Getting to Know Christy Colee, HPM’s New Director of Business Development
HPM is excited to welcome Christy Colee as our new Director of K-12 Business Development, supporting our growing K–12 team. With a rich background that bridges classroom teaching, educational sales, and operational insight, Christy brings a unique perspective to helping school districts make informed, strategic decisions. We sat down with her to talk about her journey, her passion for education, and her vision for this role.
Tell us a bit about your career path. How did you get here?
I studied Journalism and Mass Communications at Samford University, then went on to earn a master’s degree in Secondary Arts Education from UAB and a master’s degree in Business Management at UA. I was a high school English teacher for over a decade.
Eventually, I transitioned into ed‑tech sales with Renaissance Learning. That role opened the door to the operational side of education, and it’s also how I met Tracy Richter and Greg Ellis, who helped me see how my background could translate into supporting districts through HPM’s services.
What drew you to working with K–12 districts in this new capacity?
Over the years, I’ve built strong relationships with districts. I want to look at what a district needs, not sell anything to them, but get in step with what they are doing. Teachers and administrators don’t need more to do; they already juggle complicated responsibilities and support roles far beyond instruction.
This new role gives me a chance to be on “the other side of the house”—looking at operations, planning, and project management—and helping districts make smart, sustainable choices.
The education landscape has shifted a lot, especially post‑pandemic. What challenges do you see districts facing right now?
It’s a completely different world than it was just a few years ago. Districts budgets are tight. Student populations are declining. Charter schools are creating more competition than ever. The stakes are high, and districts need to make strategic choices about how to use the funding and resources they do have.
That’s where we can help. We’re looking closely at how to support districts in making decisions that will move them forward, even in a challenging environment.
What excites you most about supporting HPM’s K–12 planning and project management teams?
HPM does exceptional work. My goal is to help school districts better understand the level of expertise we offer, the quality of our services, and the impact we can have on long-term planning and operations.
Tracy Richter has built an unbelievable reputation in the K–12 space. Joining a team with that level of credibility and commitment means a lot to me. The more connections and relationships I can build, the better I can support our team and our clients. When districts understand who we are and how we can help, I’ll feel like I’ve accomplished what I came here to do.
How does your classroom experience shape the way you approach this work?
Having lived in teachers’ shoes, I understand what it feels like for things to be disrupted. That experience gives me so much perspective when I talk with educators and administrators—they know I’m not speaking in hypotheticals.
Teaching also trained me to translate complicated information into something clear and digestible. If you can teach Julius Caesar to 16‑year‑olds, you can learn to simplify anything. I have the skills to simplify and clarify HPM’s message so that districts understand exactly how we can support them.
As you step into this position, what are your main goals?
- Build strong relationships with K–12 districts. Connection is everything.
- Help districts understand the excellence of HPM’s work and the deep expertise we bring.
- Find new opportunities to support schools through thoughtful planning and project management.
- And ultimately, make it easier for educators to do what they do best by helping districts make smart operational choices.
