Our Values
Our Mission
Our Approach
Our Mission
At The Foundry Collective, our mission is to ignite innovation and empower creative thinkers by providing the tools, community, and infrastructure needed to transform bold ideas into impactful realities. We exist to forge meaningful connections, fuel collaboration, and shape ventures that drive cultural and economic progress.
Our Vision
Our Approach
Our Mission
We envision a world where collaboration is the cornerstone of progress, future where entrepreneurs, designers, technologists, and changemakers come together to build not only great products and businesses, but resilient communities. The Foundry Collective is a catalyst — a modern crucible where ideas are molded into movements.
Our Approach
Our Approach
Our Approach
At The Foundry Collective, we don’t just support ideas, we support the people behind them. Our approach is rooted in community, equity, and sustainable growth. We create spaces where creativity thrives, collaboration is the norm, and underrepresented voices are prioritized.
Meet the Founders
Ariel M. Barr
Ariel M. Barr is a powerhouse of multidisciplinary leadership, blending strategic thinking, heart-centered service, and cultural awareness into every project she touches. With a rich background in education, operations, and organizational psychology, Ariel has carved out a space at the intersection of public policy, Christian leadership, and executive strategy.
A natural visionary, Ariel has always been drawn to building systems that support people, especially those often left on the margins of traditional entrepreneurship spaces. Her freelance venture, Administration w/ Arie, was more than a service; it was a platform for small business owners, creatives, and faith-based leaders to find clarity, structure, and empowerment. That same ethos is the foundation of The Foundry Collective, a space where ideas don’t just survive, they scale.
Currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Public Policy & Administration at Northwestern University, Ariel combines her policy acumen with real-world implementation. She brings a rare blend of empathy, excellence, and executive vision to the Foundry, guiding strategy, program development, and long-term impact planning.
A sought-after collaborator and a compassionate leader, Ariel is committed to making innovation equitable, sustainable, and deeply human.
Xavier D. Pete
Xavier D. Pete is the engine behind The Foundry Collective’s operational brilliance and innovation infrastructure. With a rich history of leadership across both ministry and the marketplace, Xavier brings a decade of expertise in logistics, team development, and strategic systems that put people first.
From serving as an Executive Assistant at a boutique event firm to managing high-performing teams in fast-paced environments, Xavier has consistently demonstrated a rare blend of composure, clarity, and mission-focused execution. His leadership style is marked by emotional intelligence, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to building structures that serve both purpose and people.
Xavier is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, deepening his understanding of how human behavior and business strategy intersect to drive meaningful outcomes. This academic focus enhances his already intuitive approach to systems thinking, team leadership, and organizational development.
At The Foundry, Xavier leads innovation strategy, internal operations, and the development of accessible frameworks for early-stage entrepreneurs. He is a community-minded builder, passionate about mentorship, empowerment, and creating scalable tools that elevate visionary ideas into actionable impact.
With bilingual fluency and a strong faith-driven ethic, Xavier represents the soul of The Foundry’s commitment to inclusive, sustainable progress—bringing both vision and infrastructure to life behind the scenes.