainable school growth. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Andrew Epstein on Setting Work Expectations When Starting a Family

In Chapter 16 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "How Are Your Personal Experiences Shaping Your Professional Aspirations?"  Epstein speaks to the work-life balance he is struggling to better understand.  As his career aspirations grow as a higher education executive, so do his family aspirations to start a family.  This is the challenge he now faces in his late 30s. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Andrew Epstein on Making Time for Reflection in Your Life

In Chapter 17 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "What Role Has Reflection Played in Shaping Your Personal Growth?"  Epstein is always thinking about ways he can get better - as a partner in his personal relationships, as a partner to his boss, as a friend.  Setting aside time before and after dinner Epstein tries to make it a habit of having these thoughts so he can put them to work in his life.

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

CFO Andrew Epstein on Getting Management Career Advice

In Chapter 18 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "At This Moment in Your Life, Where Are You Seeking Advice and Coaching?"  Epstein reaches out to peers in comparable management roles.  He looks for support learning how to hire and develop bridge positions between higher education manager and executive level jobs.  Further, he looks for guidance on how to better manage home and work balance. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.