Aidan Kestigian

COO/CSO at Thinker, an education non-profit.

United States

About

I lead strategy and operations at Thinker (fka ThinkerAnalytix), where we're teaching the thinking habits that makes civil discourse possible. As curriculum lead, I design educational tools that teach habits like clear reasoning and fair interpretation before students enter dialogue. Our evidence-based approach has reached 40,000+ students since 2020, with partnerships at 70+ colleges and universities in 2024-2025. The results are measurable: 12-16% learning gains and 93% faculty retention. Right now our team is particularly focused on how AI can coach (not replace) students through tough reasoning, developing tools that provide real-time metacognitive feedback as students build thinking habits through sustained practice. As COO/CSO I also dabble in growth strategy, development, Board operations, grant-writing, HR, and all the other things that make a nonprofit run. Let's connect!

Experience

  • Thinker (6 yrs 9 mos)
    • Chief Operating Officer & Chief Strategy Officer
      Aug 2025 - Present · 11 mos

    • Vice President
      Aug 2022 - Aug 2025 · 3 yrs 1 mo

    • Director of Programs
      Oct 2019 - Aug 2022 · 2 yrs 11 mos

  • Fellow at Harvard University
    Jul 2021 - Present · 5 yrs

  • Visiting Assistant Professor at Wheaton College Massachusetts
    Aug 2019 - Jun 2023 · 3 yrs 11 mos

  • Program Manager at Tufts University
    Apr 2018 - Oct 2019 · 1 yr 7 mos