The collaboration between Mike Feinberg and Vanessa Ramirez illustrates how educator-student relationships can transform into powerful professional partnerships that benefit entire communities.
Ramirez was among the original KIPP students when Feinberg co-founded the charter school program in Houston three decades ago. She received extensive support throughout her education, including assistance accessing private high school opportunities and college guidance.
After completing her economics degree, Ramirez returned to Houston and joined KIPP’s college support department, helping students navigate post-secondary transitions. Her work there revealed systemic gaps in services for students who needed continued support despite attending non-KIPP high schools.
“Mike was instrumental in helping me access a great private high school education for close to free and then also supported my transition to college,” Ramirez explained during a podcast discussion about their current partnership.
The relationship evolved when Feinberg asked Ramirez to develop KIPP’s community outreach efforts. Her assignment involved building relationships with neighbors around a new campus and identifying community strengths and needs.
This work led Ramirez to Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, an organization serving formerly incarcerated adults. The experience inspired her to address similar needs in Houston, ultimately focusing on juvenile justice reform and workforce development.
When Mattress Mack offered space at Gallery Furniture for workforce training in 2019, Feinberg invited Ramirez to co-found WorkTexas. Her expertise in juvenile justice and community development complemented his education background.
Their partnership now operates two distinct but related programs. WorkTexas serves high school students and adults seeking career training, while the Opportunity Center provides integrated education and workforce development for justice-involved youth.
“We started looking at this community school that the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department was running,” Ramirez said, describing how they transformed a struggling GED program into a comprehensive workforce development center.
The collaboration demonstrates how mentorship relationships can mature into professional partnerships. Ramirez brings lived experience of the communities they serve, while Feinberg contributes decades of educational leadership and program development expertise.
Their joint work has achieved 93% attendance rates at the Opportunity Center, serving students from 42 zip codes across Harris County. This success reflects their complementary skills and shared commitment to creating pathways for underserved populations.