Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Drew Reynolds, Principal Consultant with Common Good Data, who shares some of his background and what led him to launch his company working with nonprofits and public sector clients to help them evaluate programs and use data to measure their impact. Drew received his PhD and MSW from the Boston College School of Social Work and MEd from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to starting Common Good Data, Drew was an Assistant Professor of Social Work at UNC Charlotte. He currently lectures at Georgia State University in the School of Social Work, and has over 12 years of experience working with nonprofits and public sector clients to help them evaluate programs and use data to measure their impact.
During the interview, Drew highlights Common Good Data and discusses the importance of data in the nonprofit/social sector. He talks about starting with the key question, “What is it that you want the people you serve to be able to do as a result of your work,” and then how that question can guide the metrics measured. He shares examples and ways nonprofits can create a “Culture of Data” and use data to make decisions, enhance strategic planning, inspire and guide employees, drive improved outcomes and results for the community served, and help generate additional funding and support. He also talks about how data can be made more accessible and how leaders can model using it with their teams, as well as how data can be used for advocacy out in the community.
Drew wraps up discussing how this work has impacted him in his own business and helped clarify the need for balance in using data together with experience and intuition, as well as how the ripple impact of his efforts in helping nonprofits has become a personal and professional motivator to do even more to help make a difference.
Visit https://www.commongooddata.com to learn more about Common Good Data and https://www.commongooddata.com/podcast to learn more about The Common Good Data Podcast.
