National Math Stars’ Ilana Walder-Biesanz Recognized with Bezos Courage & Civility Award

$5 million grant from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos will fund National Math Stars’ continued efforts to support exceptional young mathematicians

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Math Stars (NMS) today announced that Founder and CEO Ilana Walder-Biesanz has been selected as one of five recipients of the 2025 Bezos Courage & Civility Awards, given by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. The $5 million award will go to accelerating NMS’ growth, supporting a new pilot program, and building infrastructure for the organization as it scales.

“This award is not only a huge honor, it’s an opportunity to mold the future,” explained Ilana. “Every one of our Stars has the potential to make valuable contributions in science, engineering, technology, and more. This award helps us support these exceptional kids, and it will pay dividends for decades to come.”

The Bezos Courage & Civility Awards celebrate those who boldly challenge the status quo. The focus of the 2025 awards is on creating learning environments that value young people of all abilities, including advanced learners.

Ilana’s vision for National Math Stars is rooted in her early precocity and passion for math and STEM subjects. She strongly believes that advanced students should have access to opportunities that further develop their talents. NMS offers long-term, individualized support for extraordinary young mathematicians, beginning in second- and third-grade. That support continues all the way through high school graduation.

Research by Opportunity Insights shows that students who demonstrate mathematical ability early are more likely to become leaders in STEM. This likelihood is increased by factors like mentorship and STEM enrichment. This award follows the announcement of a major Midwest expansion and will be used to fuel efforts in additional states in 2026, with the goal of growing nationwide.

About National Math Stars

Founded in 2023, National Math Stars is a nonprofit whose mission is to ensure mathematically extraordinary students from all communities have the resources they need to reach the frontiers of math and science. Learn more at www.nationalmathstars.org.

About the Bezos Courage & Civility Award

The Bezos Courage & Civility Award, established in 2021, honors individuals who aim high and pursue solutions to tough and often neglected challenges with courage and civility. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos recognize both seasoned and emerging leaders who are driving meaningful change. Each award recipient designates a nonprofit to receive a grant in support of the work they are doing. Recipients embody the belief that transformative progress requires both bold action and collaborative work across differences.