Nick Kislinger

Nick Kislinger is the Executive Director of Summit Impact, where he mobilizes a global network of entrepreneurs, investors, and change-makers to address urgent social and environmental issues, including climate resilience, education, and disaster response. At the heart of his work is a deep commitment to service, building initiatives that create lasting, measurable change. His career is focused on strategically advising high-net-worth individuals and organizations on strategic philanthropy, and scaling high-impact initiatives across corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors.

Nick’s comprehensive background in social innovation and leadership includes high-profile roles in both government and philanthropy. He previously served as the Chief of Staff to California’s Secretary of Education, where he helped lead the Race to the Top initiative and expanded digital access for students. Following his government service, he co-founded Impact Hub Los Angeles, securing fundraising for the co-working space dedicated to purpose-driven people. He also worked at the Entertainment Industry Foundation, where he developed national campaigns tackling critical issues like childhood hunger, STEM education, and the arts by leveraging media and celebrity influence.

Driven by a passion for mental health, Nick launched Breathwrk, a groundbreaking app that democratized access to breathwork, growing to 50 million downloads and 3.3 million TikTok followers. To deepen his impact in this area, he pursued a Master's in Clinical Psychology, and volunteers as a clinical trainee working directly with adolescents who struggle with suicidal ideation. He has a history with the Summit community, having previously curated the health and wellness program for Summit Series from 2014 to 2020. Nick earned a B.A. from Pitzer College in Organizational Ecology.