I understand the challenges mission-driven organizations face because I’ve been there. Before I pursued my PhD to become a social scientist, researcher, and evaluator, I worked for years as a program manager in nonprofits and education. I served in Americorps VISTA, managed professional development and education programs for national nonprofits in New York City, earned an MPA in public and nonprofit management, and co-founded a school in the Philippines for an NGO focused on poverty alleviation. These experiences fueled my passion for empowering others to reach their full potential, especially those from marginalized groups. I saw the powerful difference these organizations can make in people’s lives, but also how difficult it can be to design and implement effective programs and measure success. Now, I partner with these organizations to help them use research, evaluation, and social science to empower the people and communities they serve and demonstrate impact.