215 - Advancing Evaluation in Philanthropy Fellowship: Meet the Fellows

Stream: Professional Development and Leadership

Thursday, October 24, 2024

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PST

Abstract Information: Evaluators and funders have unique but complementary roles in supporting major and overdue social change. However, frequently, professionals in these areas do not collaborate sufficiently to produce the desired outcomes, at scale. To address this gap, the Center on Research and Evaluation (CORE) at Southern Methodist University’s (SMU’s) Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development (Simmons) has partnered with the Walton Family Foundation (WFF) to develop the Advancing Evaluation in Philanthropy (AEP) Fellowship. The goal of the two-year Fellowship is to build a diverse cadre of professionals who can work innovatively at the intersection of evaluation and philanthropy. The AEP Fellowship aims to expose Fellows to both evaluation and philanthropy settings, issues, and skills and support them in building a set of competencies that bridge those two settings. Together CORE and WFF have launched a successful inaugural cycle of the (AEP) Fellowship, with the first of two current fellows about to complete the two-year program. Upon reflecting on the development of the fellowship over these two years we believe there is a lot to share with potential peer funders and evaluators who would like to replicate this model as well as a lot to learn as we continue to optimize the AEP fellowship to promote Fellows’ learning and growth. This poster will highlight the logistics of the AEP fellowship and spark discussion about how to effectively build a pathway for new evaluators as well as bridge the gap between evaluation and philanthropy. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with current fellows to discuss their experiences and engage in thought partnership.

Presenter(s)

Celeste Fernandez, PhD

Advacing Evaluation in Philanthropy Fellow
Southern Methodist University, United States
EL

Endaisia Love, M.Ed.

Advancing Evaluation in Philanthropy Fellow
Southern Methodist University, United States

Author(s)

AW

Annie Wright, n/a

Executive Director of the Center on Research and Evaluation
Southern Methodist University, United States
PR

Patty Russell, n/a

Social Impact Strategist and Philanthropic Consultant
Russell Advisory Services, LLC, United States
JD

Jeff Dean, n/a

Senior Strategy Learning and Evaluation Department Officer
Walton Family Foundation, United States
AS

Anupama Shekar, n/a

Evaluation Manager
Southern Methodist University, United States
TF

Tina Fletcher, n/a

Senior Officer
Walton Family Foundation, United States
PL

Paula Langley, n/a

Strategy Learning and Evaluation Department Officer
Walton Family Foundation, United States