Program Evaluation and Strategic Learning

Independent evaluation and strategic learning partnership for foundations, nonprofits, school districts, and government agencies.

My Approach

An RFP, a research question, a stated objective- these represent one perspective at one moment in time. As projects evolve, new information emerges, priorities shift, and organizations often realize they need something different than what they originally envisioned.

Education and training efforts don't happen in isolation; they unfold within ecosystems. Schools, colleges, foundations, government agencies, employers, researchers, policymakers, families, and students all bring different goals, incentives, and definitions of success. Understanding those relationships, and whose voices are represented—or missing—comes before deciding how to move forward.

Perfect data are not always necessary, or possible, to make a better decision. Rather than asking, "Did the program work?" I ask, "What are we learning? What's changing? What should we try next?"

Services Detail

I partner with foundations, nonprofits, school districts, workforce organizations, and government agencies to evaluate programs, conduct mixed-methods research, facilitate strategic learning, engage stakeholders, and translate evidence into practical recommendations that strengthen programs and improve outcomes.

Program Evaluation

01

Objectively studying a program to measure what's working — sometimes through a rigorous impact evaluation, other times through implementation research or rapid-cycle learning, depending on what level of evidence is actually feasible and useful.

(independent evaluator capacity)

Strategic Learning Partnership

02

Understanding how a program or policy is actually functioning on the ground before recommending a direction.

(embedded partner capacity)

Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation

03

Bringing together funders, grantees, educators, researchers, and policymakers to build consensus and create space for honest conversation about what's working, what isn't, and what needs to change.

Evidence Translation & Communication

04

Turning complex quantitative and qualitative findings into clear, actionable recommendations, technical reports, executive summaries, board presentations, or practitioner briefs, depending on the audience.

How It Works

These four stages guide the work — some projects need all of them; others just one or two.

  • Theory of Change

  • Learning Questions

  • Stakeholders & Organizational Context

Clarify

  • Evaluation Design

  • Development of KPI’s

  • Mixed-Method Data Collection

  • Ecosystem Mapping

Measure

  • Interpretation of Evidence

  • Strategic Learning Facilitation

  • Continuous Improvement

Learn

  • Recommendations

  • Scaling

  • Organizational Learning

  • Future Evaluation Planning

Improve

Let’s Collaborate!

Interested in working together? Tell me a bit about your organization and what you're hoping to explore; whether that's an independent evaluation, a strategic learning partnership, or something you're still figuring out how to frame. I'll follow up directly to set up a first conversation.

Helpful to include:

  • Your organization and your role

  • What you're trying to learn, decide, or improve

  • Your general timeline and any funding or reporting constraints

I read every message personally and respond within a few business days.