Stacy Townsley-Kestin

About Stacy Townsley-Kestin

While we commonly celebrate learner persistence, grit is no match for a fragmented system. Too often, we place the weight of success on an individual’s resolve rather than the institution’s design. I partner with leaders to bridge that gap, building systems that are finally as resilient as the learners they serve.This mission is personal. My path from first-generation student to Ph.D. was fueled in part by blind luck, but I believe success should be a matter of design, not chance. After watching a close family member’s dreams fade because multiple institutions wouldn\'t honor their hard-earned transfer credits, I turned my frustration into a calling. I now advocate for the systems change required to ensure higher education finally serves the people it was meant for.As a consultant and thought partner, I help organizations move past surface-level adjustments. We look at the big picture—how an institution’s culture, data flows, and processes either help or hinder progress. To bridge the gap between intent and impact, I partner with leadership on three fronts:* Ecosystem Discovery: We map the learner journey across the education-workforce landscape to pinpoint the exact gaps where information and progress stop.* Pathway Design: We architect clear, barrier-free routes that go beyond basic compliance to prioritize institutional belonging and support excellence.* Strategic Metrics: I help you design feedback loops that move beyond surface-level data, providing the evidence needed to scale what works and fix what doesn\'t.Selected Impact:* Military-Connected Success: Led the statewide development of the Indiana Collegiate Purple Star Award, elevating the benchmark for veteran support to a national standard.* Bridging Agency Divides: Resolved communication breakdowns between corrections and higher education to empower and progress justice-involved students.* Framework Innovation: Partnered with national organizations to develop actionable student support frameworks and model policy guidance.I am energized by a new era of connected learning where employers, government agencies, community organizations, and colleges act as partners in a shared talent ecosystem. When we align these systems, institutional sustainability and student success finally become the same thing.If you are ready to stop settling for well-intended actions and want to design a connected, barrier-busting strategy for your learners—let’s talk.

Experience

1. Strategy and Policy Collaborator

   Strategyforward Advisors

   Feb 2025 — Present

Education

• University of Tulsa

  BA

  1989 — 1993

• The University of Texas at Austin

  MA

  1993 — 1995

• CivicLab Systemness Leadership Academy

  Certificate

  2023

• Universidad de Salamanca

  International Studies and Spanish

  1991 — 1992

• Saybrook University

  PhD

  2009 — 2014

Skills

• Nonprofits
• Organizational Development
• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• Higher Education
• Public Speaking
• Training
• Volunteer Management
• Policy
• Adult Education
• Research
• Leadership Development
• Teaching
• Editing
• Conflict Resolution
• Strategic Planning
• Team Building
• Program Development
• Student Affairs
• Curriculum Design
• Fundraising
• Non-Profits
• Staff Development
• Community Outreach
• Workshop Facilitation
• Instructional Design
• Student Development
• Curriculum Development
• Program Management