What do we mean when we say…
"Equipping Faith-Driven Business Operators for Global Impact."
Frontier Operators is the Talent Division of a non-profit firm called Pragma Advisors. Pragma performs research that unlocks investor interest in frontier markets, and provides pathways for business advisors and mentors to begin using their skills in the game. Frontier Operators was created to develop the next generation of faithful and skilled business operators who can leverage catalytic investment capital to bless frontier markets.
Pragma Advisors Vision
To see 1,000 faith-driven business operators leveraging catalytic capital to build economies, develop communities, and bless people living in frontier markets—where the name of Jesus is rarely heard.
Pragma Advisors Purpose
To mobilize talent, advisors, and investors to support companies that help people flourish in frontier markets.
The Mission of
FrontierOperators
To equip and mobilize faith-driven business professionals to become high-impact business operators. We empower the next generation by developing their business acumen, spiritual formation, and intercultural agility to serve and scale companies in frontier markets.
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Learn from more than 1,000 years of experience from nearly 50 mentors, instructors, guest speakers, and frontier company operators.
Patrick Lowndes
Founder & CEO
Frontier Operators
Patrick is the co-founder & former CEO of VendorHawk, which, by God's grace, was acquired by ServiceNow in April 2018. He and his small, but mighty team had built up a new industry category to help companies manage the sprawl of SaaS subscriptions in their businesses. Read more about the acquisition here.
He loves the power of prayer and in helping businesses strategically focused on being a light to the surrounding marketplace in the US and abroad where the Gospel is seldom on display.
Program Role
Faculty, Business Coach, Fractional Chief Impact Officer, Author
Steve Lavey
Serial CFO & Board Member
Patrick Lowndes
Founder & CEO
Katrina Aitken
Founder & CEO
Ray Barreth
CEO & Business Coach
Christeen Rico
Founder & CEO
Matt Klakalak
CEO
Melody Murray
Director, Global Programs
Ken Freire
Program Advisor
Curt Laird
CEO & Author
Malcom Johnston
Director & Network Founder
Marshall Smith
Managing Director & Investor
James Dirksen
President & GTM Advisor
Cody Rodriguez
CEO & Investor
Laurie Bruner
CEO & Consultant
Larry W. Sharp
Author, Professor & Coach
Ryan Mehaffey
Founder & CEO
Evan Kubicek
Faculty & Fractional Chief Impact Officer
Patrick Lai
Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship
Jenny Nuccio
Founder & CEO
Bob Reader
Entrepreneurship Faculty & IP Lawyer
Todd Olsen
Managing Partner & Mentor Coach
Bob Davis
CEO & Investor
Don Simmons
Founder & CEO
Dave Hasz
President & CEO
Robert Bush
Managing Director & Coach
Equipping Faith Driven Business Operators
for Global Impact
We equip faith-driven leaders to execute with excellence, lead with resilience, and create lasting impact in the world’s most challenging markets. Whether you’re just starting your journey or ready to elevate your leadership capability, we’re here to shape your potential to scale businesses that bless people.
Why run companies in
Frontier Markets?
"Frontier" means going to the edge of something, as in when the United States moved to the "western frontier." Economically speaking, emerging markets are less developed and more risky to do business. But where there's risk there's also opportunity. We believe transformative business operators can develop economies through innovation, and create jobs that bless people.
We develop high-capacity business leaders who align their skills, purpose, and faith to create tangible impact in these Frontier Markets. We prioritize places where very few Christians have served, such as North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
Where are You
On Your Journey?
University Student
Recent Grad/
Young Professional
< 3 yrs experience
Experienced Professional
3-15 yrs experience
Seasoned Business
Operator/Leader
15+ yrs experience
Serving as a Mentor
or Interim Operator
You’ve been there, done that. You’ve built a business, seen struggle and success, and want to give back to help the next generation of business operators. Consider serving as a mentor for the Forge program. Many seasoned operators coach virtually, while some get operationally involved. Consider traveling to a Frontier market for a short or mid-term assignment.
Explore the Collective
& Internships
At Frontier Operators, we have several ways to engage with you while still in school. Get inspired by joining our monthly Pragma Meeting calls to hear directly from Frontier Operators building companies in hard places. Are you interested in internship opportunities? Reach out and let us know what you’re looking for. Graduating seniors should join the waitlist for the Collective.
You’re hungry to grow, eager to learn, and ready to be sharpened. The Collective is where Developing Operators begin—finding their edge, building resilience, and learning to execute with excellence. This virtual program is what young professionals need to stand out, develop their edge, and think globally with their peers about leveraging business for the Kingdom.
You’ve been in the field, faced challenges, and achieved results. Now it’s time to be refined. The Forge is where Rising Operators (3-15 years experience) are shaped into proficient & faithful leaders, ready to make a Kingdom impact in Frontier Markets. This in-person cohort creates life-long friendships, immersive experiences, and global travel.
Explore the Collective
& Internships
At Frontier Operators, we have several ways to engage with you while still in school. Get inspired by joining our monthly Pragma Meeting calls to hear directly from Frontier Operators building companies in hard places. Are you interested in internship opportunities? Reach out and let us know what you’re looking for. Graduating seniors should join the waitlist for the Collective.
