Andrea Anderson served as the Foundation’s Director of Evaluation, Learning, and Impact from 2018 through 2021. She led the design and implementation of evaluation, performance monitoring, and learning plan for the Foundation and supported many of our community partners.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Andrea spent 25 years conducting program evaluation, policy analysis, and applied research for nongovernmental organizations, foundations, and civic leadership groups. Additionally, Andrea is an expert practitioner of the Theory of Change Approach to planning and evaluation in the US and abroad. In her previous experience, she developed curricula and training materials that have built the capacity of civic and non-profit leaders to apply a structural racism lens to work designed to reduce racial disparities in health, education, employment and asset development.

Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance as well as a Master’s Degree in Family and Community Planning from the University of Maryland at College Park, and a Doctorate degree in Evaluation and Planning from Cornell University. Prior to joining the Foundation, Andrea was the president of North Star Planning and Evaluation Consultants. She has also held research positions at Abt Associates, The Aspen Institute Roundtable on Community Change, and The Pratt Center for Community Development.

A native of Baltimore Andrea is an avid football fan. During the off-season she loves spending her time at farmers markets, art exhibits, bookstores, or in relentless pursuit of the perfect beach sunset photo.

Areas of expertise:
using data and evaluation to inform education, social service, and economic empowerment initiatives supported by philanthropy.

Areas of expertise:
Few things bring me greater joy than “kicking the tires” on a logic model or evaluation plan to make it as strong as possible.

Some of my favorite things:
Novels by African women, cooking, Baltimore Ravens football, the ocean, and dancing.

How I reenergize:
Long walks along the Detroit River.