Laura Richards Email and Phone Number

-Informed strategic decision making by utilizing mixed-methods approaches and synthesizing evidence across multiple qualitative and quantitative sources to establish key insights aligned with learning needs.-Lead and managed multiple evaluation and learning initiatives simultaneously with purpose-driven organizations, including maintaining positive client relationships, managing 2-4 team members and project logistics (including timeline and budget), and shepherding the full evaluation design while keeping the 20,000-foot view of the project.-Built evaluation mindsets and technical capacity through training, workshops, coaching, and structured capacity building projects.-Engaged in business development for the company, including building and maintaining new and existing relationships, sourcing new project opportunities, determining project fit, and developing and submitting high-quality proposals.-Served in an interim leadership capacity during company transition. On the Interim Executive Team, I made financial and business decisions for the company, supported and guided staff, and oversaw the operations of the company.

Coordinated the strategic planning process with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, using data to inform strategic direction.Developed and refined the organizational and programmatic theories of change and logic models.Created systems for ongoing process and outcome evaluation, data management and continuous quality improvement. Conducted internal evaluations, including the administration, analysis, and reporting of annual participant outcome survey, conducting interviews and focus groups with participants, and tracking and reporting indicators of success.Used evaluation, data, and best practices to inform the development and improvement of programming.Identified potential funding sources, develop grant proposals and reports, cultivated new and existing funder relationships, and managed awards granted to ensure requirements are met.Supported communication efforts via marketing and social media; ensured that communications reflect theory of change and data.

Work with the Executive Director to conceptualize funding request based on program need, organizational development, and strategic planning. Write foundation grant proposals to develop new and expand current programming. To date, 86% of proposals have been funded.Write year-end grant reports to the funder, highlighting the use of funds, implementation of programs, accomplishments under the grant funding, and participant outcomes.

Manage 5-7 evaluation projects concurrently. Provide consultation and technical assistance to project teams for all Program Evaluation Group projects (up to 25 at a time).Engage potential clients to determine evaluation needs, develop scopes of work and contracts, grant proposals, and budgets. Develop and implement the evaluation design and plan.Create surveys, focus group and interview protocols, and data collection tools. Collect qualitative data through focus groups and interviews and conduct qualitative analysis. Conduct quantitative data analysis using SPSS and Stata.Disseminate evaluation results to key stakeholders and community members, including reports, executive summaries, PowerPoint presentations, and one-page handouts, utilizing data visualization best practices.Train students and staff in evaluation theory, evaluation design, quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, reporting, and data visualization.Supervise students and staff, including managing tasks, performance reviews, and monitoring workload.

Led a group of volunteers in the planning and execution of Ally Training, including logistics, presentation materials, and follow-ups. Led a workgroup on developing a county-wide sexual assault response protocol for the Washtenaw County Sexual Assault Response Team (WC SART). Provided crisis intervention and medical, academic, and legal advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, and sexual harassment. Evaluated and recommended revisions to the University of Michigan's Sexual Assault Policy. Investigated and appraised alternative conflict resolution (ACR) techniques for the use in campus sexual violence cases. Provided crisis intervention on a 24-hour crisis line. Networked with campus departments and community organizations to effectively provide services for survivors and coordinate prevention, education, and response efforts.

Assisted with the development of syllabus, lesson plans, and assignments. Lead discussions on evaluation methods, data visualization, and reporting.Consulted with three students groups on their community-based evaluation projects.

Worked directly with the Chief Operating Officer to prepare for the Council on Accreditation (COA) re-accreditation. Surveyed Board of Directors and CSSWC staff on organizational culture, mission and vision, strategic planning, strengths, and areas of improvement for the organization; reported results.Interviewed program directors to understand program theory of change, implementation, and expected outcomes.Consulted on areas for program development to meet and exceed COA standards.

Member of a research project looking at effective and innovative practices in the integration of services for intimate partner violence and alcohol and other drugs treatment. I use Qualtrics and SPSS to analyze survey results. I conduct interviews with organizations about how they address intimate partner violence and alcohol and other drug use together. I supervise one to two undergraduate research assistants in their research and team participation. In the past, I provided administrative support for the team, including fielding phone calls, maintaining databases, and organizing results.

Customer service retail work. I was in charge of the Newsstand: I received newsstand shipments, kept the newsstand current, and maintained and created corresponding displays.

Assisted a political science professor in research on the role of gender and race in the 2008 presidential election.

Helping Urban Beloit (HUB) works with pregnant and parenting teens to reach self-sufficiency. I helped to develop a fundraising campaign as well as a positive reinforcement system to encourage client participation in programs. I also assisted with office tasks and child care during support group meetings.

I worked with clients to determine their needs at the food pantry and in the clothing room; I conducted client intake; I worked in the food pantry and clothing room; I assisted with the organization and client intake for their annual Thanksgiving food drive.

I supervised 9 to 18 adolescents in a residential, academic camp setting. I worked with other RA's to plan and execute daily and weekend activities. I supervised campers in an academic setting.