Margaret Brackett
I have always asked questions and sought answers, while considering both objective data and individuals’ perceptions. Throughout my career in public organizations at the federal, state, and local level, I have seen the positive impact of using data and analysis to increase effectiveness. As a result, I am a strong advocate for objective understanding of the current reality as a foundational part of strategy development.
At Greenway Strategy
I coordinate data collection and analysis, conduct stakeholder engagement, and serve as a coach to teams in strategy development. My experience includes facilitating groups and gathering and analyzing qualitative input through surveys, focus groups, forums and interviews. I also lead our work collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing quantitative data from a variety of sources and presenting results to non-technical audiences. My strategy consultation has included national associations, state agencies, local nonprofit organizations, higher education, and K-12 school districts.
Where I’ve created impact
I served as Evaluation and Data Consultant, Strategic Planning Coordinator and Program Evaluation Analyst with Fulton County Schools, where I designed and managed multiple research and program evaluation projects, using qualitative methods like surveys and focus groups, as well as quantitative analyses of educational outcome data
I worked at Georgia State University as a Research Associate for the Georgia Council for School Performance, where I synthesized multiple data points into one of the state’s first school-level report cards
As one of the original staff members for the national Institute for Higher Education Policy, I analyzed national datasets on college access and student indebtedness and authored numerous publications on the impact of federal and state student aid programs at graduate, undergraduate and community college institutions
Experiences that inspire me
I am an active volunteer for my alma mater Duke University, serving on multiple committees and boards, both locally and on campus. I also dedicate my time supporting Haygood Memorial United Methodist Church, Intown Collaborative Ministries, Georgia Appleseed, and local women’s organizations, including Impact100 Atlanta. Recently, I served as the chair of the board of directors for Haygood Weekday Children’s Ministries—a full-day, half-day, and afterschool program.
Education
Masters of Public Policy, with a concentration in Quantitative Analysis and Education Policy, University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy
B.A. in Public Policy Studies, Duke University
Fellow with the Harvard Strategic Data Project