The people behind First Course.

Chris leads Forward Endeavors, the nonprofit behind Wrigley Coffee and Common Ground Grief. He is a grief educator and Fellow in Thanatology with more than 25 years of experience in education, ministry and funeral service. He co-founded Common Ground Grief. Chris helped dream up First Course so more Long Beach students get a strong first job and someone in their corner.

Phil Hambrick is fueled by serving others. After more than a decade helping build an e-commerce and software company with its original founding team, he left a comfortable career to pursue greater fulfillment in nonprofit work. He helped grow the company from zero to a $100 million valuation, partnering with developers to simplify operations that moved more than 3,500 orders a day from one location while delivering over 95% on time. His focus was always the same: remove unnecessary steps so people can do more meaningful work. Today, as Director of Operations at Forward Endeavors, he puts that experience behind the people supporting grieving families and preparing young people for their first jobs. For Phil, the value of a well-built system is the human connection it makes room for: more time to listen, more capacity to care, and more people reached. Also a strength and conditioning coach, he believes strong foundations help people do remarkable things.

Robert runs the coffee program at Wrigley and leads hands-on barista training, from pulling shots to steaming milk to working a rush. He knows the café and the people behind it, and he represents Wrigley across Long Beach.

Will leads the First Course curriculum and facilitates every session. He is earning his Master of Social Work through The Ohio State University and has worked with Forward Endeavors and Common Ground Grief since May 2026. Will tells every student the same thing: you get out of this what you put in.

Co-Pastor of City Church of Long Beach and co-founder of Small Church Big Table, a nonprofit that advances inclusion and justice in faith communities.

Andrew founded Wrigley Coffee in 2022 while leading Family Promise of the South Bay. He has more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership, including serving as Executive Director of several organizations. He now leads Impact Group Consulting and is shaping the First Course growth plan.

An appellate attorney in Los Angeles who has served on the board since Forward Endeavors was founded.

A broker associate at Keller Williams Pacific Estates since 2013 after 25 years in management at United Airlines. Katie chairs the Long Beach Airport Advisory Commission and is a UCLA graduate and Leadership Long Beach alum.

A project manager with expertise in global health strategy and partnerships across sectors.

A school counselor since 1985 with a master’s in educational psychology and counseling from CSULB. Nancy has volunteered with Camp Fire for more than 20 years and serves on the boards of Young Horizons and International City Theater.