We believe that computer systems and software have the potential to make an enormous positive social and environmental impact. Underlying all of our evaluation work is the conviction that focusing on positive impact can go hand in hand with running a successful business.

Lisa’s personal interest in evaluation began when she was in her doctoral program at The University of Texas at Austin. She wanted to conduct interdisciplinary research that meant she would have to obtain ongoing buy-in from successful researchers who couldn’t have seen the world through more different eyes: computer science, experimental psychology and education. Each of these disciplines has very different, and equally valid, expectations about how to answer the question “How do you know it works?”

Lisa developed a philosophy guided by several principles:

• • listen to all stakeholder perspectives without prejudgment
  • build bridges between stakeholder perspectives
  • choose rigorous research methods that match both the question being asked and the person asking the question
  • maintain open communication and transparency in decision making

The colleagues who work with us share these values. We understand that projects that make a difference are inherently interdisciplinary and require evaluation strategies tailored to each unique context. All of us are committed to supporting organizations that want to demonstrate they are making a difference.