The Effective Institutions Project (EIP) is a philanthropic advisory and research organization that invests in societal leadership to address major global challenges.

The Laidir Foundation is a philanthropic entity providing $2-3M annually to support initiatives for the benefit of humanity and future generations around the world.

I help mission-driven individuals and institutions achieve better outcomes via effective program design, thoughtful research, and wise decisions. I've completed dozens of projects in collaboration with Omidyar Network, Milken Institute Center for Strategic Philanthropy, International Rescue Committee, the State Government of Victoria (Australia), and more, and have led two issue-focused giving circles advising HNW and UHNW donors. Sample projects:Survival and Flourishing… Show more I help mission-driven individuals and institutions achieve better outcomes via effective program design, thoughtful research, and wise decisions. I've completed dozens of projects in collaboration with Omidyar Network, Milken Institute Center for Strategic Philanthropy, International Rescue Committee, the State Government of Victoria (Australia), and more, and have led two issue-focused giving circles advising HNW and UHNW donors. Sample projects:Survival and Flourishing FundConducted initial review, due diligence, and scoring of hundreds of grant applications to aid the distribution of close to $40M on behalf of the primary giving vehicle for philanthropist Jaan Tallinn. (2022-23)American Civil Liberties UnionCreated new theory of change, grant guidelines, application form, review criteria, and evaluation framework for ACLU’s Affiliate Support and Nationwide Initiatives department, reimagining nearly $25 million in annual capacity grants to 54 state and local ACLU chapters. In a subsequent engagement, I helped redesign the organization’s knowledge management platform to streamline collaboration across 1500+ national and affiliate staff. (2019-20)Funding Rational Actors Promptly Pandemic Endowment (FRAPPE)Co-led this giving circle of nearly two dozen tech industry donors seeking time-sensitive and globally neglected opportunities to address the COVID-19 crisis. Our published research directly informed more than $690,000 in contributions and was used by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation to guide its COVID grantmaking. (2020-21)Walton Family FoundationDelivered training, decision support services, and executive coaching to help Walton’s Strategy, Learning, and Evaluation Department orient its work behind the purpose of supporting strategic decision-making at the foundation. The team had cited my published writing to make the case to the board for this focus as part of its new five-year strategic plan. (2020) Show less

I worked with Democracy Fund’s Strategy, Impact and Learning team to bolster organizational capacity for strategic decision-making. Over the course of three projects, my deliverables included recommendations to strengthen the review process for nearly $40m in annual grantmaking, training for 35+ senior and program staff covering forecasting skills and decision analysis, and a concept paper on principles of effective risk management in complex systems.

Leader of grassroots think tank and online publication investigating the most important issues in the arts and what we can do about them. Published nearly a dozen research synthesis reports, drawing more traffic over a three-year period than the top research publications of the National Endowment for the Arts. Reviewed hundreds of research studies either on my own or by training, overseeing, and editing the work of others, earning international acclaim for effectively distilling insights for a… Show more Leader of grassroots think tank and online publication investigating the most important issues in the arts and what we can do about them. Published nearly a dozen research synthesis reports, drawing more traffic over a three-year period than the top research publications of the National Endowment for the Arts. Reviewed hundreds of research studies either on my own or by training, overseeing, and editing the work of others, earning international acclaim for effectively distilling insights for a broad and nontechnical audience. Built audience of 13,500+ email/RSS/Twitter subscribers and 20,000 visitors/month from scratch, including influential leaders at all levels. Raised nearly $200K from donors, partners, and major national arts funders. Managed 12-member paid editorial team and 25 volunteers. Show less

Senior executive for $20M national nonprofit technology company as headcount tripled during tenure. Designed and implemented evidence-based decision-making practices and conducted data analysis for business decisions using SQL, Excel, and Metabase. Led staffwide implementation of Objectives & Key Results (OKR) performance management framework. Oversaw product design/development for $3M+ multi-city civic data initiative. Created initial diligence criteria and served as Investment Committee… Show more Senior executive for $20M national nonprofit technology company as headcount tripled during tenure. Designed and implemented evidence-based decision-making practices and conducted data analysis for business decisions using SQL, Excel, and Metabase. Led staffwide implementation of Objectives & Key Results (OKR) performance management framework. Oversaw product design/development for $3M+ multi-city civic data initiative. Created initial diligence criteria and served as Investment Committee member for new VC fund leveraging exponential technologies for human creativity. Led Fractured Atlas Advisory Services delivering expert consultation to external clients including William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Harvard University, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, ArtsWave, and Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History. Supervised five FTEs, managed dozens of vendor relationships.Jan 2010-Aug 2014: Research DirectorSep 2014-Jul 2016: Senior Director of Information Strategy Show less

Co-created $9 billion foundation’s first-ever logic model for its $20 million/year Performing Arts Program. Developed strategic plan for dynamic, interactive cultural asset map of the Bay Area, leading to $600k+ investment. Analyzed and presented final recommendation for $590,000 regranting initiative.

Created and built first-of-its-kind collaborative chorus into the largest vocal group in the United States exclusively performing music by living composers. Managed team of 13 volunteer board members and 41 choristers, and facilitated successful leadership transition after 18 months. Returned to board of directors in 2011-12 and 2013-14. C4 has inspired three spinoff groups in Boston, Los Angeles, and Austin, and its innovative organizational model is the subject of a published doctoral… Show more Created and built first-of-its-kind collaborative chorus into the largest vocal group in the United States exclusively performing music by living composers. Managed team of 13 volunteer board members and 41 choristers, and facilitated successful leadership transition after 18 months. Returned to board of directors in 2011-12 and 2013-14. C4 has inspired three spinoff groups in Boston, Los Angeles, and Austin, and its innovative organizational model is the subject of a published doctoral dissertation by Julian Bryson. Show less

Founded pioneering electric new-music ensemble that presented 16 concerts, participated in several festivals, recorded an album, and toured parts of the East Coast.