We ask better questions so your organization can find better answers.
Atlas Executive Consulting is a research and strategy firm rooted in equity, data science, and systems-level thinking. We work with educational institutions, tribal colleges, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations to uncover the high-quality problems that—once solved—change everything.
Our team brings together expertise in organizational strategy, artificial intelligence, learning design, and human performance research to help leaders move beyond symptoms and into real, lasting transformation.
50+
Leadership Engagements
20+
Years of Experience in Education & Leadership
AI
Research & Innovation Focused
Global
Speaking & Advisory Engagements
MEET THE TEAM
KAREN COLBERT, PHD
Karen Colbert is an Educational Strategist, Data Scientist, and Productivity Coach with over 20 years of experience in higher education and leadership. She has served as a tribal college department chair, faculty leader, and systems strategist—and her work sits at the intersection of technology, equity, and transformation.
At Atlas, Karen leads our research and strategy work, helping institutions make bold, informed decisions in an AI-driven world. She is the author of The Algorithm Wasn’t Built for Us, a groundbreaking examination of how data systems often marginalize the very people they’re meant to serve—and what we can do about it.
Karen has delivered keynotes and consulting engagements across higher education, K-12, government, health, and nonprofit sectors. She has been trusted by institutions ranging from tribal colleges to Johns Hopkins University, and her work has been recognized by the National Science Foundation, and Carnegie Math Pathways WestEd.
Whether leading coaching cohorts, speaking on national stages, or consulting with colleges and school systems, Karen brings clarity, practicality, and an unshakable belief in people.
Founder & Principal Data Scientist
CERTIFICATIONS
Social/Behavioral Research Certification — CITI
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion — University of South Florida
Empirical Implications of Theoretical Models — University of Michigan
Carnegie Math Pathways — WestEd
Press Release
We don’t arrive with answers. We arrive with better questions.
OUR APPROACH
Most consulting engagements begin with a predetermined framework and a pre-written solution. We begin differently.
We start by asking what problem is actually worth solving—and whether the one you’ve been focused on is the right one. This takes more time upfront. It requires humility from both sides. And it consistently produces outcomes that outlast any single engagement.
Research-Grounded
Every recommendation is rooted in evidence, not opinion
Systems-
Focused
We examine structures, incentives, and behaviors, not just individuals
Equity-
Centered
We consider who benefits, who is burdened, and who is overlooked
Action-
Oriented
Insight without implementation is just reading