Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring

An academic turned entrepreneur, Alaina Szlachta, PhD, is
the founder of By Design Development Solutions, a consulting firm specializing
in data enablement. Drawing on her background as a researcher and public health
educator, she partners with learning and operations teams to integrate
measurement and evaluation systems into their daily practices, providing
continuous feedback loops that enhance quality, efficiency, and profitability.

Alaina brings a wealth of experience to her work. Her
diverse client portfolio spans higher education, diversity and inclusion,
finance, victim services, real estate, healthcare, and SaaS. She holds a
bachelor's degree in communication and marketing from Seattle University, as
well as master's and doctorate degrees in education and health education from
Widener University.

Alaina's passion lies in culturally responsive teaching,
demonstrating the value of learning through data enablement, designing
curricula that facilitate behavior change, and championing excellence in
education. She generously shares her expertise through writing, speaking
engagements, and as the host of Measurement Made Easy, a free community of
practice that guides practitioners in refining their impact measurement
strategies.

When not revolutionizing data practices, Alaina can be found
exploring her adopted hometown of Austin, Texas, where she embraces an active
lifestyle, running and kayaking around the scenic Lady Bird Lake.