BestPrep

BestPrep prepares students with business, career and financial literacy skills through experiential learning programs that inspire success.
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BestPrep, a Minnesota nonprofit, engages 55,000 students in grades K-12 each year in business, career and financial literacy education. More than 5,000 professional volunteers help BestPrep collaborate with educators to bridge classroom curriculum and the world of business outside of the classroom, enriching the teaching and learning experience.

05/29/2026

BestPrep’s 2026 Annual Luncheon was a success! 👏

Congratulations again to our top four award recipients:
🏆 Kyra Shah — Don Friborg Student of the Year
🏆 Angela Zappa — Carpenter Educator of the Year
🏆 Eric Forstrom — Bunzel Volunteer of the Year
🏆 Carly Baker, CPA, MBA — Board Member of Distinction

Thank you to our keynote speaker, Michael E. Jordan; event emcee, Jason DeRusha; musical entertainment from PiM Modern Arts High School; and panelists Bella Nhi Lam and Mohan Atkuri for sharing their experiences, perspectives, and inspiration with our attendees.

A special thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, educators, students, and supporters who helped make this event possible. Your partnership continues to create opportunities that inspire the next generation of leaders.

05/27/2026

We’re excited to announce that one of Minnesota’s own InvestWrite winners has earned national recognition!

Rishi, a student at Wayzata High School, placed 7th in the nation for the high school division. Rishi participated in the InvestWrite essay competition after completing The Stock Market Game, a virtual simulation teaching students how to invest in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

Rishi shares his experience, stating, “Being in The Stock Market Game competition felt like a nine-week race for me. Everything combined taught me that building a stable, diversified portfolio will help me handle the rough patches on track, and that investing is not an easy race, but with the right amount of preparation, I can win the financial race in my future.”

🔗Read more about Rishi’s accomplishment here: https://bestprep.org/bestprep-student-recognized-nationally/

05/18/2026

As we look ahead to our Annual Luncheon this week, we’re excited to celebrate a tradition rooted in recognition and impact!

In 1977, BestPrep founder Bob Kaitz introduced the “Teacher of the Season” award, honoring outstanding educators throughout the year. Today, that tradition lives as the Teacher of the Year Award, alongside additional recognitions including Volunteer of the Year, Board Member of Distinction, and Student of the Year.

We can’t wait to come together to celebrate the individuals who make a difference every day through BestPrep.

Hope to see you there!

[Photo: Although it’s not 1977, we did find this in our archives from 1979!]

05/15/2026

Yesterday, BestPrep's Emerging Leaders Alliance and Minnesota Business Venture (MBV) Student Ambassadors came together for their inaugural networking event! 🎉

Comprised of young professionals and high school/college MBV alum, these aspiring leaders made meaningful connections and even got to create a mini business plan and pitch it to the group! The collaboration was the perfect embodiment of connecting the future workforce with the business world. 💼

05/14/2026

BestPrep received a visit from Old National Bank today and graciously gifted us with a $15,000 grant to support our programs!

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to Minnesota students.

05/13/2026

We’re proud to honor our Educator of the Year, Angie Zappa, from Irondale High School! 🎉

Angie has been involved with BestPrep for 15 years, incorporating our programs into her curriculum to make a lasting impact on her students. She invites guest speakers into her classroom, giving presentations on a variety of topics ranging from career readiness to financial literacy, utilizes mock interviews, and gives her students an opportunity to connect with business professionals through our eMentors program.

Through these experiences, her students build strong professional skills, expand career awareness, and gain a competitive advantage as they prepare to enter the workforce.

Thank you, Angie, for always putting students first ✨

05/12/2026

We’d like to take a moment to recognize and thank the 504 schools we worked with last year!

From where we started to where we are today and the future we’re shaping, our partnerships with schools across Minnesota continue to create a lasting impact. These collaborations help bring real-world experiences into the classroom that prepares students for future success ✨

05/08/2026

Recognizing exceptional leadership and service!

We’re proud to honor our Board Member of Distinction to Carly Baker, Senior Audit Manager of Market and Counterparty Risk Management at Wells Fargo 🎉

Carly has been involved with BestPrep and specifically the Minnesota Business Venture program for 15 years, beginning as a Residence Business Leader (RBL) and continuing to volunteer in various roles each year. She’s supported MBV as an RBL, contributed to the MBV Advisory Committee, a breakout speaker, Business Plan Judge, mock interviewer, and serves on the BestPrep Board of Directors.

Thank you, Carly, for your continued commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders!

05/07/2026

Celebrating outstanding dedication and impact!

We’re proud to recognize BestPrep’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year, Eric Forstrom, Executive Director of Customer Treatment Risk Program at Wells Fargo 🎉

Eric has been a dedicated BestPrep volunteer for more than 10 years, bringing enthusiasm and expertise to programs including eMentors, Classroom Plus, Cloud Coach, Financial Matters, and Minnesota Business Venture, his longtime favorite. As a dynamic Classroom Plus and Financial Matters speaker, he presents to students on careers, public speaking, leadership, business etiquette, and financial literacy. Eric’s involvement with Minnesota Business Venture is especially robust, where he has served as a keynote and breakout speaker and as a Business Plan Judge. He has also supported students as a mock interviewer. And most recently, he volunteered in the eMentors program as a mentor for a student at Osseo Senior High School.

Thank you, Eric, for your continued commitment to preparing students for success! ✨

05/06/2026

We’re proud to recognize BestPrep’s 2026 Student of the Year, Kyra Shah, a Minnesota Business Venture (MBV) alum and current student at the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management! 🎉

Kyra’s journey with BestPrep reflects her dedication to growth, leadership, and service from attending MBV as a student camper to serving as a CEO (camp leader) for three years. She continues to shape the program as a member of the MBV Ambassadors Committee, contributing to key decisions that enhance the student experience.

Her impact extends beyond camp, volunteering at major events, sharing insights as a 2024 Educational Forum panelist, and supporting our mission as the 2024–2025 Communications and Events Intern.

Kyra embodies what it means to lead with purpose. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! 👏🏼

Address

7100 Northland Cir N, #306
Brooklyn Park, MN
55428

Website

http://www.bestprep.org/

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