Our Story
Kindness starts here – Small Acts. Lasting Impact.
Our Vision
We are rooted in the belief that one meaningful experience can shift a young person’s perspective and potentially their life path.
Why We Do It
Extensive research highlights the challenges many young people face today – especially those from underserved communities with limited access to enriching opportunities and supportive relationships.
At Aspen Spark, we believe that even brief, kindness-centered experiences can provide meaningful breaks from these pressures. These moments help young people build optimism, resilience, and fresh perspectives that support their emotional growth and wellbeing.
- Limited Access to Experiences: Many youth, especially those experiencing unstable housing, lack enriching opportunities and positive adult relationships. (Search Institute 2020)
- Cultural Negativity: Youth grow up often surrounded by divisive and discouraging messaging instead of positive, possibility-focused narratives.
- High Youth Loneliness Rate: 79% of teens and young adults report feeling isolated. (Cigna U.S. Loneliness Index 2023)
- Systemic Inequities: Economic and social disparities significantly restrict opportunities for youth to engage in extracurricular, social, and learning activities critical for resilience and growth. (The Annie E. Casey Foundation)
- Equity in Opportunity: Ensuring all youth, regardless of background, have equitable access to learning and enrichment activities critical for community wellbeing and youth success. (Aspen Institute, Rethinking Access Initiative)
Why it matters:
- Micro-moments change trajectories: Happiness and resilience grow from small, meaningful experiences that spark hope and shift perspectives.
- Kindness uplifts wellbeing: Acts of service fuel trust, belonging, and optimism.
- Identity grows through story: When young people see themselves in positive stories, they begin to imagine new futures.
- Developmental assets matter: Youth thrive when they feel connected, valued, and supported. (Search Institute)
About The Founder
A spark of kindness can light a lifetime of impact.
Education and philanthropy have always been part of Mark’s story. His father left a lasting legacy through decades of supporting education-focused nonprofits for children in need — beginning with building and supporting an orphanage and school in Vietnam after his military service. This history of service became a spark for Mark and his brothers, Ray and Michael, inspiring each to carry the legacy forward in their own ways.
An investment banker turned film and television producer, Mark spent nearly two decades in finance with Banc of America Securities and Lehman Brothers before founding Capfi Partners. In 2022, he followed his spark for storytelling and co-founded Electromagnetic Productions (EMP) with veteran producer Roger Birnbaum, creating premium film and television content. EMP’s executive team has produced more than 100 feature films and television projects for major studios, networks, and global streaming platforms.
The idea for what would become Aspen Spark began in 2017, when Mark met Sal Khan at the Aspen IDEAS Festival and was introduced to the revolutionary vision behind Khan Academy – providing free, high-quality education for anyone with access to a phone or laptop. Moved by this vision, Mark supported the platform by helping amplify its reach through interviews with Aspen Institute leaders.
True to his path, Mark continues to explore new ways to spark curiosity and learning – creating acts of kindness and shared experiences that bring together storytelling and education to help overlooked youth feel seen, valued, and inspired.