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Darin Francis

Managing Partner & CEO Harbinger Lane Consulting

With 20 years of experience at the intersection of higher education and edtech, Darin Francis brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for driving meaningful change in the sector. Having led teams, crafted go-to-market (GTM) strategies, and worked closely with institutions, Darin is uniquely positioned to help edtech companies navigate the complexities of U.S. and Canadian higher education. Darin Francis, based in Detroit, MI, US, is currently a Managing Partner and CEO at Harbinger Lane Consulting.

Counseling Psychology 1990 - 1993
account-executives Account Executives
consultative Consultative Selling
image-1 Strategic Planning
product-manage Product Management
sales-promotion Sales Operations
image-15 Team Leadership

Recent Posts

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Articles Education Technology

The End-to-End Model: Impact Consulting’s Strategic Approach to Work-Based Learning

Darin Francis - December 1, 2025

As colleges and universities grapple with enrollment pressures, shifting student expectations, and a tightening labor market shaped by AI and automation, the demand for meaningful work-based learning experiences has grown dramatically. Research across the UK's higher education sector shows that hands-on industry engagement is becoming a leading factor in student decision-making and employability outcomes.

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Articles Business Services

The Job Dating Model: How Micro Internships Build Talent, Enable Smarter Hiring, and Boost Campus Impact

Darin Francis - November 17, 2025

Experiential learning is surging in relevance. Employers are finding it harder than ever to evaluate early-career talent, while students are graduating into a labor market where more than halfabout 52%end up in roles that dont require their degree.

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Articles Education Technology

The New Playbook for College ROI: Podium Education’s Scalable Model for Real-World Learning

Darin Francis - November 12, 2025

The debate around the return on investment (ROI) of a four-year degree has reached a fever pitch. As tuition costs rise and employers question the value of traditional credentials, higher education leaders are rethinking how to make college more career-relevant.

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Articles Education Technology

Gamifying College Readiness: How Loper Makes the Enrollment Journey More Engaging!

Darin Francis - October 16, 2025

High schoolers are overwhelmed and not just by homework. The path to college can feel like a maze of forms, essays, and deadlines, with little guidance on where to begin.

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Education & EdTech

Holistic Support in Higher Ed: Why Non-Traditional Students Need More Than Just Financial Aid

Darin Francis - October 1, 2025

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Articles Education Technology

Kai: Finally an AI Solution for Enrollment Teams to Create Connection, Not Just Mine Data!

Darin Francis - September 19, 2025

Artificial intelligence has become the buzzword of the moment in higher education, but for many enrollment teams, it often feels like just another layer of complexity on top of an already demanding job. Budgets are tight, teams are stretched thin, and the pressure to recruit and retain students has never been greater.

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