Our approach to research Research is the foundation of our grantmaking strategy and provides the framework for our evaluation and learning processes. Our research helps ensure that the Foundation’s investments are rooted in a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by the individuals, organizations, and communities we serve. By identifying key areas of […]

Verenice Chavoya-Perez is a senior evaluation and learning officer in Research, Learning, and Evaluation for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where she operationalizes evaluation and learning-related initiatives. Prior to joining the Kauffman Foundation, Chavoya-Perez was a senior associate and staff development manager with Social Policy Research Associates where her work centered on evaluations of policy […]

Funds seek to advance the growth of organizations driving college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship.

This year’s conference will take place on Friday and Saturday, November 8-9, 2024, at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center. Trip to Brown v. Board Museum Seventy years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education changed the trajectory of public education and sparked the end of segregated schools. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the […]

Richard Kim is a senior director of entrepreneurship in Impact for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where he serves as the key programmatic, operations, and administrative director for the Entrepreneurship and Business Ownership strategy. Kim is responsible for implementing the strategic plan and translating the strategy into actionable talent and operational practices, frameworks, resources, and […]

Katy Hamilton is a senior director of workforce and career development in Impact for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where she serves as the key programmatic, operations, and administrative director for the Workforce and Career Development strategy. Hamilton is responsible for implementing the strategic plan and translating the strategy into actionable talent and operational practices, […]

Andrea Ellis is a senior director, strategic initiatives in Impact for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where she orchestrates and coordinates high-level operational, financial, planning, and strategic areas of the Impact and Strategy team, acting as an integration manager for internal and external program-related activity. Prior to joining the Foundation, Ellis was principal creative strategist, […]

Suzanne Stluka, Ph.D., is a director of evaluation in Research, Learning, and Evaluation for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where she provides leadership for all evaluation-related initiatives and facilitation of grantmaking program evaluation to inform program assessment. Prior to joining the Foundation, Dr. Stluka was the deputy director for the Institute of Food Safety and […]

Joshua Akers, Ph.D., is a director in Research, Learning, and Evaluation for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where he provides leadership for developing and improving operations for all research-related initiatives to facilitate research and knowledge generation. Dr. Akers will place special emphasis on actionable and practical research that can inform policy and programmatic strategies for […]

Appointed across the Impact and Research, Learning, and Evaluation teams, new directors will drive progress toward the Foundation’s 2035 vision.