Member Spotlight: Annie Kearney, Founder, North Shore Prep + Pathways

  

Lake/Forest Lake Bluff Chamber:  Tell us about North Shore Prep + Pathways and the unique services you offer to students and graduates seeking careers?

Annie Kearney: North Shore Prep + Pathways helps students and young adults identify their strengths, explore meaningful career paths, and build the skills needed to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world.

Through individualized coaching, I help students gain clarity about who they are, what motivates them, and how to make informed decisions about college, careers, and life after graduation. Services include career exploration, resume and LinkedIn development, interview preparation, college and major guidance, and professional skill-building.

What makes my approach unique is that I focus not only on academic achievement, but also on purpose, confidence, and real-world readiness. While many services focus exclusively on college admissions, I help students think beyond acceptance letters and begin building the skills and self-awareness that will serve them throughout their lives and careers.

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LF/LB: Can you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in the education field?

AK:  I started my career as a high school English teacher, and I loved it. My career later took me into the education and technology sectors, including roles at LinkedIn and Amazon, where I managed global talent development programs.

Throughout those experiences, one theme remained constant: helping people grow and reach their potential. During my time at Amazon, I was deeply involved in recruiting, talent development, leadership training, and professional growth programs. It gave me a front-row seat to what helps young people thrive in highly competitive environments.

What I observed was that when everyone in the room was talented, highly educated, and capable, the people who accelerated their careers most quickly were the ones who actively sought mentorship, demonstrated humility and ownership, and communicated clearly and effectively. North Shore Prep + Pathways is a culmination of those experiences, helping students not only chart a path forward, but also develop the confidence, character, and self-awareness to succeed wherever that path leads.

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LF/LB: What is your hope and vision for the future of North Shore Prep + Pathways?

AK:  My vision is for North Shore Prep + Pathways to become a trusted resource for students and families throughout the North Shore community, and particularly my hometown, LF/LB.

I hope to expand opportunities for workshops, school partnerships, and community programming that help students prepare not only for college admissions, internships, and first jobs, but for meaningful and fulfilling lives. While the programs may grow, the mission remains the same: helping students gain confidence, discover their strengths, and move forward with purpose.

Some of my favorite moments are when a student I’ve helped with a resume, job search strategy, and interview preparation reaches out to tell me they got the opportunity they were hoping for. Those moments are reminders of why this work matters and the impact that guidance, encouragement, and preparation can have on a young person’s future.

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LF/LB:  How does North Shore Prep + Pathways give back to the community?

 AK:  We are proud to support the Lake Forest High School Foundation and the incredible opportunities it creates for local students, including the Business Incubator program and Pitch Night.

These experiences help students develop skills that extend far beyond the classroom, including creativity, resilience, public speaking, teamwork, and entrepreneurship. They also provide students with the confidence that comes from tackling meaningful challenges and seeing what they are capable of accomplishing.

I’m extraordinarily grateful to be part of a community that invests so deeply in its young people, and supporting those efforts in any way I can is a privilege.

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LF/LB: Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or North Shore Prep + Pathways?

AK:  I believe every student has unique gifts, strengths, and potential. Sometimes they simply need the right guidance and encouragement to recognize them.

North Shore Prep + Pathways was founded on the belief that success is not about following a predetermined path—it is about helping students discover a path that is meaningful to them. My hope is that every student who walks through my door leaves with greater confidence, clarity, and belief in what is possible for their future.

I feel incredibly grateful to do this work and to serve students and families throughout this amazing community.