About Bobby
Bobby is an experienced creator, consultant and professor. Bobby has raised tens of millions of dollars in philanthropic investments, and he has built partnerships centered in workforce development and talent with some of the largest United States-based Fortune 500 companies. A two-time U.S. Department of Education, Fulbright-Hays Scholar (Mexico 2021, Colombia 2024), Bobby has a Ph.D. in workforce development, higher education, and professional development from University of Rhode Island, and a master’s of public policy degree from Harvard University (where he was a Public Service Fellow).
He has taught at University of Rhode Island and Johnson & Wales University in courses that included: program evaluation, nonprofit management, personnel in nonprofits, methods and decision-making, and social entrepreneurship. Bobby has presented nationally, including the Adult Higher Education Alliance (AHEA), American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), Association for Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
He has served as a nonprofit and higher education administrator at Year Up and the historically largest community college in the northeast. As a corporate leader, Bobby built partnerships and programs that drove philanthropic impact, brand awareness, and reputation. His work has been recognized by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), Civic 50 / Points of Light, Corporate Citizens, Lumina Foundation, Strada Education Foundation, and RISE Women’s Leadership Conference. As a connected community leader, Bobby served two terms on Providence’s school board, one of the country’s 50 largest school districts.
Bobby’s current research centers around students in policy and administrator decision-making within workforce, education, and nonprofit organizations. His undergraduate work blended studio art and politics an early demonstration of his keen ability to be both logical and creative.
About Maddie
Madeline Burke is an experienced education leader, seasoned facilitator, and consultant specializing in K-12 education, career and technical education, early college initiatives, and community partnerships. She has designed and led programs that expand access to higher education and workforce development opportunities, working closely with employers and funders, with emphasis for historically underserved student populations.
As Dean of Career & Technical Education, Early College, and Community Partnerships at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), Maddie has been at the forefront of Rhode Island’s public early college (and the growth of dual enrollment) programs in collaboration with the Rhode Island Department of Education. She previously served as a nationally-recognized program leader at Year Up, overseeing program delivery across multiple learning communities and driving student, team, and partner engagement through her supervision as well as use of focus groups, surveys, events, and volunteerism.
Maddie has extensive research experience and has presented nationally on topics including expanding early college access, career-focused curriculum development, and serving diverse student populations. She has led strategic planning efforts at the board level, guiding governance, finance, and leadership transitions. Her expertise also includes academic program development, recruitment and retention of students and staff, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
A certified secondary educator, Maddie brings a deep understanding of curriculum innovation and instructional excellence. She has worked across community-based, state, and national education settings and has experience navigating shared governance structures and collaborating with collective bargaining units. She is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Rhode Island and frequently partners with Bobby on consulting projects.
Bobby and his team offers creativity, coaching, and content services and support in key areas:
- Higher Education
- Workforce Development
- Strategic Planning
- Fundraising, Fund Development, Grant Writing and Philanthropy
- Curriculum and Program Development
- Storytelling and Communications
- Board and Volunteer Management
- Executive Career and Professional Development
- Individual Mentoring and Coaching
- Equity and Student-centered Initiatives and Decision-Making
- Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability
- Presentations and Panel Speaking