Michael has worked with non-profits on their community-based development initiatives since 2008. He specializes in providing impact, research, and strategy services while utilizing methods including surveys, interviews, focus groups, observation, and unobtrusive measures. Michael assists organizations in collecting data and telling their stories related to impacts, assessing community needs and opportunities, and streamlining program delivery. Since 2014 his work has focused on conducting research and evaluation efforts that explore the needs and assets of specific organizations to accomplish goals and create solutions within their communities. He is especially experienced in issues related to economic development, workforce development, and housing.

Andrea’s training and values lie in the importance of a culturally relevant and participatory approach utilizing a variety of evaluative methods specifically tailored to the client and project. Since 2008 she has engaged in impact measurement and evaluation, community and market research, and strategic consulting. Much of her experience has been with non-profit organizations working on a variety of projects ranging from developing and implementing full evaluation plans, to specific research projects, to community action planning and facilitation. Her work primarily focuses on designing impact and evaluation programs from theories of change and logic models, to data collection instruments, to data management systems to standardized reporting systems. She has designed and facilitated a multitude of focus groups and community meetings centered on gaining feedback to influence development projects.

Mary’s knowledge and skills center on research, data analysis, and reporting. She has six years of experience in data collection, management, analysis, and report writing. Understanding the importance of telling a complete story, Mary prioritizes well-rounded reports tailored to clients’ visions – either traditional or infographic report styles. She has experience building and managing databases for a multitude of projects and clients ranging from arts evaluations to Community Development Financial Institutions impact tracking using software such as Microsoft Excel, Outcome Tracker, FormStack (Certified Partner), and Salesforce (Certified Administrator). Mary’s main focus is organizing and making sense of data and creating reports that thoughtfully explain the impacts measured. 

Julianna is a graphic designer with a background in creative direction, brand development, and market strategy. Before joining Sweet Grass, she designed instructional assets for K–12 educators and administrators and led a cross-functional effort to ensure professional learning materials were accessible to users with disabilities. Drawing on her marketing experience in financial services, she provides a trusted partnership in print and digital design and brings a human-centered approach to every project. Julianna helps clients establish visual identities for their strategic initiatives and services and is passionate about inclusive design. 

Mairi is a writer, researcher, data analyst, and strategist with a background in sustainable economic and community development. She began working with Sweet Grass in 2021 after spending two years working for the food sovereignty initiative of a Native community development organization in South Dakota and brings a participatory, whole systems approach to her work. Drawing from her experience with both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, Mairi synthesizes multiple approaches to data collection and analysis to support holistic storytelling focused on achieving clients’ goals. She is conversationally fluent in German & Spanish and is particularly passionate about issues and projects related to equitable financing, regenerative food systems, and collaborative resource & land management. 

Max is a cultural anthropologist who uses systematic ethnographic research methods to arrive at culturally salient understandings of the ways people relate to themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Along with more than ten years of research experience in an array of settings, Max holds a Ph.D. from the University of Florida, where he received extensive training in research methodologies and design principles. Integrating qualitative and quantitative modes of inquiry, he draws on this toolkit to help communities and organizations address the questions they want answered.

Meredith’s background is in healthcare, psychology, and neuropsychology. She earned a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling which led her into a career in clinical healthcare, healthcare research, and program management/coordination. She has experience collecting and managing research data and databases and working through the entirety of the research project life cycle. Her previous research experience centered around cancer, cognitive impairment, and medical decision making. She has co-authored and been published in peer reviewed journals for cancer related cognitive impairment research. Meredith also assisted in conducting neuropsychological evaluations in both the civil context and forensic cases. She is also a Salesforce Certified Administrator with both front and back-end experience. Meredith joined Sweet Grass in 2023.

Brittany is a highly versatile IT professional with a diverse range of experiences and skills. She holds a B.S. in Psychology, which has equipped her with a deep understanding of human behavior and the ability to communicate with people from all walks of life. Over the years, Brittany has lived in numerous cultures, immersing herself in the local customs and traditions of each place. This has given her a unique perspective on the world and a deep appreciation for diversity and inclusivity. In her professional life, Brittany has worked as a Salesforce Administrator, where she has honed her skills in data management, project coordination, and problem-solving. She is highly detail-oriented and has a proven track record of leveraging Salesforce to improve business processes and ease data collecting and reporting. Overall, Brittany's combination of academic training, cross-cultural experience, and professional expertise makes her a well-rounded and effective partner to any organization.