When we accurately understand the true nature and depth of social problems we can address them effectively. William Matson is dedicated to harnessing the power of data to address difficult community issues, including health disparities, poverty and homelessness.Matson co-founded Pathways Community Network Institute in 1998. Pathways is a nonprofit organization that helps government and nonprofit leaders collect, understand and utilize human services data. Pathways data analysis gives these leaders important insights as they work to improve the effectiveness of health and poverty initiatives. Its studies have been used to inform government funding allocation processes and to set realistic, achievable community goals. Pathways is known for its work on special population counts and surveys, assessment design, and studies of human services recidivism and recurrence. For the past ten years Pathways has partnered with a sister nonprofit, Municipal Information Systems Inc. Working together as Pathways MISI, they specialize in serving small to mid sized communities, and currently support cities, counties, Continua of Care and larger nonprofit organizations in six US states.For six years, William Matson led a data-related national trade association - the National Human Services Data Consortium - through its strongest growth period, as attendance at its semiannual conferences doubled and the organization's board grew in depth and experience.Prior to joining the nonprofit sector, William Matson was a major market radio news anchor and reporter. His work was featured on the ABC, NBC, CBS, NPR and BBC networks. He also contributed articles to Gannet Newspapers and served as a regional general desk editor at United Press International (UPI). He received more than a dozen awards during his journalism career. Matson is married and lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Favorite quote: "Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time." - Steven Wright