The Pathfinder Solutions, Inc.
approach focuses not only on assessing results of a project after it has been completed, but on building organizational capacity
to measure progress throughout the life of a project, identifying useful information that will enhance what is effective,
and set aside what is not.
We conduct primary and secondary research,
literature review, document and policy analysis, manage and conduct extensive process and outcome evaluations, develop evaluation
instruments, lead focus groups, conduct surveys and individual interviews, perform qualitative and quantitative analysis using
Access, Excel, NVivo, and SPSS, provide technical assistance and training, present findings, and write proposals, literature
reviews, and reports.
Select Project Descriptions
¨ Path With A Heart – Comprehensive primary and secondary
research is currently being conducted for a book we are writing, entitled Path With A Heart
(2008 to present). This research has also inspired the development of a larger initiative, which is focused on leadership
succession challenges for foundations and nonprofits. Please see the direct link to Path With A Heart on this website
for more information.
¨ Building Strong and Ethical Foundations Initiative – Research for the Conference of Southwest Foundations under a grant from the Council on Foundations (multi-state project, 2006 to 2008). This project involved extensive secondary research, and
primary research involving 37 in-depth interviews with foundation Board Chairs and Executive Directors, and analysis of self-assessments
resulting from a series of eight “Foundation Learning Circles” in four states with 100+ board members and Executive
Directors from 69 foundations on topics related to foundation governance, strategic grantmaking, evaluation and organizational
learning.
¨
Colorado Obesity Scan – Research for the Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (Colorado, 2006) – As part of the Conservation Impact team, Alex conducted research regarding obesity
prevention and treatment efforts statewide. Analysis included building a picture of gaps and assets and providing recommendations
to the state health department for future endeavors.
¨
Research for Environmental
Organizations – Working with Conservation Impact, Alex conducted primary and secondary research and provided technical assistance
for a variety of environmental groups and organizations (2005 to 2006), including a public outreach campaign to improve effectiveness
of alternative transportation programs for Wood River Rideshare in
Idaho; a project aimed at understand and enhance engagement of target audiences for the Mohonk Preserve in New York; research on environmentally sensitive habitat in Georgia and Alabama
to assist the Chattowa Open Land Trust in developing a five-year
strategic plan; and secondary research and interview analysis for projects to guide organizational development and create
long range conservation plans for the Trust for Public Lands in New
York and Arizona.
¨
HRSA Grantee Performance Measures – This project
involved the development of evaluation design and tools for the Health Resources
& Services Administration Region VIII, Office
of Performance Review (2006). With the REFT Institute, Alex assisted in assessing needs and coordinating with Office of Performance
Review staff to clarify HRSA grantee performance measures, and developing evaluation instruments.
¨ Oral Health Improvement Initiative – This evaluation was conducted for the Caring for Colorado Foundation
(Colorado, 2002 to 2006). Alex assisted the REFT Institute with this three-year cumulative outcome evaluation of oral health
services provided to multi-cultural, low-income Colorado communities in both urban and rural settings. Alex conducted analysis
of process and quantitative outcome data, and wrote grantee-specific and aggregate reports for the foundation.
¨ Miles for Smiles Mobile Dental Health Clinic – This evaluation was conducted for Kids in
Need of Dentistry and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
(Colorado, 2002 to 2004). Working with the REFT Institute, Alex conducted process and outcome evaluation of oral health education
efforts and a mobile dental clinic serving rural, culturally diverse, low-income children. Alex conducted site visits, interviews
and focus group; used NVivo software for qualitative data analysis; and wrote grantee-specific and aggregate reports.
¨ Denver Faith Networks
Initiative – This research project was conducted for the Annie E.
Casey Foundation (Colorado, 2003). Alex assisted the REFT
Institute with a descriptive evaluation designed to discover how faith networks serve the greater Denver communities. Alex
coordinated focus groups and conducted interviews with members of Jewish, Muslim Arab, and Christian African American faith
networks in the metro-Denver area.
¨
Supporting Immigrant and Refugee
Families Initiative – This project involved conducting
an evaluation feasibility study for The Colorado Trust and Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning (Colorado, 2001 to 2002). Together
with others from the REFT Institute and the Latin American Research and Service Agency, Alex examined the potential of conducting
mental health related outcome evaluation across diverse culture groups and languages. Culture groups included Arabic, Mexican,
Bosnian, Q’anjob’al (from Guatemala), Ethiopian, Russian, Hmong, and Vietnamese immigrants and refugees.
¨ Social Marketing to Reduce Unintended Pregnancy – This evaluation was conducted for the Health Resources
and Services Administration Region VIII and the Planned Parenthood Association (2000 to 2001). Working with the REFT Institute,
Alex observed and evaluated social marketing training (conducted by JSI); conducted interviews with rural family planning
staff and administrators, regional administrators, and community partners in six northwestern states; analyzed results, wrote
reports with recommendations and presented findings to federal HHS administrators and Region VIII family planning directors.
¨ Columbine Shootings Victims Service Response Evaluation – This evaluation was conducted for the Jefferson
County Sheriff’s Office of Victim Services and the Mental
Health Association of Colorado (Colorado, 1999 to 2001). For this project, Alex conducted primary and secondary
research on victim’s assistance in circumstances of mass violence, such as the Columbine High School shootings and the
Oklahoma City bombing. She wrote a literature review, conducted phone interviews with nearly 150 Columbine High School families;
developed a time-analysis of community needs and community leader and mental health service provider responses over a 1-year
period.
¨ Family Learning Center K-12 Youth Program Evaluation –
Alex served as the internal evaluator under a multi-year grant from
the Youth Crime Prevention and Intervention Program of the State Department of Local Affairs, Community Partnership Office (Colorado,
1995 – 1998). Funding for this program also came from the United Way
and the CO State Department of Justice. Alex developed logic
models, conducted surveys and coordinated interviews with youth, parents and teachers, tracked grades and other outcome measures,
and used both qualitative and quantitative data, and outcome measures, for report writing.
¨
Community Studies & Service
Program –
Alex served as the internal evaluator for a project funded by multiple foundations
for San Francisco School Volunteers and the San Francisco Public School District (California, 1989 – 1991). Funding for
this project came from the Koret Foundation, Mary Crocker Trust, Stuart Foundation,
and the Walter and Elise Haas Foundation. Working together with a firm in Berkeley called Organizational Data, Alex coordinated an extensive three-year process and outcomes
evaluation, including interviews with teachers, school district personnel, and community leaders. She also conducted student
surveys and tracked grades and attendance.
