Expertise

Executive Director of The Polis Center, an applied research center that collaborates to make data actionable for community health, equity, and resiliency. Leads a team of 25 staff building and using information technology and geographically precise data across a variety of domains and sectors to identify and address our community’s most pressing challenges. Has over 25 years of experience collaborating with nonprofits, government, foundations, and community-based organizations to improve policy, strategic plans, funding allocation, and advocacy efforts using a collaborative and data-informed approach.

Has an established reputation in community informatics and the democratization of data. Served as a consultant to nearly 20 cities across the nation on how to build a sustainable community information system and served on the executive committee of the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership, a 29-city collaboration lead by the Urban Institute to ensure all communities have access to data and the skills to use information to advance equity and well-being across neighborhoods. Served on several national and local advisory committees, provided leadership on community-wide education initiatives, and provided strategic planning and support to nonprofits and local government.

Communities
Bioinformatics, Management Information Systems, Information Science/Systems, Computer Science
Degrees
MA, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Geography; Geographic Information Systems and Urban Planning, 1998
BS, Northwest Missouri State University, Geography; Mathematics; Statistics, 1996
Keywords
geographic information systems local government social services leadership nonprofit organizations strategic planning computer science data analysis information science or systems