Expert Presenters: Nora Robinson, MSW, is the strategy director at WithInsight, bringing expertise in organizational development, partnerships, program design and project management. She has a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Minnesota, with a focus on nonprofit administration and management. Nora is known as a “social worker for nonprofits”—helping organizations meet their goals and fulfill their potential. Many of her clients have been social service agencies who serve people disproportionately affected by systemic inequities. Nora’s human-centered approach to continuous learning ensures that staff examine their individual and collective agency in strengthening the system for those they serve. She leans heavily on years of intercultural development training and facilitation training to empower teams to work across difference and prioritize equity. Through her experience building the capacity of nonprofits, foundations, and education institutions, Nora has developed a reputation as a trusted partner, facilitator and coach.

Kara Bixby, MPP, is the evaluation director at WithInsight, bringing expertise in program evaluation, data analytics and continuous improvement. She has a Master of Public Policy degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, with a focus on evaluation and education policy. Kara believes that when done well, evaluation can give voice to underrepresented individuals, empower staff to learn and develop their skills, and change systems to become equitable and effective. Through her roles as a consultant, internal evaluator at a foundation and school district employee, she has built relationships with diverse groups of people including educators, service providers, youth, and parents, many of which have experienced trauma. Her participatory approach to evaluation recognizes where people are coming from and gives them opportunities to engage in appropriate and culturally relevant ways.