Welcome! Over the coming weeks, we will feature ResultsLab team members who work collectively to ensure capacity-building and transformation to impact is happening in the social sector.
Today, we’re going to get to know the mastermind behind ResultsLab – the Founder and CEO, Cindy Eby. With over 20 years of experience with implementation of evidence-based practices, evidence building, evaluation and performance management in leadership roles, Cindy has in-depth expertise and has seen over and over again how challenging it is for those in the social sector to utilize data to demonstrate their impact (or even if they deliver the services they think they do).
Knowing that funders want data from nonprofits that they support, and nonprofits need tools and guidance for utilizing data to achieve better outcomes for the populations they serve, Cindy took a leap of faith and created ResultsLab in 2015 in order to do just that.
ResultsLab partners with nonprofit teams to help them build their capacity for using data to and develop the data mindset, skillset, and toolset necessary to be more successful and expand smartly.
Now, let’s hear more from Cindy.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in research and data use?
Long ago, I took a college-level research methods course that required hands-on development of a small study, and I decided to survey women on campus about their experience with sexual violence. The process of deciding what we need to know, capturing that data through powerful stories from women, having that data be highly controversial, seeing what data can tell you and how it can be used and politicized – for positive or negative means – was a profound learning experience for me. I was hooked on how data can be a tool to bring about change.
Q: Describe your job in 3 words.
Solutions-oriented, rewarding, and nimble
Q: What’s building a business been like for you?
Building a business is like riding a bike. Sometimes you are on a flat road, and you think you’re awesome, then you hit a hill, and you know it’s going to be tough, but you know you can do it. Then you hit another really-big-hill and think, “This sucks, I’m not going to make it up,” but you keep going because you know if you stop it will be harder to re-start. You also know that when you make it to the top of that really-big-hill, there will be a flat road, and maybe even a downhill if you are lucky, so you keep pushing. I have great team members who help pull each other up every hill – this makes us far more successful. So, it’s a non-stop push, and you don’t always know what to expect over the next hill, but it’s a thrill. Plus, the reward for the effort is awesome.
Q: What are you currently listening to or reading?
- Hidden Brain – It offers great insights into human behavior.
- Work Life with Adam Grant – Adam provides a thoughtful source of stories on our working life, including things we all deal with and can learn from.
- Scaling Up by Verne Harnish – I’m currently using this book to continue to grow and mature our business. It provides good guidance and guardrails and coupled with my accountability group of other business owners, I’m finding this resource priceless.
Q: Who would you most like to swap places with for the day?
Any kid outside right now who’s playing in the ocean or hanging out in the mountains.
Q: What are your hobbies?
I enjoy biking, photography (check out denverlulu on Instagram), cooking, hiking, reading, and kayaking.
Q: Favorite quote or mantra?
Do it anyway.
Q: What do you appreciate most about the work you do at ResultsLab?
The fact that we have the privilege of working with so many organizations doing good things for the world, and with people who are passionate, compassionate and out to do good. Also, we get to peek behind the curtain of so many organizations that this provides us a unique perspective on the successes and challenges that are occurring in the social sector. I love hearing from and learning from those we work with, then capturing trends and seeing what we can do to address them.
That’s all for now, but stay tuned! We’ll be featuring other ResultsLab teammates throughout the next couple of months and sharing on our social channels. Follow along on Facebook and LinkedIn.