IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A gray circle quartered into four phases “evaluate, reflect, align, and plan” that proceed clockwise. Each has a caption (evaluate: in what ways have we achieved our intended impact; reflect: what have we learned? how can we do better?) and so forth. The center of the circle reads: “IMPACT: the positive difference you make in the lives of your audiences.”
CAPTION: My approach to consulting emphasizes the need for professionals to be led by holistic, data-driven intention.
My “researcher” and “educator” pages detail the values, expertise, and skills that shape my work as a consultant. Being of direct service to the communities I study is a demonstrated commitment of mine. My research has shown me first-hand the tensions between the governing theories and ideas professionals embrace and the logistics of practice in their leadership, program and product development, and mission fulfillment. As a Consulting Analyst for RK&A working with clients in the culture sector, I have tested prototypes and concepts; spearheaded qualitative research design, data collection, and analysis for exhibits and programs; and developed recommendations for organizational practice emergent from strategic planning frameworks. I embrace Korn’s argument that making good on the passion that guides professional work requires planning and executing that work with “holistic intention.”
My approach to evaluation and management training as a consultant is guided by my being a big nerd. I pride myself on bringing, and making accessible, the management and methods research most relevant to your team or organization’s current challenge. My ability to do so derives from my training as a sociologist and nonprofit professional (including through Columbia University Business School’s Senior Leaders in NonProfit Management program), as well as my teaching background.
By putting ostensibly individual problems in a broader, research-driven context of opportunity and change, my consulting work empowers professionals, teams, and organizations with concrete tools and strategies. It also pushes forward what I call a “philosophy of practice:” a way of thinking and talking about not just how to do your work, but why to do it and why doing it that way matters.
Below I detail broad categories of evaluation and training opportunities I can offer you and your organization.
Before any training, you and I will talk through your organization’s or team’s needs and the reasons you are seeking out my expertise to clarify key questions and your specific goals.
Front-End/Formative Research
For those facing the following questions: Do you have a new audience you want to partner with, but you’re not sure how to approach it? Do you have some ideas of how to partner, but find yourself unsure if you’re on the right path? (Also, fun fact, in User Experience Research, some people refer to this work as prototype and usability testing. We can talk through the differences and why they matter.)
Remedial & Summative Program Evaluation
For those facing the following questions: Do you have a program or product that’s been around a long time, and you’re unsure if it’s doing what you want it to or what you originally intended? Do you have a program or product that’s been recently launched and is coming to the end of its first season, year, or grant cycle?
Evaluation Capacity-Building
As both a former non-profit professional and now a consultant, I have some mixed feelings about capacity-building, best summarized here in Vu Le’s fantastic blog. Rather than promise that after my workshop/s, you’ll be set to do all obligatory evaluation internally — or that you need me, and only me, to fulfill all your program evaluation needs — I take a middle-of-the-road approach. I aim to help you distinguish between when contracting out is necessary and when handling projects in-house will suffice, and I’ll give you the tools to accomplish the latter.
Diversity & Inclusion Training
Within the broad field of what management consultants and professionals refer to as DEI, or sometimes DEIA, I offer tailored workshops on accessible practice for users and audiences with disabilities. My trainings emphasize the importance of approaching equity holistically and intersectionally: that is, thinking about the intersection of multiple identities and how they shape people’s experiences in the world. We will discuss best practices for work with disabled audiences specifically (note my move away from person-first language — we can talk about why I did that and when/why you should!), as well as increasing awareness and building skills around promoting diversity and inclusion more generally.
Looking for something more customized within or outside of these, based on what you’ve read about my background, expertise, and available services? Please do get in touch.
Gemma Mangione 