Elizabeth Mugo (she/her) joined The Skillman Foundation as a Data Storyteller Fellow in August 2026. In her role, she translates research and data analysis into compelling visualizations and narratives to help shape understanding, inform action, and support social change.

Born in Kenya and raised in the United States, education played a key role in Elizabeth’s understanding of the United States, and educators—including her parents—helped her unlock opportunities beyond her wildest imagination. Prior to joining The Skillman Foundation, Elizabeth worked in social policy research as a research associate and analyst at Mathematica in D.C., where she led and supported research projects across a range of topics from economic mobility to education to child welfare. In these roles, she also developed her passion for place-based and community-driven approaches to policy change which she brings to her work at the Foundation.

Elizabeth has a bachelor of arts in sociology and anthropology from Washington and Lee University and a master of public policy from the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

Areas of expertise:
Research, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and data sense making and visualization

How I can help partners:
Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data into meaningful insights. Translating data and community voice into visualizations and stories that help inform decisions and advance collective action.

A quote that describes my outlook:
“You have to act as if it is possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” — Angela Davis

Some of my favorite things:
The public library, a lil sweet treat, and taking a nap in the sun

Favorite books:
Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, Anxious People by Frederik Backman, and almost any audiobook read by Julia Whelan or Marin Ireland

How I reenergize:
Spending time with my cats, analyzing reality TV, and trying different crafts (block printing, knitting, pottery, etc.)