About
Parsons Consulting is an Oregon certified 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 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 and organizations.
Kari Parsons
President
Kari, president of Parsons Consulting, has over 25 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.
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.
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.
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.
Emily Plagman-Frank
Emily is Principal of Lindenstar Consulting, LLC, and an expert researcher and analyst, with nearly 20 years of experience driving large-scale project transformation, strategic planning activities, and organizational change across public and non-profit industries. Emily is recognized for her ability to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver measurable outcomes. She brings her wealth of professional experience to every project, including her work as the Strategic Evaluation & Research Officer at the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and serving in research and management roles with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Public Library Association, and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. She is known for making complex data and research accessible and actionable for her clients. Emily holds a Master’s in International Public Affairs from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Bachelor’s in Global Politics/Economics from Marquette University.
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.
Patricia Day
Patricia Day, principal of Day One Strategies, is a strategic consultant with over 15 years of experience designing and leading cross-sector initiatives that strengthen workforce systems, expand community engagement, and align operational strategy with long-term impact. She offers public agencies, philanthropy, nonprofits, and mission-driven businesses her skills in inclusive and collaborative planning and implementation. Her expertise includes qualitative research, stakeholder facilitation, strategic planning, program design and evaluation, and systems alignment. Patricia helps clients translate vision into practical, measurable strategies that advance equity and shared goals. Prior to starting Day One Strategies, Patricia managed leadership engagement for the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and directed community engagement at Health Union. She has a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from Temple University (where she also taught as adjunct faculty) and a Bachelor’s in English from SUNY Oneonta. She has also completed professional training in Strategic Organizational Leadership.
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.
Mark Mendoza
Mark is an experienced and talented marketing and communications graphic designer, providing end-to-end design services for private companies, state and county agencies, and nonprofit organizations for over 30 years. He has partnered with Parsons Consulting on many reports, including the Teton County/Town of Jackson Human Services Plan and the Montana Child Care Business Connect Evaluation Report, to name a few. Prior to starting AdGlyd Design in 1995, Mark served as the Art Director for Reiches-Baird and a designer for Ad West Company. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Illustration from California State University, Fullerton.