We are an impact-driven consulting firm that believes in the transformative power of education to improve social and economic mobility
HCM Strategists is a synthesis of solid policy acumen, strong communications know-how and effective advocacy in building & maintaining deep, long-standing partnerships.
We started out in 2008 with a goal:
to be practical problem solvers as we contribute to meaningful and equitable change for communities who are underserved by our education systems.
Since then, we have brought together the country’s leading experts in education with a passion for and impactful record of improving social and economic mobility for all.
We are proud to be at the forefront of companies that intentionally work across the political aisle to achieve the greatest impact. We consider the unique context of every state in which we work, bridging the gap between public policies and the people they affect, while never wavering from our core mission of equitable outcomes for all learners.
We firmly believe that achieving the best outcomes takes a combination of high-level government acumen, a lived experience, an understanding of underserved communities, a network of strong relationships, a keen analytical ability and a creative approach.
HCM is proud to have leading experts who have experience across the entire education ecosystem
HCM staff has served at every level in the White House, governors’ offices, Congress, state and federal agencies, top philanthropic organizations, major state-level education systems, and institutions and classrooms.
HCM has been at the center of change that has touched millions of lives and is striving for more equitable systems of education.
HCM’s client work today directly engages leaders and influencers nationally and in all 50 states, with a team based in state capitals and every region of the country. Our reach is nationwide; our expertise is unparalleled.
Our TEAM
Ashsali Hamlet
Project Administrator
Ashsali is driven by making positive changes in historically underserved student populations. As a single parent first-generation college student, she understands the importance of education and advocates for students that face the same challenges she did!
Meet Ashsali →
Chris Mathias
Senior Affiliate
Chris is driven by the knowledge that education promotes freedom and opportunity for individuals and communities.
Meet Chris →
Darryl Hill
Partner
Darryl is driven by the need to increase access to opportunity and improve outcomes for underserved and marginalized students.
Meet Darryl →
Jeff Stanley
Senior Affiliate
Jeff is driven by the belief that higher education should be a door to opportunity that is accessible to all students.
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Jessica Collis
Director of Advocacy & Change Management
Jessica is driven by the belief that education affords opportunity and breaks down societal barriers.
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Jimmy Clarke
Senior Adviser
Jimmy is driven by so many in the field who remain focused on closing equity gaps and with deep resolve to forge relationships and understanding in hope my grandchildren will enjoy a future that includes opportunity and prosperity for all.
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Julie Ajinkya
Senior Adviser
Julie is driven by how powerful education can be in transforming a person’s life, in addition to what it can do for their families and communities.
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Katie Lynne Morton
Director of Project Management and Client Relations
Katie Lynne is driven by the importance of offering opportunities to help students achieve success.
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Kelley Ditzel
Senior Affiliate
Kelley is driven by the profound belief that every child deserves to reach their full potential — regardless of where or to whom they are born — and a deep commitment to lifting up the wisdom and voices of the community to disrupt inequitable systems and work collectively toward a more just society.
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Kristin Hultquist
CEO, Founding Partner
Kristin is driven by a desire to open educational and professional doors for other first-generation college graduates like she was.
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Lauren Asher
Senior Affiliate
Lauren is driven by the need for postsecondary policies and systems that actually increase equity and opportunity.
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Martha Snyder
Partner
Martha is driven by her belief that the greatest opportunity for betterment in a person’s life comes from education, and every success we have in making education more accessible and degrees more attainable brings people, regardless of background, one step closer to an opportunity for a better future.
Meet Martha →
Mitza Zapata Villalobos
Firm Administrator and Executive Assistant
Mitza is driven by her desire to make lasting change in the education system that provides equal and attainable opportunities to students from underserved communities by bridging the gap through resources needed to succeed.
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Nate Johnson
Senior Affiliate
Nate is driven by research and analysis focused on the link between fiscal and financial aid policies and student success outcomes.
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Nicole Brown
Director of Communications
Nicole is driven by communications strategies that promote equitable outcomes for all students, particularly those traditionally underserved and often left out of the discourse.
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Stephanie Murphy
Director of State Policy & Research
Stephanie is driven by her passion to create a better world for future generations by breaking down systemic barriers and improving student outcomes for all people through sound public policy.
Meet Stephanie →
Will Carroll
Managing Director of Strategic Finance & Student Success
Will is driven by collaborations that advance social, racial, and economic justice through education policies and systems.
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Brenae Smith
Associate Director
Brenae is driven by the transformative power of education and the need for more equitable systems and spaces for students from all backgrounds.
Meet Brenae →
Since 2020, HCM Strategists is proud to offer a fellowship program that contributes to a more inclusive and diverse field for the next generation of public policy profressionals.
Marissa Molina
2024 Policy Fellow
Marissa is driven by advocating for policies and reforms that ensure equitable access to a quality education for all.
Jailain Hollon
2024 Communications Fellow
Jailain is committed to enhancing educational access and catalyzing systemic change for educational equity.
Celia Cusick
2024 Policy Fellow
Celia believes in the transformative power of education and is especially dedicated to advancing equitable policy solutions to enhance access to and the quality of postsecondary education.
