Management
Don Murphy, Founder and CEO
Don Murphy is the founder and CEO of Ky'Orda. His journey to building Ky'Orda began with failure: he failed organic chemistry twice at UC San Diego before discovering a transformative learning approach that connected chemistry to cosmic origins and personal meaning. That breakthrough took him from failing to straight A's and inspired Ky'Orda's revolutionary pedagogy.
Don brings 30 years of executive leadership transforming major institutions. As Deputy Director of the U.S. National Park Service, he managed 23,000 employees and a $2.3 billion budget. As President and CEO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, he successfully negotiated complete forgiveness of $50 million in debt, saving the institution. As Director of California State Parks, he led the system through California's worst budget crisis while saving $10 million through innovation.
Don is a UCSD Top 50 Alumni honoree and former UCSD Foundation Trustee. He studied for his PhD in Physiology and Pharmacology at UC San Diego, where he also earned his bachelor's degree in biology. He currently hosts and executive produces the Nature and Science Podcast.
Don's mission with Ky'Orda is personal: to help thousands of capable students overcome the barrier that organic chemistry's 40-60% fail rate creates for medical and science careers.
Anna-Paula Murphy, Msc
Anna Murphy is a founding board member and COO of Ky'Orda. Her background in psychology and educational marketing make her a perfect fit for Ky'Orda. She earned her masters degree in psychiatry from Kings College London and her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburg.
Our Advisors
Tim Murphy
Dr. Zafra Lerman
Dr. Zafra Lerman
Tim Murphy Advises Ky'Orda on marketing strategy and social media. Tim earned his bachelors degree in History and Political Science from William and Mary.
Dr. Zafra Lerman
Dr. Zafra Lerman
Dr. Zafra Lerman
Dr. Zafra Lerman is an internationally recognized chemist, educator, and humanitarian. She is President of the Malta Conferences Foundation, which promotes peace by bringing together scientists from otherwise hostile countries to foster international scientific collaboration.
Dr. Lerman has dedicated her career to improving chemistry educa
Dr. Zafra Lerman is an internationally recognized chemist, educator, and humanitarian. She is President of the Malta Conferences Foundation, which promotes peace by bringing together scientists from otherwise hostile countries to foster international scientific collaboration.
Dr. Lerman has dedicated her career to improving chemistry education and making science accessible to all students. Her expertise in chemistry pedagogy and decades of experience teaching organic chemistry inform Ky'Orda's approach to making complex chemistry concepts understandable and engaging. She advises Ky'Orda on curriculum development, pedagogical methodology, and chemistry education best practices.
Dr. Dan Ariely
Dr. Zafra Lerman
Dr. Dan Ariely
Dr. Dan Ariely is a James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University and a New York Times bestselling author of Predictably Irrational, The Upside of Irrationality, and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty. His research on decision-making, motivation, and behavior change has been featured in his popular TED t
Dr. Dan Ariely is a James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University and a New York Times bestselling author of Predictably Irrational, The Upside of Irrationality, and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty. His research on decision-making, motivation, and behavior change has been featured in his popular TED talks, which have been viewed millions of times.
Dr. Ariely advises Ky'Orda on applying behavioral science principles to adaptive learning. His expertise in how people make decisions, form habits, and change behaviors directly informs Ky'Orda's approach to personalized chemistry education. He is also co-founder of several companies that implement insights from behavioral science in real-world applications.