Meet Last Mile's Chief Operations Officer: Caroline Esmurdoc
Last Mile Education Fund is thrilled to announce a transformative addition to our leadership team — Caroline Esmurdoc has joined us as Chief Operations Officer (COO). With a longstanding commitment to the Last Mile mission, a remarkable track record of operational excellence, and a forward-thinking approach, Caroline is poised to lead our organization during an exciting chapter of growth and innovation.
Caroline is a 20-year operations executive dedicated to inclusion and diversity, and to furthering opportunities for young people in STEM. Her work has been instrumental in the launch and scaling of some of the most influential and successful EdTech organizations in the world. She has previously served as the COO of Sololearn, the EVP of Operations at Galvanize, the CEO of Hack Reactor, and the President of Animation Mentor. She holds a BS in Cell Biology & Biochemistry from Bucknell University, and an MS in Biochemistry from UCSF.
a few words from caroline
What personal experiences led you to Last Mile
My journey to the Last Mile Education Fund is deeply rooted in my own experiences navigating higher education as a STEM student and recognizing the barriers that many students face in reaching the finish line. I’ve seen firsthand how unexpected challenges — financial, personal, or logistical — can derail even the most determined individuals from achieving their dreams.
In my own life, I’ve been fortunate to have mentors and resources that helped me overcome obstacles, but I’ve also seen friends and peers who weren’t as lucky. That contrast stayed with me and sparked a passion for leveling the playing field for others, which fueled my career in EdTech and my desire to make exceptional educational experiences and career outcomes accessible to everyone.
As an educator and EdTech executive, I have learned much about the lives and stories of my many students, and witnessed the struggles they overcome to earn an education in hopes of a better future. Joining Last Mile Education Fund allows me to channel my passion into action, helping socioeconomically disadvantaged students push through those critical moments when a little extra support can make all the difference in launching their careers. It’s deeply rewarding to be part of an organization that doesn’t just acknowledge the systemic challenges students face but actively works to remove them, one student at a time.
Tell us a bit about your role.
I lead Last Mile’s day-to-day operations, ensuring they run smoothly and align with the organization’s strategic goals. In partnership with the CEO, Ruthe Farmer, I translate the organization’s vision into inspiring, realistic, and actionable plans that support growth, thought leadership, fund development, and student outcomes.
It’s a broad role, overseeing operations, finance, technology, research, award-making, outreach, funding, and partnerships. I make sure we have the people, processes, technology, and high-performance culture we need to be an effective and efficient business – and I ensure that leadership and the Board of Directors have the information they need to make good decisions.
My goal is to optimize our operations for scale while maintaining the agility and responsiveness that define our mission in order to enhance our ability to serve our constituents — students, partners, donors, and communities.
What challenges have you had that shaped your career journey and how did you overcome them?
Early on, entering a career in STEM where I often found myself to be one of the few individuals from my background often made me question whether I belonged or if my contributions were enough. This mental hurdle initially made it difficult to fully embrace opportunities or take bold risks. What helped me overcome this was seeking out mentors and communities that not only provided guidance but also reminded me of the value of my unique perspective. I learned to reframe challenges as opportunities to grow and to see setbacks not as failures, but as stepping stones toward resilience and adaptability. I found that being open to learning, asking for help, and staying curious were key to overcoming these uncertainties. That, and relentless persistence.
These experiences shaped my approach to leadership and problem-solving. They’ve taught me that challenges aren’t roadblocks — they’re lessons in disguise that help us grow stronger and more self-aware. You win, or you learn. That mindset has been instrumental in driving my career forward and helping me support others in their journeys.
What excites you about joining the Last Mile Education Fund Team and what we are trying to create?
What excites me most about joining the Last Mile Team is the opportunity to be part of a movement that is fundamentally about unlocking potential and transforming lives. The work we do isn’t just about funding education for STEM-committed students — it’s about breaking down systemic barriers and creating ripple effects that extend far beyond the individuals we support, and into companies, schools, communities, families, and government policies.
I’m inspired by the mission to focus on the 'last mile' — that critical, often overlooked phase where students are so close to achieving their dreams but face unexpected obstacles that could derail their journey. That focus is bold and powerful because it acknowledges the unique struggles and untapped potential of students who might otherwise be left behind.
What truly excites me is the vision of equity that drives this movement. It’s not about charity; it’s about justice — about ensuring that talent, drive, resilience, grit, and determination are what shape someone's future, not the circumstances they were born into. Being part of a team that believes in this kind of change and actively works to make it happen is incredibly motivating for me.
I’m ready to roll up my sleeves, collaborate with this amazing team, and contribute to the momentum that’s already motivating so many students to push through barriers and achieve their goals. Together, I know we can create something truly groundbreaking — not just for today, but for generations to come.