OUR COLLABORATORS

Ieesha McKinzie Collins, MS

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, SYSTEMS CHANGE

Ieesha McKinzie Collins is a dynamic cross-sector leader and strategic advisor, dedicated to fostering impactful change through LemonTree Consultants. With a 20+ year career spanning K-12 education, philanthropy, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, Ieesha brings a unique blend of strategic thinking, executional excellence, and creative curiosity to her work. LemonTree Consultants partners with organizations to drive transformational impact through communications, marketing, coalition-building, nonprofit leadership, and strategic planning & facilitation.

Ieesha has held leadership roles at organizations such as Teach For America, Breakthrough Collaborative, KIPP Texas Public Schools, and General Mills—where she worked in brand marketing and as an education program officer at the General Mills Foundation. She specializes in guiding mission-driven organizations through complex challenges, leveraging her expertise in fundraising, talent strategy, and community engagement.

A proud first-generation college graduate and HBCU alumna, Ieesha holds a B.A. in journalism from Hampton University, an M.S. in integrated marketing communications from Northwestern University, and a master’s in educational leadership from the Broad Center for Urban Education. A lifelong learner, she has participated in leadership development programs such as Teach For America, Management Leadership for Tomorrow, and The Broad Residency in Urban Education.

Ieesha’s passion for educational equity and civic leadership is evident in her deep community involvement, including service on multiple nonprofit boards. Through LemonTree Consultants, she continues to connect, convene, and catalyze change, helping organizations craft their unique "recipe" for success.