Biography of Patrick Cook-Deegan: Founder of Wayfinder -Entrepreneur
Biography of Patrick Cook-Deegan:
Patrick Cook-Deegan’s journey began in Annapolis, Maryland,
where he grew up along the Chesapeake Bay. With community ties to the Naval
Academy and a deep respect for service, Patrick’s early years were shaped by an
environment that encouraged discipline, purpose, and a commitment to public
good. His family’s legacy of service, from his father’s work as a federal
scientist to his great-grandfather’s role as a doctor for Veterans Affairs,
inspired him to pursue paths that made a meaningful impact on others.
Education as a Catalyst
After high school, Patrick attended Brown University,
earning a degree in History of American Education. At Brown, he explored the
intersections of education, social change, and public service. These years set
the stage for his later work in character education and purpose-driven
learning, laying a foundation for his commitment to equipping young people with
the tools to lead meaningful lives.
Passion for Public Service
Inspired by his family's commitment to service, Patrick
engaged in human rights advocacy during his early adulthood. His work took him
to Burma, where he contributed to bipartisan efforts to hold the Burmese junta
accountable and support democratic leadership. These experiences solidified his
passion for creating positive change, particularly in education and youth
development.
Transitioning to Youth Development
In his twenties, Patrick co-founded youth development
programs and became a teacher. While working at MetWest High School in Oakland,
California, he noticed a gap in traditional education. He found that existing
curricula often lacked the depth needed to help students develop purpose,
resilience, and character. This realization marked the beginning of Patrick’s
innovative approach to education.
Teaching with Purpose
At MetWest, Patrick taught character development courses,
focusing on purpose-driven learning. His work aimed to help students navigate
their futures with confidence and meaning. Unfulfilled by available resources,
he began creating his own curriculum tailored to the needs of his students,
planting the seeds for what would later become Wayfinder.
The Stanford Fellowship
In 2015, Patrick earned a fellowship at Stanford
University’s d.school, where he immersed himself in design thinking and
education innovation. During this yearlong fellowship, he collaborated with
Bill Damon’s Center on Adolescence, the leading research hub on youth purpose
development. This partnership provided Patrick with the tools and insights
needed to refine his purpose-driven learning model.
Founding Wayfinder
Wayfinder was born during Patrick’s time at Stanford. He
assembled a team to develop a yearlong curriculum that focused on
social-emotional learning (SEL) and future-ready skills for high schoolers.
Wayfinder’s mission was clear: help students lead purposeful, connected, and
fulfilling lives by bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world
application.
Expanding the Vision
Since its inception, Wayfinder has grown exponentially.
Today, it serves over 1,500 schools and nearly one million students worldwide.
The program provides a comprehensive K-12 curriculum, addressing core skills
like self-awareness, adaptability, empathy, and collaboration. Rooted in
research, Wayfinder empowers educators to guide students toward meaningful
futures.
Biography of Patrick Cook-Deegan: Founder of Wayfinder -Entrepreneur#SEL and purpose-driven learning#startup#age#net worth#Wayfinder story#Patrick Coo
Bridging Cultures through Education
Patrick also worked internationally, leading workshops at
United World Colleges in Japan and teaching mindfulness, wilderness education,
and design thinking. These immersive experiences emphasized the value of
cross-cultural collaboration, further enriching his approach to SEL and
purpose-driven learning.
Thought Leadership and Advocacy
Patrick’s work has earned widespread recognition. He has
spoken at over 300 schools and K-12 conferences, including NAIS and AVID. His
thought leadership extends to publications like The Washington Post, Forbes,
and TechCrunch. Patrick’s writing on purpose development has appeared in Fast
Company and the Stanford Social Innovation Review, among others.
Innovative Assessment Tools
Wayfinder’s offerings include the Waypoints assessment
suite, which provides educators with real-time insights to personalize
instruction. This innovative tool ensures that every student receives targeted
support, maximizing the impact of Wayfinder’s curriculum in classrooms across
the globe.
Guiding Schools Toward Change
Wayfinder’s impact is felt in major school districts across
the U.S., including Omaha, Portland, and Philadelphia, as well as in 65
countries. The program has received accolades from CASEL and Common Sense
Education, solidifying its reputation as a leader in SEL and future-ready
education.
Living with Purpose
Patrick balances his professional commitments with an active
lifestyle in Central Oregon, where he resides with his wife and two children.
As an avid backcountry skier and cyclist, he remains connected to the natural
world, drawing inspiration for his work from the wilderness.
Legacy of Impact
Over two decades, Patrick has partnered with schools to
deliver leadership, character education, and SEL programming. From his early
days as a wilderness guide to his role as a Stanford lecturer, his focus has
remained steadfast: equipping young people with the skills to navigate life’s
challenges with resilience and purpose.
Looking Ahead
Patrick continues to lead Wayfinder, shaping it into the
world’s premier SEL provider. With a commitment to education innovation, he
envisions a future where every student can access tools for personal growth and
meaningful learning. His work stands as a testament to the transformative power
of purpose-driven education.
Timeline for story
Childhood - Grew up in Annapolis, Maryland, influenced by a
legacy of public service.
Undergraduate Years - Attended Brown University, studied
History of American Education.
Early Adulthood - Engaged in human rights advocacy in Burma.
Teaching at MetWest - Began teaching character development
and purpose-driven courses.
2015 - Earned a fellowship at Stanford University’s
d.school.
2015 - Collaborated with Bill Damon’s Center on Adolescence.
2015 - Founded Wayfinder to focus on SEL and purpose-driven
learning.
Post-2015 - Expanded Wayfinder to serve 1,500 schools
globally.
Present - Leads Wayfinder, living in Central Oregon with his
family.
