Kepler U was founded by Kepler in 2020 in an effort to help shape the future of our industry with talented marketers from a wide breadth of backgrounds and lived experiences. Applying our 10+ years of experience in the sector, our team is uniquely positioned to help educate and train students to help them secure roles within the digital marketing industry.
Designed to meet industry barriers.
The Kepler team sought to close a persistent gap in the digital marketing industry that excluded — and continues to exclude — people from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
In recognizing that a lack of foundational hard skills are often the “biggest barriers to opportunities” in the industry, the team built a curriculum to provide training in those skills alongside the real-world experience that companies seek out in their applicant pool.
“This is not a talent gap. It is an access gap.”
“When Kepler’s leadership looked honestly at who enters this industry — and who never gets the chance — the barrier was never talent or ambition. It was access.”
Justin Roberts, Program Director, Kepler U
From impulse to infrastructure
2020
Kepler’s DEI initiative takes shape, led by Justin Roberts and backed by Kepler founder Rick Greenberg.
May 2021
Kepler Academy launches. The Cohort 1 pilot graduates 16. The COOP Careers partnership is in place from the first cohort.
2022–2023
Word of mouth and COOP referrals grow cohorts from 31 to 97 graduates.
2024
AdExchanger names the program its Best DEI Initiative.
2025
Cohort 9 carries the rebrand from Kepler Academy to Kepler U. Tides Foundation confirms the Kepler U Program Fund.
2026
Cohort 11 graduates 91. The alumni survey and program data system are built.
2027
Orbit, the Kepler U talent collective, launches. Cohort 12 begins in late March.
Our partnership with COOP Careers
COOP Careers is a national nonprofit working to overcome underemployment among first-generation and low-income college graduates. 77% of Kepler U graduates came to us through COOP, and COOP has hired more than 20 Kepler U graduates as digital marketing instructors.
Justin Roberts is an Associate Vice President of Culture & Inclusion at Kepler. An award-winning advocate and published thought leader, he drives equity and talent development through programs like Kepler U and employee resource groups, empowering underrepresented professionals to excel in digital media.
J.J. El-Far is the Program Manager of Kepler U, where she leads fundraising and partnerships, opening pathways into digital media for early-career professionals. A nonprofit development strategist with two decades in arts, culture, education and social justice, she is the founder of FRANK Creative Solutions and serves on the boards of Root Quarterly, the Parent Artist Advocacy League and Kaimera Productions.
Advisory Board
Remy Stiles
Global CEO, Kepler Group
Rick Greenberg
Chief Executive Officer, kyu Collective
Hannah Lentz
Chief People Officer, kyu Collective
Justin Roberts
Program Director, Kepler U
Garrett Dale
Co-Founder & Chief Media Officer, Kepler Group
Kierstin Anderson
Associate Director, Kepler Group
Will Shanley
Head of Talent Acquisition, Kepler Group
Rachel Rasmusson
Agency Partnerships, Google
Jennifer Matos
Director of Employer Partnerships, COOP Careers
