William J. Collins

William Collins has extensive experience in leadership roles within the education and nonprofit sectors. Currently serving as the Interim Chief Executive Officer at Surge Institute, Collins has also held positions such as Chief External Affairs Officer and Chief Advancement Officer at the organization. As the Founder and Managing Partner of Light Source Consulting, LLC, since January 2023, Collins combines strategic insight with a commitment to social impact. Previous roles include Vice President of External Affairs and Managing Director of Partnerships at OneGoal, where focus centered on closing the college degree divide for low-income students. Collins has also contributed to education as a Finance & Economics Career Pathway Teacher at Chicago Public Schools and has held various positions in corporate settings with a strong emphasis on planning and analysis. Collins holds a B.S. in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota, an M.Ed. in Curriculum Studies and Administration from DePaul University, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Executive Management from Georgetown University.