Mary works closely with foundations, nonprofits, and public agencies to facilitate learning and translate it into action. She is energized by opportunities to connect with organizations to apply data-informed strategies and practices to their work. Through her work, Mary strives to effectively engage stakeholders, partnering with them to elevate what is working and what could be strengthened, and ultimately use research as a tool to support the development of more equitable and empowered communities.
Mary has been conducting mixed-methods evaluation and community-based research since 2003, focusing on social justice issues related to family wellness, early childhood, higher education, workforce development, health, the criminal justice system, and nonprofit capacity building and organizational resiliency. In the years prior to joining Engage R+D, she worked in a variety of research and evaluation positions in the nonprofit sector, academia, government, and the private sector. Working across these different sectors has provided Mary with a wide-ranging perspective and an interest in innovative approaches to learning and strategy, organizational development, and stakeholder engagement.
At Engage R+D, Mary is applying her skills balancing methodological rigor with real-time, action-oriented learning and storytelling to lead projects including a range of developmental evaluations and work centered on communities across the country.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts in Social Psychology, Boston College
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara
