Meet the Founder
Hans Hageman
Princeton & Columbia Law grad. Former U.S. Senate counsel. Founded 3 schools. Led a $14.5M youth organization. Raised $20M+ in grants and campaigns. Now building the AI coach he wished he'd had.
Why I Built Forge
After 30 years of leading organizations, founding schools, and coaching leaders through impossible situations, I noticed a pattern: the people who succeeded weren't the most talented. They were the ones who had someone in their corner who remembered.
Someone who remembered what worked last time. Someone who noticed when they were falling into old patterns. Someone who wouldn't let them quietly give up on the commitments they'd made to themselves.
I've been that person for hundreds of leaders-from teen boys in maximum-security facilities to nonprofit executives managing multi-million dollar budgets. But I'm one person. I can only be in so many rooms.
Forge is my answer: an AI coach trained on the frameworks, instincts, and approaches I've developed over three decades-with the one thing no human coach can offer: perfect, permanent memory of every conversation.
30 Years of Leadership
From the courtroom to the classroom to the community garden-every experience trained the coach.
1986-1991
Justice & Public Service
Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan, then Chief Counsel at the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem. Served as Minority Chief Counsel on the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution.
1992-2009
Building Schools from Scratch
Co-founded the East Harlem School at Exodus House with $50K, growing it to a $20M capital campaign. Led Boys & Girls Harbor-a $14.5M organization serving 2,500 children-eliminating a seven-figure deficit.
2002-2012
Global Education
Founded the first free independent school for Hindu and Muslim girls in Lucknow, India. Co-founded the Salus Foundation, expanding programs to 3 countries and impacting 1,200+ students.
2010-2018
Wellness & Entrepreneurship
Established Harlem's leading women's wellness studio. Coached award-winning professionals, from makeup artists to Olympic athletes. Led nonprofits in Kenya and Uganda.
2018-2024
Community & Food Justice
Directed garden-based education and food justice programs. Led the Tutwiler Community Education Center in the Mississippi Delta, impacting 250+ residents. Achieved Yass Prize semifinalist status (top 1.2% of 2,700 applicants).
2021-Present
Querencia Leadership & Forge
Leading breathwork certification for incarcerated youth, wellness programs for violence intervention teams, and now building Forge-an AI coach trained on everything learned in 30+ years of leadership.
Education & Certifications
B.A. Politics
Princeton University
Juris Doctor
Columbia Law School
Certified Breathwork Coach
Dr. Belisa Vranich, Patrick McKeown
Certified NLP Instructor
Neurolinguistic Communications
Certified Trauma Professional
Crisis Communications
Permaculture Design Consultant
Certified
Recognition
Yass Prize Semifinalist (top 1.2% of 2,700 applicants)
Robin Hood Foundation Heroes Award
Essence Magazine Honoree
Black Princeton Alumni Distinguished Service Award
Network Journal's 40 Under 40
Recognized by the French Minister of Education
Ready to Work With a Coach Who's Been There?
30 years of leadership experience, distilled into an AI coach that remembers your story and helps you become unshakeable.