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Heather Hudson / November 7, 2024

2024 AEA Conference

Collaborative Work Groups

Shine at the 2024 American Evaluation Association Conference

We’re thrilled that the Collaborative Work Group (CWG) evaluators and facilitator recently participated in the 2024 American Evaluation Association (AEA) Conference in Portland, Oregon, where they conducted a panel discussion. Their panel, “Strengthening Partnerships and Building Capacity in Emerging Evaluators,” reflected on two years of evaluation work to support locally-driven solutions addressing cancer disparities.

Spotlight on the Panel: Pioneering New Approaches to Evaluation

Our panel included a skilled and dedicated team of evaluators and facilitators, represented by Felicia Fairfield, Jada Proctor, Kailey Taebel and evaluation lead consultant Laura Pinsoneault.

Together, they shared a fresh approach to the field of evaluation, and how people can expand the field with more creative training strategies. Representing the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation, the Center for Urban Population Health and Evaluation Plus, these staff discussed the importance of inviting new evaluators from varied backgrounds and perspectives to contribute to the work of evaluation in community health programs and research.

Their panel presentation highlighted a unique community of practice developed to foster learning and capacity-building among emerging evaluators. This approach builds skills and offers a space in which to explore and test them. Long-term, it enriches the storytelling around these initiatives. The panel emphasized that a “good” evaluator isn’t necessarily someone with traditional training. Often, the best storytellers bring a unique perspective informed by their diverse life experiences. This broadening of criteria for evaluators is key to more authentically representing the communities we serve.

Key Takeaways for the Audience

Each panel member shared an insight they hoped the audience would carry forward:

Felicia Fairfield, Evaluator & Storyteller:

“Build a culture where diversity can thrive. Be open to questioning organizational norms, and reflect on whether policies are hindering diversity in the field. Embrace those uncomfortable conversations so we can all learn, grow, and make meaningful change.”

Kelly Hackett, WWHF:

“We tend to formalize everything, talking about careers and projects as if there’s only one ‘right’ path. But if we continue to approach things the same way—whether it’s hiring practices, defining ‘qualified’ evaluators, or addressing cancer disparities—we’ll only achieve the same results.”

The discussion brought valuable insights into how our evaluation and storytelling practices must evolve to reflect the true diversity of our communities and meet our goals of reducing health disparities.

About the 2024 AEA Conference

The AEA Conference brings together emerging evaluators and established professionals to create a more inclusive and impactful future for the field. This year’s focus was on mentorship and peer-to-peer learning, aiming to elevate fresh perspectives and foster an environment where all voices are valued. We’re proud of the team for contributing to this important dialogue and leading the way in making evaluation practices more inclusive and reflective of the communities they serve.

Learn More

To learn more about the AEA Conference and this year’s inspiring theme, visit American Evaluation Association.

We’re grateful to our CWG team for representing our commitment to diversity, inclusivity and innovation. Their participation underscores our belief in the power of collaboration to create a healthier, more equitable future for all.

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