Meet the Collective
Our team brings decades of experience across K–12, higher education, workforce development, and nonprofit sectors - bridging strategy, facilitation, and implementation to move ideas from vision to impact.
Julie Fregien
Principal Partner
Julie Fregien is a senior strategist who partners with mission-driven organizations to design coherent systems, build leadership capacity, and drive sustainable change. She is known for helping leaders move from fragmented efforts to aligned strategies that support long-term outcomes and organizational learning.
Julie brings extensive experience leading system-level strategy, coaching senior leaders, and guiding continuous improvement across complex organizations. Her background in public education informs a pragmatic, results-oriented approach that translates research and data into action across sectors. She holds advanced training in education leadership.
Catisha Toney
PartnerCatisha Toney is the Founder and Executive Director of COATES Inc., a nonprofit organization advancing educational equity through strategy, policy, and systems change. With more than 15 years of experience across K-12, higher education, and statewide initiatives, she brings a cross-sector perspective to building opportunity and access.
Catisha has led large-scale initiatives, advised public agencies, and built partnerships across nonprofit, government, and community-based organizations. A first-generation college graduate, she pairs lived experience with strategic leadership to design pathways that expand opportunity for historically underserved communities. She holds graduate degrees in public administration and management.
Milissa McClaire Gary
PartnerMilissa McClaire Gary is a senior leader, coach, and organizational strategist with nearly 25 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations strengthen systems, develop leaders, and scale impact. Her work centers on adult learning, organizational design, and change management in complex environments.
Milissa has led national initiatives, advised executive teams, and designed leadership development, coaching, and learning models across public and nonprofit sectors. Her background in education provides a strong foundation for elev8ED’s work, while her current focus is on partnering with organizations seeking clarity, alignment, and meaningful growth. She holds advanced training in educational research and policy and is a National Board Certified Teacher.
Andraya White
Partner
Andraya is a senior leader in systems change and implementation, with deep experience designing and executing equity-centered strategies in complex organizational environments. Her work focuses on strengthening adult practice, aligning stakeholders, and building structures that translate vision into measurable impact.
Across her career, Andraya has led large-scale initiatives, supported cross-functional teams, and partnered with public and nonprofit organizations to improve outcomes for young people and communities. Her background as a teacher and school counselor informs her ability to integrate trauma-informed and resilience-centered approaches into system design. She holds advanced training in education and counseling.