Special Executive Leadership Announcement
Picture: Russ Gregg and Ben Lindquist pictured in front of Downtown Minneapolis Skyline
In August 2026, the Spreading Hope Network (SHN) completed a much-anticipated transition. Through God’s providence, the Network secured two key executive leaders, a full-time President and its first CEO, to spearhead the work of bringing remarkable classical Christian education to low-income urban communities nationwide.
After 26 years at the helm of the Hope Academy, a classical Christian school with 700 students in grades K-12 and a national following, Russ Gregg has become the Network’s full-time President. In this dedicated capacity, he is enabling SHN to transition into a season of abundant resourcing and vigorous growth.
At the same time, after helping SHN develop a business plan to guide its path through 2035, Ben Lindquist has joined the Network as its first CEO. In this capacity, Lindquist brings 31 years of experience as an urban school operator, accomplished education entrepreneur, and venture philanthropist with a wealth of experience gained at the Walton Family Foundation, Charter School Growth Fund, Kern Family Foundation, Arcadia Education Group, and Chicago International Charter School.
Over the last 3 years, Gregg has prepared his successor, Kelvin Simms, to become Hope Academy’s new Head of School. Recently, Hope Academy completed a $45 million capital campaign to expand its footprint for growth in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis. With these milestones complete, God has called Gregg to a new kingdom assignment.
Gregg observed, “Hope Academy is in excellent hands. America’s cities are ripe for a God-centered movement of school founders, gospel patrons, community connectors, church pastors, and inspired partners locking arms to spread God’s hope across our urban neighborhoods. It is time to give my full attention to the Network’s national growth.”
In his new role with Spreading Hope, Lindquist will continue to draw heavily on five years of lessons learned alongside his partner, Erik Twist, and other talented colleagues working to establish Arcadia Education Group. Through its national reach, Arcadia is fueling the renewal and growth of classical education.
Lindquist said, “It has been such a joy to get to know Russ Gregg, Michael Bolland, and other members of Spreading Hope the past year. I have so appreciated their radical reliance on God, sharp focus on serving low-income urban families, and transformative work spreading the life-giving impact of classical Christian education.”
Since 2018, the Spreading Hope Network has helped over 20 dedicated founders launch new classical Christian schools in low-income communities. Now, SHN’s leadership aims to bring a remarkable education to dozens of new communities and tens of thousands more families.
Tragically, a century of bureaucratic institutional failure in U.S. cities – punctuated by the prolonged closure of schools during the Pandemic – left far too many urban neighborhoods bereft of educational opportunities. Without access to quality schools that provide a safe harbor, far too many families have been deprived of hope for their children’s future.
Expanding a national network to at least 45 schools and 10,000 students by 2035 will be no small feat. To the contrary, it will require all the experience Gregg and Lindquist can muster from their combined careers, which span over 65 years of experience in ministry, philanthropy, missional non-profit stewardship, and education entrepreneurship.
If you are interested in joining Lindquist and Gregg to advance SHN’s inspiring cause, please contact Lindquist by email at [email protected] or by cell phone at 720-933-1699.