Parsons Consulting is a woman-owned business based in Eugene, Oregon providing a range of applied research and planning services to public and nonprofit clients since 2000. We achieve project objectives nimbly and efficiently by assessing the individual needs of each client and, as needed, tapping into our broad network of professionals to develop a comprehensive and effective team. Our network includes mapping specialists, statisticians, graphic designers, data analysts, and subject-matter experts, including diversity, equity and inclusion professionals.
Our Core Values
- Decision-Relevant Research: We are committed to using both rigorous and pragmatic approaches that result in processes and deliverables that are clear, inclusive, and accessible to broad audiences and actionable for decision-making, implementation, and impact.
- Equity and Inclusion: We are dedicated to using our work to surface inequities, dismantle structural racism, and drive change by honoring and elevating the experience of marginalized peoples and incorporating data equity strategies in our analysis.
- Collaboration: We believe that by assembling teams with relevant expertise for each project, and engaging deeply with key informants and community members, we deliver the highest quality products that have the greatest impact for communities.
Kari Parsons, President
Kari, president of Parsons Consulting, has over 20 years of consulting experience. She is a valued researcher, facilitator, communicator, and project manager. She applies these skills to all her endeavors, including her work in community indicators, strategic planning, performance measurement, and applied research. Kari is committed to elevating equity by building Data Equity Framework practices and culturally responsive community engagement into her research methods. She is familiar with a wide range of policy domains, including early childhood, education, health & human services, transportation, workforce development, sustainability, and more. Kari is a Technology of Participation (ToP) trained facilitator and strategic planner, with experience helping groups large and small reach consensus and find their strategic direction. Kari is a Results Based Accountability certified professional, a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Prosci Change Practitioner. Kari received a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of California, Irvine and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Whitman College.
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Professional Associates
Kendra Lodewick
Kendra, principal of Program and Policy Insight, has over 20 years of experience conducting independent evaluations, policy analysis, and technical assistance in the areas of workforce development, welfare, education, and community development. She employs quantitative and qualitative methodologies to collect and analyze program data and inform program implementation and policy development. Prior to forming Program and Policy Insight, LLC, Kendra worked at nationally recognized evaluation firms, including Abt Associates (Cambridge, MA) and Berkeley Policy Associates (Oakland, CA). Kendra received her Bachelor of Science in Policy Analysis and and Management from Cornell University and a Master of Public Affairs-Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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Kirsten Smith
Kirsten is principal of Bloom Consulting, which supports organizations of all kinds to effectively serve their clients and help all people reach their full potential. She has 15 years of project management, needs assessment, facilitation, and strategic planning experience with local, state, and nonprofit organizations. Kirsten is familiar with the domains of early care and education, K-12 education, out of school time care, child protective services, TANF, Medicaid, and disability policy. She is prized by her clients for her project management and strategic planning capabilities, as well as her extensive experience developing and implementing rigorous research plans and data collection protocols. Kirsten received a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a certified Project Management Professional.
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Limor Zimskind
Limor is principal of Datalink Partners. She has more than 20 years of experience providing strategic insights to a wide range of organizations, with projects that are diverse in their scope and content. Her skill set includes indicators report development, mapping through ArcGIS software, data collection and presentation, program evaluations, policy analysis, project management, and writing. She has content knowledge in an array of policy areas, including early childhood, maternal mental health, transportation, and more. Before launching Datalink Partners, Limor worked for PolicyLink; the UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities; and Child 360. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from University of California-Berkeley and has a master’s degree from UCLA in Public Policy.
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Catherine Roller White
Catherine, principal of Catherine Roller White Consulting, has over 20 years of experience in social science research, primarily in the areas of child welfare, early childhood, education, and homelessness. Catherine is well-versed in all phases of evaluation, including study design, data collection and analysis, and audience-friendly presentations and report writing. Prior to starting her own evaluation consulting business, Catherine conducted research and evaluation at Casey Family Programs (Seattle, WA), Children’s Health Council (Palo Alto, CA), and Stanford University School of Education (Stanford, CA). Catherine earned a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies and a Master’s degree in Education from Stanford University.
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Michael Coe
Michael Coe, principal of Cedar Lake Research Group, has over 20 years of experience in social and educational research, organizational consulting, program and project evaluation, and psychological and educational assessment. He served as Director of Research in the Center for Research, Evaluation, and Assessment at Education Northwest from 2003 to 2010. Before that, as a Senior Statistician in the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, he helped faculty members and students with research design, statistical analysis, and the interpretation and presentation of data. Michael has extensive experience conducting research and evaluation studies for projects funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, various state and local agencies, the Mott Foundation, the Noyce Foundation, the Lazar Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the William T. Grant Foundation. He has served as an expert consultant to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the evaluation of public partnership programs for environmental results.
