Collegio Partners / About Us
Collegio Partners. More than a consulting firm. A partner in transformation.
While consultants typically assess, strategize, and recommend, Collegio Partners goes well beyond those traditional functions. We work side by side with our clients, in the trenches, performing the foundational work that enables lasting breakthroughs. Our role is not to hand off a plan; it is to help you build the processes, culture, and capacity to thrive in the AI era.
Our team is an uncommon blend of experience and success across education, technology, private equity, finance, and institutional turnarounds. This diversity of expertise makes us greater than the sum of our parts, bringing insight and capability rarely found within a single organization.
We combine deep operational knowledge with access to capital, lessons from past transformations, and a clear understanding of how to energize workforces, manage change, and avoid costly missteps. Above all, we know that success in this generational moment requires more than strategy, tools, or funding. It demands a strong cultural and process foundation. Institutions that fail to build it will struggle, no matter how sophisticated their technology or abundant their resources.
At Collegio Partners, we recognize that transformation must often be preceded by transition — laying the groundwork for agility, resilience, and forward thinking. AI will define the future of education and enterprise but as an augment to rather than replacement for the most important human capabilities. Tech cannot create sustainable success on its own. Our commitment as a transformation partner is to ensure that you are ready not only to adapt, but to lead, in the AI era.
People
Rick Inatome, as a pioneering architect of the digital revolution, brings unique insight into helping educational institutions navigate the AI era's transformative challenges. As an early collaborator with Bill Gates and Steve Jobs—serving on Microsoft's and Apple's startup advisory boards—Rick witnessed firsthand how digital technology reshaped education and business. This experience proves invaluable, as institutions now face similar paradigm shifts with AI. As Managing Director of Collegio Partners LLC, Rick leverages his extensive experience in building Fortune 500 companies and raising billions in capital to help educational institutions ensure sustainability and excellence in the AI age. Rick's expertise in building performance-enabling cultures and process excellence has proven crucial for institutions seeking to adapt to AI-driven change. As the gubernatorially appointed founding Chair of Michigan Virtual University and Michigan Information Network, designed to build public-private partnerships for the state’s Internet infrastructure, he has a long history of leadership and innovation in education. His achievements have earned him knighthood from the Royal Order of Francis I and induction into the Computer Hall of Fame. As one of the leaders of the digital age, Rick now helps educators capitalize on AI's transformative potential while ensuring institutional sustainability.
Donald Lively brings expertise in aligning educational institutions with evolving market realities and helping lay sound cultural and process foundations essential for a successful transition into the AI era. As a respected academic and institutional founder, his experience in raising capital for and growing an innovative professional school (sold at a high premium) reflects his ability to create value by identifying and responding to market opportunities and needs. Understanding the unique dynamics of the academic world, while recognizing the importance of organizational culture and process as the essential enablers of successful change, he brings valuable know-how to institutions seeking to incorporate AI into their DNA. Don's background in change management, relationship building, and faculty development, including successful implementation of tenure alternatives and practice-ready curricula, highlights an ability to navigate complex transitions, modernize academic processes, and foster cultures of innovation and accountability grounded in trust, empathy, and emotional intelligence. His consulting outcomes include year-over-year admissions improvements approaching 40% and implementation of continuous improvement processes. As author of 20 books and recipient of the Florida Supreme Court Professionalism Award and multiple awards for teaching, scholarship, and service, Don combines academic credibility with practical experience - thus making him a unique resource in today’s environment.
H. Keith Spears, with over four decades of leadership in higher education, specializes in leveraging technology to drive enrollment growth and institutional transformation. His unique combination of academic leadership—spanning roles from professor to president—and business acumen makes him highly valuable to institutions seeking to thrive in the AI era. Keith's expertise in developing technology-enhanced enrollment strategies has enabled institutions to achieve 100% growth in student numbers while ensuring financial viability. His experience in developing technology-enabled graduate programs and international student recruitment processes (attracting tens of thousands of students) is particularly relevant as AI reshapes global education markets. As a former state system vice chancellor and member of Senator Manchin's gubernatorial administration, Keith understands the regulatory and policy implications of AI integration in education. His background in business operations, including broadcast management and major studio productions, informs his innovative approaches to institutional communication and market positioning in the AI age. With speaking engagements across four continents, Keith brings a global perspective to institutional transformation and growth strategies. His expertise in crisis communication and positive messaging is especially high value as institutions navigate the challenges and opportunities of AI integration.
Scott Thompson guides educational institutions toward financial and operational excellence and long-term sustainability. His expertise in organizational restructuring and growth is particularly relevant as institutions grapple with AI's impact on educational delivery and financial sustainability. As a former president of both a post-graduate institution and an international baccalaureate prep school, Scott brings hands-on experience in integrating Six Sigma processes that help drive academic quality and financial stability. His track record includes orchestrating a $270M recapitalization of an educational entity, achieving $110M in cost reductions, and implementing technology-driven learning models that enabled students to outperform traditional metrics. Scott's expertise in Six Sigma and quality control processes helps institutions develop robust frameworks for AI integration while maintaining operational excellence. His experience in facilitating major curricular reforms and adopting alternative faculty models is invaluable for institutions adapting to technology-driven changes in education delivery. Scott’s comprehensive approach to financial management, combined with his understanding of educational technology integration, positions him uniquely to help institutions achieve financial stability while embracing AI innovation. Scott's leadership in implementing technology-driven solutions and securing financial sustainability provides educational leaders with practical strategies for navigating the AI transformation while ensuring institutional sustainability.
Clary Gasper bridges the worlds of education and artificial intelligence with rare and invaluable insight for institutions navigating AI-driven transformation. Her combination of extensive teaching experience across public and private K-12, higher education, and professional development sectors, coupled with cutting-edge AI development expertise, enables her to help institutions not just adopt AI tools but reimagine how learning happens in the digital age. As LLM Training Leader at Neon AI, Clary has pioneered approaches to custom AI model development that make advanced technology accessible to organizations of all sizes, exactly the democratization schools need to remain competitive. Clary’s educational foundation includes 16 years of instructional leadership, during which she consistently drove innovation and measurable improvements in learning outcomes. Her track record includes implementing new technologies institution-wide, training faculty on emerging platforms, and designing experiential programs that prepare learners for real-world challenges. This experience gives her insight into the practical realities of institutional change management and cultural foundations necessary for successful technology integration. Clary’s understanding of both human and machine learning processes enables her to design AI implementations that enhance rather than replace the essential human elements of education. She is well prepared to support leaders seeking to leverage AI’s transformative potential while staying true to their mission.
Joan Bullock brings a unique blend of expertise to help facilitate institutional transformation at a critical time in higher education. As an accomplished attorney, academic, and business strategist with a CPA background, she helps guide organizations through complex challenges, optimize operations, and implement technology-driven solutions that enable sustainable growth. Toward these ends, Joan seamlessly integrates legal knowledge, financial insight, and strategic vision to help mission-driven institutions thrive in transformative times. In so doing, she helps align culture, systems, and strategy to create resilient, scalable outcomes, strengthen governance, modernize infrastructure, and foster continuous innovation. Her work is rooted in the conviction that operational excellence and human-centered leadership are vital for thriving in the AI era. As a law professor, Joan has shaped legal education at multiple institutions, mentoring attorneys in practice-ready skills and ethical practice management. Today, her focus on legal technology and practice innovation empowers solo and small law firms to adopt technology-driven frameworks, boosting efficiency and enhancing client outcomes. Joan’s legal scholarship explores workplace culture, attorney wellness, and law firm management. Active in the American Bar Association Science and Technology Law Section and the Law Practice Division, Joan brings both academic rigor and real-world pragmatism to building AI-ready educational and professional environments.
