We are excited to welcome Danielle Garcia to the team as a Research Associate II! Danielle’s passion for making the most of data, combined with her extensive experience in public health, research, and evaluation, makes her a valuable addition to our team. She holds degrees in Health Promotion & Disease Prevention and Nonprofits from the University of Southern California (USC) and in Evaluation & Applied Research from Claremont Graduate University. Danielle has worked on impactful projects ranging from studying childhood obesity in California to leading data efforts for nonprofit agencies addressing housing insecurity.
Most recently, she served as the Data & Evaluation Senior Manager for a family-economic mobility pilot in Nashville, Tennessee, where she explored the “benefits cliff”—a phenomenon where families lose public benefits due to income increases. Danielle’s expertise and dedication to driving meaningful change through data make her an exciting addition to our work at SPS!
We asked Danielle to tell us a little more about herself…
What are you excited to work on with SPS?
I am most excited to partner with communities & local agencies in supporting their data-related efforts and celebrating their successes through storytelling. And working alongside a team of experienced professionals at SPS!
What is unique about your approach to your work, and how has it contributed to your success?
I am a big advocate of making the most out of data and love to partner with agencies in this area. I have worked with Leaders & Direct Staff doing “Data Dives” where we reviewed series of reports & tables to answer programmatic questions. These conversations led to strategy planning & actionable next steps!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself continuing to partner with communities & local agencies in making the most of their data & evaluation efforts.
Why did you choose to get your degree in what you did?
I studied Public Health because of my interest in Maternal & Child Health within the Hispanic Community. Early into these studies, I developed an interest in the monitoring & evaluation efforts of large-scale programs & interventions combatting issues like Infant Mortality & Cervical Cancer. I knew early on I wanted to work at the intersection of research & the social sector.
What motivated you to complete your degree?
My family & my passion for the social sector. Being a first-generation college student and one of the first in my family to pursue graduate studies, my family is at the core of what I do today. Second, is my passion for partnering with the community & local agencies in working towards a greater mission.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy exploring local thrift stores for unique & quirky finds, reading classical books, visiting art museums, or planning for an adventure - whether that is exploring nature or experiencing a new city.
Can you share two or three examples of achievements you’re most proud of?
Running a marathon and completing it in under 4 hours!
At a previous organization, I established an organizational culture around data that promoted staff’s curiosity and desire to make meaning from it.
We are so excited to have Danielle join our team! To learn more about Danielle, click here to visit her team bio.
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