Resume
Summary
As an interdisciplinary researcher skilled in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, I am passionate about conducting policy-relevant research and data-driven program evaluations. Specializing in social innovation, my research interests include social finance, international development, collaborative governance, co-production, and systems change.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Public Policy & Management
Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California
May 2024
- Specializations: Social Innovation & Program Evaluation
- Dissertation: Outcomes-Based Contracting through Impact Bonds: Ties to Social Innovation, Systems Change, and International Development
- Future Faculty Teaching Institute Certification
Master of Public Policy (MPP), Certificate in International Policy and Planning
Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California
May 2018
- Price Women & Allies Board Member
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Diplomacy & World Affairs (Major), Economics (Minor)
Occidental College
May 2012
- Microfinance Investment Fund Board Member
Professional Experience
Independent Researcher/Consultant
Self-Employed
June 2024 - present | Los Angeles, CA
- Design, conduct, and support research studies and program evaluations.
- Manage research assistants, conduct literature reviews, and employ mixed-methods approaches to produce policy-facing insights.
- Share findings through presentations and academic articles, including a peer-reviewed book chapter and two academic conferences.
Doctoral Researcher
University of Southern California
August 2018 - May 2024 | Los Angeles, CA
- Designed and executed independent studies on Outcomes-Based Contracts.
- Collected primary data through stakeholder interviews and conducted rigorous qualitative analysis using process tracing and thematic coding through NVivo.
- Disseminated research through a published dissertation as well as presentations, panels, and posters at three academic conferences.
Research Assistant
Price Center for Social Innovation
August 2018 - July 2023 | Los Angeles, CA
- Collaborated on research projects assessing Social Impact Bonds and Emergency Aid funds.
- Supervised research assistants and liaised with clients throughout the design, implementation, and evaluation of social innovation programs.
- Conducted literature reviews, participant and stakeholder interviews, and quantitative and qualitative data analyses using Stata and NVivo.
- Co-authored five publications and participated in three academic conferences and a podcast.
Research Assistant
Gould School of Law
September 2017 - May 2020 | Los Angeles, CA
- Provided research assistance for projects related to immigration detention, conducting literature reviews and preparing quantitative data for analysis using Excel and Stata.
- Co-designed a participatory study to explore the impacts of Community Bail Funds using interviews and surveys.
- Awarded two research fellowships from the Immigrants and Global Migration Initiative and the Linnie and Michael Katz Endowment.
Student Consultant
University of Southern California
August 2017 - May 2018 | Los Angeles, CA
- Partnered with three other students to consult with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
- Developed a framework for identifying effective and transferable approaches for promoting good governance and sustainable development.
- Analyzed four global case studies, including by conducting interviews with program coordinators and academic professionals.
- Presented findings from the final report at the United Nations.
Research Assistant
Milken Institute, Center for the Future of Aging
August 2017 - December 2017 | Los Angeles, CA
- Researched initiatives for successful aging programs in support of the Mayor's Pledge, a campaign to make communities more livable for older populations.
- Cleaned, analyzed, and visualized data in support of the Best Cities for Successful Aging report.
- Provided research support as-needed for conferences and presentations.
Student Consultant
University of Southern California
January 2017 - June 2017 | Los Angeles, CA
- Worked on a seven-person consulting team for the Italian Civil Protection Agency.
- Created a person-centric approach to disaster response, with a focus on social media.
- Met with members from the local media, nonprofit, and private sectors in Milan to identify major stakeholders and objectives.
- Helped prepare the final report and presented findings to the Agency in Milan.
Account Executive
Charity Brands Consulting
October 2016 - May 2017 | Los Angeles, CA
- Researched companies whose corporate social responsibility objectives matched our clients’ interests.
- Identified organizational alignments for public-private partnerships and mission-driven campaigns.
- Wrote memoranda outlining client strategies and potential partners.
Teaching and Mentorship Experience
Adjunct Lecturer (Master-Level)
University of Southern California
- Policy and Program Evaluation (Spring 2026)
- Foundations of Public Policy Analysis (Fall 2025)
Mentor (Master-Level)
University of Southern California
- Price Professional Mentorship Program (2024 - 2025)
Teaching Assistant (Master-Level)
University of Southern California
- Applied Econometrics for Program Evaluation (Fall 2020)
- Policy Analysis Practicum (Summer 2019 - Spring 2020)
- Economics for Policy, Planning & Development (Summer 2017)
Publications
Results-Based Funding via Development Impact Bonds Stakeholder Perceptions on Benefits and Costs
This chapter analyzes stakeholder perceptions of Development Impact Bonds across seven projects, noting both model benefits and implementation hurdles.
Program Design to Ease Administrative Burden in Times of Crisis: An Evaluation of Two Emergency Aid Programs in Los Angeles
This article explores how Emergency Aid (EA) programs can be designed to reach those students most in need while responsibly managing limited budgets and without imposing overly-burdensome application requirements.
Can a Focus on Co-Created, Strengths-Based Services Facilitate Early-Stage Innovation within Social Impact Bonds?
This article examines how co-created, strengths-based services within Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) can catalyze early-stage innovation, using four UK SIBs as case studies.
Are social impact bonds an innovation in finance or do they help finance social innovation?
This article evaluates whether Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) align with social innovation theories by analyzing their role in financing social goods production and scaling innovation.
An evaluation of the emergency aid programs at the University of Southern California and Los Angeles Community College District
This report evaluates the impact and effectiveness of emergency aid programs at USC and LACCD, providing insights on how these programs support student success.
Social impact bonds 2.0? Findings from a study of four UK SIBs
This briefing explores the evolution of Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) in the UK, focusing on how SIBs 2.0 can deliver innovative approaches to public service delivery.
Honors and Awards
- Henry Reining Award for Best Dissertation (2024)
- Price Fifth Year Fellowship (2022 - 2023)
- USC Graduate School Summer Research & Writing Grant (2022)
- Price/Graduate School Fellowship (2018 - 2022)
- Immigrants & Global Migration Initiative Research Fellowship (2019)
- Linnie & Michael Katz Endowed Research Fellowship (2018)
- Robert P. Biller Award for Best Policy Analysis (2018)
Skills
- Qualitative & Quantitative Methodologies
- Research Design, Policy Analysis, & Program Evaluation
- Writing Academic Articles, Evaluation Reports, & Policy Briefings
- Presenting & Communicating Findings to Broad Audiences
- Stakeholder Engagement & Cultural Competency
- Experience with STATA, NVivo, ATLAS.ti, ArcGISPro, Canva & Python
Languages
- English: Native proficiency
- French: Advanced proficiency