A Commitment to Service

Our team consists of seasoned professionals who bring content expertise, experience, and a commitment to client service to every project.

Kristen Donovan, Ph.D.
Principal Consultant

Dr. Kristen Donovan is a social psychologist with over 17 years of applied research, evaluation, training and consulting experience. Serving as Principal Consultant of EVALCORP, Dr. Donovan assists public and private sector agencies in determining current and future needs, gathering data through

surveys

and other applied research methodologies, measuring the impacts of programs and initiatives, and providing planning and development services for maximized effectiveness. In addition to her quantitative and qualitative skills, Dr. Donovan maintains experience and content expertise in the fields of prevention, substance abuse treatment, criminal justice, mental health, public health, education, children’s services and organization development. She is an active member of the American Evaluation Association and Organization Development Network. Dr. Donovan is an Evaluation Advisor and Board Member to several

nonprofit organizations

serving youth in California. She holds M.A. and doctorate degrees in Applied Social Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, and a B.A. in Psychology with a Business Administration minor from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. She can be reached by sending an email to kdonovan@evalcorp.com.

Julie Slay, Ph.D.
Data Manager

Dr. Slay has been designing and implementing applied research projects for the past 15 years. As the Data Manager of EVALCORP, she provides consultation and assistance about how to collect, analyze, manage, and utilize data for program evaluation and other applied research initiatives. Dr. Slay is a skilled statistician and research methodologist, who also is able to communicate findings in ways that are most useful and beneficial to clients. Dr. Slay holds particular content expertise in the fields of mental health, early education, school readiness, criminal justice, and programs targeting at-risk youth populations. Dr. Slay has worked in public and private sector research environments supporting non-profit and government agencies to help increase organizational capacity to use research to promote quality and program improvement. She holds a M.A. and doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hawaii, Manoa, and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine. She can be reached by sending an email to jslay@evalcorp.com.

Mona Desai, MPH
Data Analyst

Ms. Desai has been developing mixed-methods evaluations and analyzing data for the past nine years. As the Data Analyst at EVALCORP, she provides consultation and assistance regarding how to collect, analyze, manage, and utilize data for program evaluation and other applied research initiatives. Ms. Desai has extensive experience in qualitative and quantitative research, including the development of data collection protocols and data analysis plans. She has implemented needs assessments and other applied research projects with homeless and runaway youth, pregnant teens, young men who have sex with men, and other at-risk youth populations. She has extensive experience designing both qualitative and quantitative data collection instruments, supervising data collection initiatives, establishing and managing databases, and running univariate and multivariate data analyses. Additionally, Ms. Desai has developed, programmed, and implemented computer assisted surveys using Questionnaire Development System software. She holds a Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology/Biostatistics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Puget Sound. She can be reached by sending an email to mdesai@evalcorp.com.

Tronie Rifkin, Ph.D.
Research Consultant

Dr. Tronie Rifkin is an education professional with 15 years of experience as an applied researcher, evaluator, manager, and consultant. As a Research Consultant with EVALCORP, Dr. Rifkin works with public and non-profit agencies in the education and social service sectors and has particular expertise evaluating health, mental health, and community-based programs, as well as educational programs targeting children and youth. She has expertise in all aspects of evaluation and research design, instrument development, quantitative and qualitative methods and analysis, and report writing. Her experience includes implementing successful strategies to address program evaluation challenges, using evaluation techniques that provide useful information for program improvement and decision-making, and analyzing and synthesizing data from multiple sources to identify program outcomes. Dr. Rifkin earned a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Research Methods from the University of California Los Angeles, a M.S. in Psychology from California State University Los Angeles, and a B.S. in Russian at Georgetown University. While at the University of California Los Angeles she received a Fulbright Fellowship to study at the University of Copenhagen. Dr. Rifkin can be reached by sending an email to trifkin@evalcorp.com.

Lisa Garbrecht, Ph.D.
Research Associate

Dr. Lisa Garbrecht is an educational psychologist with over 10 years of experience as an applied researcher and faculty member, along with four years of clinical experience as a certified substance abuse and mental health counselor with a diverse range of clientele. As a Research Associate at EVALCORP, Dr. Garbrecht works with public, nonprofit, and private sector agencies on projects in fields such as education, mental health, environmental prevention, early intervention, and treatment. Utilizing quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, she collaborates with agencies on

strategic planning

and implementation, data collection and analysis, and outcome reporting. Additionally, Dr. Garbrecht serves as an Adjunct Faculty at the University of California, Irvine Department of Education. She is a member of the American Evaluation Association, American Educational Research Association, and the Society for Research in Child Development. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Developmental Psychology from Arizona State University, and her M.A. in Counseling and B.S. in Journalism from Northern Arizona University. She can be reached by sending an email to lgarbrecht@evalcorp.com.

Shanelle Boyle, Ph.D.
Research Assistant

Dr. Shanelle Boyle is an organizational behavior psychologist with seven years of applied research and evaluation experience. As a Research Assistant at EVALCORP, Dr. Boyle assists clients in all stages of the evaluation process, including focusing evaluations, selecting designs, developing and implementing data collection methods, analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, and communicating and reporting findings. Dr. Boyle has worked with public and private sector organizations to help build their member’s capacity to conduct high quality evaluations and use findings to improve programs and meet organizational goals. Dr. Boyle has presented nationally at psychology and evaluation conferences, including the annual meetings of the American Evaluation Association, and is co-author of an American Journal of Evaluation article titled, “A Multidisciplinary Model of Evaluation Capacity Building.” She holds M.A. and doctorate degrees in Psychology in the area of Organizational Behavior, with a specialization in evaluation capacity building, from Claremont Graduate University, and a B.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University. She can be reached by sending an email to sboyle@evalcorp.com.

Silvia Esqueda, M.S., MFT
Project Consultant

Ms. Silvia Esqueda is a bilingual/bicultural researcher and licensed therapist, with over 15 years of experience assisting individuals and communities, as well as designing, implementing, managing and evaluating programs. Ms. Esqueda’s expertise includes facilitating focus groups, community forums, and key informant interviews; training and developing adults and youth to become community leaders; and conducting research related to mental health issues among Latinos living in the United States. Prior to joining the staff at EVALCORP, she worked for Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (LACADA) assisting families with substance abuse issues. While at LACADA, she designed health modules and program evaluation tools, and trained hundreds of Latina women to become Promotoras Comunitarias (Health Community Promoters). Ms. Esqueda’s prior experience also includes serving as Director for a Family Resource Center, where she carried out community-based needs assessments, and designed and implemented comprehensive programs for families. Ms Esqueda is an Adjunct Faculty for Pacific Oaks College and is currently serving in the Promotoras Comunitarias Mental Health Collaborative. Ms. Esqueda graduated from California State University Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, and a Masters Degree in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and holds a Pupil Personnel Credential. She can be reached by sending an email to sesqueda@evalcorp.com.

Erica Pachmann, M.A.
Project Assistant

Ms. Erica Pachmann is an organizational behavior psychologist with over three years of applied research and evaluation experience working with public, non-profit and private agencies in the fields of youth development, health promotion, prevention and organizational development. As a Project Assistant at EVALCORP, Ms. Pachmann collaborates with the team and clients on data collection tool design, data analysis and collection (e.g., through interviews, surveys, focus groups), and report writing. She maintains expertise in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, as well as database development and management. Ms. Pachmann also is proficient in developing and implementing evaluation plans and study protocols. Ms. Pachmann holds a M.A. degree in Psychology in the field of Organizational Behavior and Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University, and a B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton. She can be reached by sending an email to epachmann@evalcorp.com.

Brian Sims
GIS Specialist

Mr. Brian Sims is Geographer, Cartographer, and GIS Specialist with over eight years of experience in developing Geographic Information Systems (GIS). As GIS Specialist for EVALCORP, Mr. Sims assists clients in answering questions through the use of spatial analysis and delivery of spatial content through highly targeted, custom mapping products. Mr. Sims specializes in enterprise GIS program development, system architecture, and integration of GIS into organizational workflows. He has a diverse background in the field of GIS through his experience with Southern California Edison, AT&T, California Department of Fish & Game, California Wildfire Hazard Center, and as the GIS Coordinator for the City of Pasadena. Maps developed by Mr. Sims have been published in books, newsletters and other publications. He holds a B.S. in Geography and is working on a M.A. in Geography from CSU Long Beach. Mr. Sims also is an active member of the Urban and Regional Information System Association and the Project Management Institute. He can be reached via email at bsims@evalcorp.com.