Esther is an evaluation evangelist committed to building the culture and capacity of organizations

About the Founder

Esther has spent the past two decades working at the intersection of research, strategy, and policy.

She started out in 2008 with the goal of improving patient outcomes as a sports medicine clinician. Since then, she has elevated and shifted her focus on performance measurement from evaluating individuals to organizational programs and policies through systems-oriented research and evaluation.

Esther is known for her uncanny ability to quickly see both the forest and the trees in complex situations. The skill of being able to toggle between zooming in and out both helps her see the details and the big picture simultaneously. She also never works in a vacuum. While Esther is a natural self-starter and problem solver, she takes an engaged approach to working through thorny issues with partners to consider holistically the contexts, factors, relationships, and circumstances that are at play.

She is proud to continue seeking opportunities to center equity and resiliency in efforts to advance the field and practice of evaluation.

More about Esther:

  • Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Achiever, Learner, Relator, Intellection, Responsibility

  • Working Geniuses: The Insightful Collaborator (Discernment | Enablement)

  • Myers-Briggs: ISFJ

She’s top rate—has a rare combination of curiosity, contagious to be in community, and inspires the things that touch her deeply.

- Rodney Hopson

Mentor and Frequent Collaborator

Expertise

Esther is a demonstrated leader dedicated to organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

EDUCATION

  • PhD in Education - Research & Evaluation Methods 

    • Secondary specialization: Health & Education Policy

  • Master’s in Education - Kinesiology

  • Bachelor of Science - Athletic Training

    • Minors: Psychology and Biology

EXPERTISE

  • Measurement, survey, and qualitative research methods

  • Engagement in research and evaluation

  • Ethnography and sociolinguistics

  • Research on evaluation

  • Evaluation strategy and policy

  • Data strategy, management, and governance

  • Leading DEI initiatives

  • Facilitation - specializing in strategic visioning and planning

  • Strategic leadership and management

  • Certified CoreXM Expert (Qualtrics)

  • Certified WhatWorks Clearinghouse Reviewer (DOEd IES)

EXCELLENCE

EXPERIENCE

  • Over 50 research and evaluation projects on diverse topics across multiple sectors

  • Over 100 presentations, invited talks, and guest lectures for varying topics and audiences

  • Over a decade of experience as a clinician and clinical researcher

  • Managed and facilitated over a dozen working, advisory, steering, governance, and strategic groups

  • Written dozens of blogs and other written works published

  • Over 20 years of volunteer service to professional organizations (e.g., Board member, committee member, peer reviewer, research/speech/debate competition judge)

  • Taught over 20 unique undergraduate and graduate courses across seven universities

  • Led and participated in numerous communities of practice to build the culture and capacity of evaluation, bolster grant-making practices, and fun

Out of Office

Things you may not know about Esther…

Proper STEAM Nerd

Esther is a trained statistician who was raised by scientists and engineers, and the wife of a math teacher turned data scientist. Naturally, they consider Pi Day a religious holiday (peep the acrostic here).

As a classically trained dancer and musician in her youth, Esther also loves and continues to support the arts as often as possible. During the summer, you can likely find her at an outdoor concert. It may not surprise you that some of her favorite projects have been evaluating STEM and arts education programs!  

Issue Eclectic

You call it being multi-disciplinary or even issue agnostic, she calls it being “issue eclectic.” Esther’s interests and experiences span many different domains, and that is also not untrue of her (virtual) bookshelf or playlists. She is an avid listener of audiobooks, podcasts, and music of many different genres and topics. In her work, this means she naturally draws ideas from various disciplines and seamlessly translates her skills across different contexts!

Ever the Logical Thinker

She is obsessed with puzzles (all kinds). Esther starts each day playing 11 quick puzzles on her phone and doesn’t shy away from other puzzles or board games that require some teamwork, logical thinking, or problem solving. This is why Esther often treats her work as if she is solving a puzzle. Similar to her family game nights, she approaches her work with strategy, data, and fun!

Reach out if you want to share your favorite pie recipes, books, podcasts, playlists, or puzzles with Esther!