Meet The Team
The Inspire EDU team is a dynamic collective of dedicated professionals committed to transforming education through innovation and inclusivity. With diverse expertise spanning education, technology, and creative disciplines, our team is united by a shared passion for empowering learners.
Founder & President
Mike Packer
Mike Packer is a dedicated leader in arts, media and entertainment education and music instruction, with over 30 years of experience. His passion for education and innovation has been instrumental in launching and managing online programs and international initiatives within the arts and entertainment sector. Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts in Percussion Performance from the University of Northern Colorado and a Master’s in Education, Leadership, and Policy from Boston University.
In addition to his administrative roles, Mike is an accomplished drummer who has performed both nationally and internationally, collaborating with artists like Lorna Luft, Free Flight, and The Los Angeles Philharmonic. His teaching experience spans three decades, during which he has instructed students in private and classroom settings while conducting clinics worldwide. Mike is also an accomplished author, with several publications, including Feet Don’t Fail Me Now and The Bass Drum Owner’s Manual. He is the editor and producer of the Playing Techniques book series by Ralph Humphrey and Joe Porcaro, and the inventor of the Heel Less bass drum pedal, which is produced and distributed as the DW5000 ADH by DW Drums.
Partner & Chief Business Officer
Jack Friedman
Jack Friedman founded Study Smart Tutors out of his dorm room at USC because he wanted to provide College Access Programming to students who wouldn’t otherwise receive it.
In addition to his work at Study Smart Tutors, Jack is a partner and the Chief Business Officer of Inspire EDU, a co-founder of Educational Gaming Services and Advanced Employment Group. He serves as the Board Chair of the Youth Business Alliance and as a board member of Tzedek America and the ACT’s CA Council.
Director of Arts, Media & Entertainment (AME)
Danielle Collins
Danielle Collins is a passionate Curriculum Designer and educator specializing in Career Technical Education (CTE) at Inspire EDU, where she develops innovative programs in the arts, media, and entertainment sectors. As a Training Facilitator for the CTE Arts Media Entertainment Institute, she is dedicated to equipping students with essential skills for their careers. Danielle serves as the Board President of Pulse Percussion, Inc., leading initiatives to support young musicians, and is also the Audio Lead and board member for Arts Media Entertainment.
Her extensive experience includes being the Music Media Entertainment Technology Chair at the Academy for the Performing Arts at Huntington Beach High School and working as a Contract Consultant for the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Danielle is an active board member of the California Band Directors Association and the Innovations Council of the California Music Educators Association. Her commitment to arts education is further demonstrated through her roles as VAPA Coordinator and Instrumental Music Director at Rosemead High School and as an Adjunct Professor at CSU Long Beach and CSU Los Angeles. Danielle continues to make a significant impact in the arts and education community.
Sr. Director of Partnerships
Laura Orozco
Laura Orozco joins Study Smart Tutors after working for a nonprofit organization. Prior to that, she provided behavioral services for children and adults with an autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. There, her work focused on child and adolescent behavior intervention. Following her time there, she had the opportunity to work for an organization that focused on increasing graduation rates for at-risk students by surrounding them with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. There she coordinated school wide events, case manage students and focus on the needs of underrepresented students.
Laura graduated from California Lutheran University’s Math Science Upward Bound program and first heard about Study Smart Tutors when she was working for the program as a college student. She is passionate about SST’s mission and hopes to make an impact in her community.
Associate Director of Partnership Development
Ayo Strange
Ayo Strange holds a B.S. in Biology from Tennessee State University (Nashville, TN) and initially embarked on a career in pharmaceutical sales. A recruiter’s outreach led her to transition into the Education sector, where she has spent the majority of her professional journey focusing on Graduate and International student recruitment, as well as overseeing university general education and major-specific assessments. This experience has fueled her deep passion for contributing valuable resources to educational institutions and students.
During her tenure at the EdTech company Hobsons, Ayo pursued and earned her M.S. in Organizational Leadership from Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, OH and began her leadership career. Ayo joined Study Smart Tutors in 2023 to lead the Partnerships team.
Partnerships Manager
Justin Polk
Justin joins Study Smart Tutors & Inspire EDU as the Partnerships Manager for Arts, Media & Entertainment. Originally from Detroit, Justin attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA on a music scholarship. After graduating, he went on to teach in LAUSD as a high school music director and VAPA chair within LAUSD. He taught instrumental music and implemented a full music production program as a result of virtual learning during the pandemic. As a result of the programs success, Justin went on to work in EdTech with Spotify to help create opportunities between music industry professionals and K-12 students across the country. He continues the same mission for arts advocacy with Study Smart by giving students access to skill development and professional growth in Arts. Media and Entertainment.
In his free time, Justin enjoys golfing and exploring the outdoors with his dog by his side.