Susan Zief is a research and evaluation leader who has spent over 20 years designing and directing mixed-methods evaluations of grant-funded, multi-component education and human services initiatives with a particular focus on school persistence and completion, workforce development, positive youth development, behavioral change, and program implementation quality. Most recently, she was with Mathematica leading evaluations for the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education. She is passionate about collaborating closely with funders, grantees, and program staff to ensure evidence on program effectiveness is of high quality and will be used to guide decision making. Her strong commitment to this work stems from nearly a decade of teaching in both New York and Philadelphia. Susan has degrees from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and the University of Pennsylvania.
Susan recently moved to the Kansas City area with her husband, two bloodhounds, and two cats. She enthusiastically supports one son’s budding culinary career and the other’s javelin competitions. She particularly enjoys long bike rides and hikes with her husband.
Susan has authored dozens of reports, briefs, journal articles, and technical assistance documents sharing evaluation results and training grantees to conduct their own high-quality research. She has presented at numerous national conferences sponsored by federal agencies and professional research organizations and has briefed Congress on the evidence supporting specific legislated grant programs.
“I believe that a thriving rural community is one where people have both the opportunity and the support to build meaningful lives across generations. To me, thriving means that residents—especially young people—can see a future in their community: strong schools, access to health care, meaningful work, and pathways to careers. A thriving rural community recognizes their own strengths and is where people feel connected, valued, and optimistic about their community’s future.”
