CEO & Chief Consultant, Collective Impact Partners

Dr. LaTricia Townsend is a distinguished educational leader and researcher with 30 years of experience driving systemic change. As the CEO and Chief Consultant of Collective Impact Partners, she oversees a strategic suite of ventures, including Operation Dissertation Done and Dr. LaTricia Townsend Consulting. Her work is defined by a commitment to improving organizational outcomes, bridging the digital divide, and a specialized focus on STEM education in both formal and informal spaces.

Executive Leadership & Public Service

Prior to leading Collective Impact Partners, Dr. Townsend served as the Senior Director of Federal Programs at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). During her three-year tenure, she provided executive oversight for a massive grant portfolio valued at nearly six billion dollars.

Her transition to state leadership followed a successful career at North Carolina State University, where she served as:

• Director of the Research and Evaluation Team at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation.

• Research Scholar at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation.

• Associate Teaching Professor in the College of Education, where she spent five years instructing future leaders in advanced research methods.

A Foundation in Science & Instruction

Dr. Townsend’s journey began in the private sector as a Research Chemist for the Dow Corning Corporation. Her passion for applied science eventually led her to the classroom in 1996, where she taught Chemistry and Algebra in Michigan and North Carolina. In 2006, she pivoted to higher education at NC State to work with the team responsible for the development of statewide standardized science assessments allowing her to blend her science technical expertise with pedagogical strategy.

Academic Credentials

A proud multi-graduate of North Carolina State University, Dr. Townsend’s academic background bridges the gap between hard science and executive leadership:

• Doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision – NC State University

• Master of School Administration – NC State University

• Bachelor of Science in Textile Chemistry (Polymer Chemistry concentration) – NC State University

• Teacher Licensure – Saginaw Valley State University

Beyond the Professional

Outside of her professional endeavors, LaTricia serves a board member for Neighbor to Neighbor and as an advisory board member for the State Employees’ Credit Union. She is a nature enthusiast who finds balance through outdoor walks, yoga, music, and reading. She has been happily married to her husband, John, for 31 years, and they are the proud parents of three adult children.