Suggestions
Kathleen Agaton
Assistant Vice President at Women In Need, Inc. (Win)
Professional Background
Kathleen Agaton is a dedicated professional in the field of social impact measurement and strategic learning, known for her deep commitment to creating a more sustainable world through comprehensive stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration. Her extensive experience primarily revolves around the vital intersection of research, evaluation, and gender equity, which guides her approach to developing initiatives that are both impactful and community-focused.
Currently, Kathleen serves as the Assistant Vice President for Research, Evaluation, and Strategic Learning at Women In Need, Inc. (Win), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women facing homelessness. In this role, she leverages her expertise to promote data-driven decision-making and innovative approaches to social challenges. Kathleen has significantly shaped and influenced the organization's strategic initiatives, emphasizing the importance of meaningful engagement with stakeholders to harness community insights and foster sustainable solutions.
Before her current position, Kathleen held the role of Director of Research, Evaluation, and Strategic Learning at Win, where she advanced practices in evaluation that aligned with the organization's goals of serving women and families effectively. Her commitment to fostering environments where community-authored solutions are prioritized demonstrates her belief that profit must have purpose, and that genuine community involvement leads to better outcomes.
Throughout her career, Kathleen has been known for her inspiring approach to the design process, often utilizing divergent thinking to expand the possibilities for sustainable solutions in social programming. Her work is underpinned by her strong belief in the necessity of gender equity in all aspects of social policy and programming.
Education and Achievements
Kathleen's educational background is impressive, underlining her commitment to public health and biology. She holds a Master of Science (MS) in Public Health from the prestigious Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she acquired the analytical skills and foundational knowledge necessary for evaluating public health initiatives critically. This education has equipped her with the analytical capabilities to tackle complex health issues and create evidence-based solutions that can be implemented in diverse settings.
Her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, culminated in a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Integrative Biology, complemented by a minor in Music. This unique combination of biological sciences and the arts reflects her comprehensive view of the world and her ability to integrate various disciplines to enhance her work in social impact.
Kathleen's professional journey also includes a significant tenure at Metis Associates, where she worked as both a Senior Research Associate and a Research Associate. In these roles, she developed a robust foundation in evaluation methodologies and research practices, which have been instrumental in shaping her current work in strategic learning and measurement.
Achievements
Kathleen Agaton's career has been marked by a plethora of notable achievements that reflect her expertise and commitment to public health and social equity. Her strategic involvement in evaluation processes within Women In Need, Inc. has led to the successful implementation of programs that align with community needs and foster resilience among women experiencing homelessness. Her leadership has ensured that data is not just collected, but actively used to inform and adapt organizational strategies.
Her contributions to research and evaluation in the non-profit sector have not gone unnoticed. Kathleen has played a pivotal role in crafting frameworks that support organizations in understanding their social impact better and improving their programmatic approaches. Through her facilitative leadership style, she has fostered environments where cross-functional teams can collaborate effectively to innovate and find impactful solutions.
Kathleen's work reflects a profound understanding of the complexities inherent in social issues, particularly through a lens of gender equity and community engagement. Her belief in purposeful profit and community-authored solutions positions her as a forward-thinking leader in her field. With a career steeped in research, evaluation, and transformative learning, Kathleen Agaton is undeniably an asset to the landscape of social impact and public health advocacy.
