Business Spotlight with Allen Ruppel from Unity In Hope School System

In this another inspiring Success Chronicles episode, Jackie Zach interviews Allen Ruppel, co-founder and president of the Unity in Hope School System, as he shares his transformative journey in education and nonprofit work. Ruppel mentions his extensive travels, which have enriched his worldview and inspired him to break down stereotypes. He also recounts the founding of a tuition-free school for religious minorities in Islamabad, Pakistan, dedicated to providing education and essential resources to underserved communities.

Ruppel emphasizes the importance of passion and purpose in business, explaining that true fulfillment comes from believing in one’s mission rather than just focusing on profits. He highlights the challenges of expanding his school while managing a waiting list of 2,000 children. Allen also shares his plans for sustainability and growth through a matching donation initiative for the Bradley Impact Fund, aiming to ensure the longevity of his educational efforts. Throughout the conversation, Ruppel expresses gratitude for his support network, noting that their commitment fuels his determination to create lasting change in the lives of children in need.

Podcast Transcript:

Jackie Zach: I’m excited to have Allen Ruppel, the co-founder and president of the Unity in Hope School System, with us today. He’s also the founder of Unity in Motion, where he served as executive director for its first 20 years. Allen has spent over 15 and a half years at Northwestern Mutual in various management positions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance, graduating summa cum laude. Allen is also a U.S. Navy veteran, having served as a navigation team member on the fifth nuclear submarine to circumnavigate the globe—how cool is that? 

Additionally, he’s the treasurer of the Board of Directors for the HOPE Christian Schools Network, and a member of the boards of the Center for Urban Teaching and Jacarrie Kicks For Kids, Inc. He’s been recognized in the Marquis Who’s Who of Top Executives in the USA and abroad. Allen also co-founded and is the president of the first tuition-free school for religious minorities in Iqbal Town, Islamabad, Pakistan. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf. It’s my pleasure to welcome Allen Ruppel to the show today. Hello, Allen!

Allen Ruppel: Hello! Thank you for that kind welcome and long bio.

Jackie: It’s all very interesting, and I’m really looking forward to learning more about your experiences and the great work you’ve been doing. So, let’s start with your personal story.

Allen: Well, I think the bio sums it up pretty well. I’ve been fortunate enough to see a lot of the world—I’ve visited all 50 U.S. states and 40 countries, really immersing myself in different cultures. When you meet people face to face, rather than just seeing or reading about them, it brings a whole new depth and humanity to those experiences. It’s helped me see people in a way that breaks down the usual stereotypes and “us vs. them” mentality we see so often in the world. That’s probably the biggest takeaway from all my experiences—a broader worldview.

Jackie: Wow, that’s amazing! What’s a funny story your family likes to tell about you—something you’re willing to share?

Allen: Well, my son, who’s 21 now and in college, reminded me of this recently. He works with me during the summer and even traveled with me to Islamabad. When he was younger, he loved sports and played musical instruments. He’d be in all the school performances, but as you know, those concerts can last for hours, while your kid is only on stage for five minutes. So, I’d have my wife go ahead, save me a seat, and text me 10 minutes before his performance. I’d quickly show up, watch him, and then sneak out, telling her I needed to use the restroom. I always saw his part, but I skipped the rest of the concert. My son still jokes about how I never sat through the whole thing!

Jackie: That’s a great story! So, how did your business come about, and when did you realize you had the confidence to run your own?

Allen: Like many in the corporate world, even when you have a great job at a Fortune 100 company like Northwestern Mutual, it can be frustrating. You might have an amazing idea, but in large organizations, you need consensus, and sometimes people overrule or outvote you. I often thought, “If I were in charge, I wouldn’t have to jump through all these hoops.” But once you start your own business, you quickly realize that it’s not easier—it’s harder. You still need those same skills, but now, you’re solely responsible for everything. So while I had confidence and passion, the experience I gained in the corporate world proved to be essential when running my own organization.

Jackie: Absolutely. There’s a big difference between working for someone and being responsible for everything yourself. So, tell us more about your company.

Allen: I’ve founded several organizations, but my most recent venture is the school system in Islamabad, Pakistan. It all started with a free karate class I ran in Milwaukee while working at Northwestern Mutual. Over time, that evolved into a full nonprofit that supports kids from kindergarten through college, particularly those from Milwaukee’s most economically disadvantaged communities, which are predominantly African American. When the first group of students grew up, I handed leadership over to the next generation. Then, I was invited to speak at a university in Congo, which is very poor and corrupt. After facing some threats from rebels there, I met a man from Pakistan whose father had been a pastor for 40 years. He told me about the suffering in Pakistan, a country where 98% of the population is Muslim.

If you’re not Muslim in Pakistan, you don’t get access to basic necessities like education, clean water, or trash removal, which makes it nearly impossible to break the cycle of poverty. We decided to start the first non-denominational Christian school in Iqbal Town, Islamabad, a slum with over 100,000 people. It’s a tuition-free school for religious minorities, but everyone is welcome, including Muslims. We currently have 250 students, and we hope to help these children become future community leaders. We also started a community center that offers microloans for small businesses like sewing centers, recycling, and clean water projects to support the local economy.

Jackie: Wow, what an incredible story.

Allen: That’s the issue. Nobody really knows what’s going on, and it’s incredibly cheap. I don’t take any money from it, because my other ventures and working in a Fortune 100 company have put me in a great financial position. So, we don’t take any money for this. The average salary for a teacher there is $1,000 a year. If you want to send your child to a private school in Pakistan, like a Catholic school, the teacher alone has to pay a year’s salary just to get on the list. That’s not even including fees—you still have to pay after that. Most people can’t afford it.

A few Christian or Hindu families with some money can do it, but even in Christian schools, 75-90% of the students are Muslim. They’re not there for religious reasons; they just want an education. We’re trying to give children who have no other options a chance to break this cycle—and we can do it. Here’s something crazy: we dug a well 230 feet deep, so we provide clean water to the entire neighborhood. We give the children their only nutritious meal of the day, along with backpacks and uniforms. And we can educate a child for a whole year for just $250. It’s all based on philanthropy and donations to make it happen.

Jackie: Wow. Can you share a story where someone pushed or inspired you to keep going, and what impact that had on you?

Allen: Well, when I started on this path, it was after I got a black belt in karate. I live in Wisconsin, so I was looking for something to do in the winter. I got into karate, but while it was a goal I achieved, it didn’t captivate me for long. However, I realized karate could be a great tool for helping kids if you removed the fighting aspect. So, I found a space in a tough area of Milwaukee and started a free karate class. I watched volunteers come in, giving their time to help these kids without expecting any payment, and that was inspiring to me.

Similarly, our business manager in Pakistan works for a Muslim dentist who makes only about $6,000 a year. Despite that, he won’t accept any money for helping these kids. He says he’s better off than they are. What inspires me is when people, despite their own challenges, focus on helping others. It reminds me that while I need to make a living and take care of my family, there are people out there who give from their hearts, and they’re the happiest people I know. It’s not about striving for the next promotion or fancy thing; it’s about something deeper. That’s what I aspire to.

Jackie: Most of the people watching this are business owners. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a business owner?

Allen: The biggest lesson is that it’s not about having the most sales or the highest profits. It’s about believing in what you’re doing. If you’re going to spend so many hours working on your product or service, you need to believe it’s actually helping someone. When you have that passion, sales and profits become by-products of that belief. Without it, you might end up with money and material things, but it won’t bring true satisfaction. I saw this at Northwestern Mutual — the most successful and happy people were those who genuinely believed they were bringing value to their clients.

Jackie: That’s great advice.

Allen: It really is. Don’t fool yourself. If you don’t have that passion, you won’t be happy.

Jackie: I love that — passion and purpose come first, and the money follows. What’s been your biggest challenge in business, and who helped you through it?

Allen: One of the biggest challenges is that, in America, we can stay in our comfort zones — in our neighborhoods, clubs, and social circles. Our worldview often comes from the media we consume, and we tend to gravitate toward what’s familiar. The challenge is getting people to see beyond that, to realize that others aren’t lazy or unwilling to work — they just haven’t been taught. My role is to help break down those fears and stereotypes. When I was in Pakistan, I saw people in extreme poverty, yet they still found ways to help others who were worse off. It was a powerful lesson in breaking down fear and embracing a broader perspective.

Jackie: That’s amazing. Who are three people you’re most grateful for in your business journey?

Allen: I’d say Dr. Amir Gulzar, my co-founder; my wife Judi, who supports everything I do; and Northwestern Mutual. Working there taught me what it takes to succeed, especially when it comes to people. I learned that running a business isn’t about calling all the shots — you work for your clients, donors, and board of directors. You can’t do it alone, and that’s a good thing.

Jackie: So, what’s the next big thing for your business?

Allen: Well, we’re focusing on our schools in Islamabad. The next big thing is to set up the organization to continue beyond me. Right now, much of the support comes from my friends and connections. But I’m getting older — it’s actually my birthday today!

Jackie: Happy birthday!

Allen: Thanks! I’m 63 today. The goal is to create a structure that lasts. We have an impact fund with the Bradley Foundation, and I’m working on endowing it so that when I’m gone, the school can continue. We’re putting aside money to fund the schools in perpetuity. The hardest part is not the threats we face over there, but turning away families. We have a waiting list of 2,000 kids for every available spot, and we just don’t have the resources to help everyone. It’s heartbreaking, but we have to focus on sustaining what we’ve already built before we can expand.

Jackie: That’s tough. In the next one to three years, what’s the big opportunity for you?

Allen: We’re offering a two-for-one match for donations to the Bradley Impact Fund. For every $100 someone donates, we’ll add $200. We’ll keep doing this until we reach the amount we need to sustain the schools in perpetuity. It’s about getting people to understand that this isn’t a short-term program — we’re building something that will last forever.

Jackie: What’s the biggest challenge to that?

Allen: The biggest challenge is that Pakistan is so far away, and people don’t see the children or the conditions they live in. It’s like those TV commercials where you can just turn off the images of suffering. But we’re transparent — we open our books to show that every penny goes to the children. The highest-paid employee makes $1,250 a year. There’s no corruption, no big admin salaries. This is a mission for us.

Jackie: It sounds like you’ve had incredible support. What would you like to say to those people?

Allen: I’d say, “You are loved. You are an inspiration. You keep me going when things get frustrating.” When I see people wasting money on meaningless things, it’s the people who support this mission that keep me grounded. I couldn’t do it without them.

Jackie: Well, Allen, it’s been a pleasure speaking with you today. Thank you so much for being on the show.

Allen: Thank you for having me.