Who we are

A former educator and K-12 strategist, partnering with an AI educator working at the cutting edge of the most advanced AI capabilities. Operating from the same values, we're passionate about bringing the best to school leaders who deserve the best.

Hi, I'm Annie!

I'm the founder of Annie Mac & Co., a strategic planning practice for schools, nonprofits, and foundations. As a former educator, I've spent the last decade working alongside school leaders to develop strategic plans, strengthen their boards of directors, and innovate on their school models. My work has always been about supporting hardworking leaders with structure, vision, and a running start.

I'm hopeful that the right AI tools, used thoughtfully, can take real weight off school administration and give leaders and teachers back time for their most critical human tasks. I'm also a former college basketball player and coach and believe in the power of teamwork and culture to accomplish more together.

AnnieAnnie Crangle · Annie Mac & Co.

Hi, I'm Colton!

I'm the founder of Activation Playbook and an AI educator... I teach people to build with AI with their own hands. I earned my MBA at UC Berkeley's Haas, where I was a Graduate Student Instructor and completed the AI for Business certificate, and I'm wrapping up my MPH now. I've activated hundreds of people... leaders, founders, and educators.

Why schools? Because teachers are the ultimate activators... they shape people for life. And with AI, like any new technology, the best organizational outcomes come when a leader tells an inspiring story and champions it in a way that feels authentic to their culture. Away from work, I'm a runner, triathlete, and yoga instructor... and I love some healthy competition.

ColtonColton Hess · Activation Playbook

What we value

Critical thinking, protected. AI is a power tool for the brain... and we protect the thinking that belongs to people. Your team draws clear lines for where reading, writing, and reasoning must keep growing in humans, especially students.

Connection is the point. Reclaiming hours from the tedious work means more time for leaders and teachers to be present in classrooms, coach staff, meet academic and behavioral needs... and nurture the relationships that make a school work.

Education is a team sport. Nobody runs a school alone, and lasting change in a school is community-driven. We support whole teams... so everyone gets the same access, training, and guidance, and figures out meaningful AI integration side by side.

How we put these values to work... that's what we do.

Prep is what schools do all day. Teachers prep lessons... and treasure their prep periods. Leaders prep board packets, budgets, and plans. And together, you prep young people for the rest of their lives.

It's also what this moment asks of every school: prepping for a world with AI in it. We help with both... the nightly prep AI can shoulder, and the bigger prep no school should have to figure out alone.

And a playbook... that's a team-sport thing. So is running a school.

Let's huddle up

A 30-minute call is the whole first step. Bring your most time-consuming week... we'll tell you honestly what advanced AI can take off your plate, and we'll decide together what it shouldn't touch.