Our Team
Andrea Girón Mathern, PhD
Andrea believes that understanding your organization from the inside out is key to taking progressive steps forward and building momentum for the most impactful paradigm shifts. She is skilled in quantitative and qualitative research though is drawn to empowerment-based research practices such as participatory action research, participant-driven data collection, collaborative knowledge production, and integrated knowledge translation. She holds a PhD in Research and Evaluation Methods, and a Master's degree in Nonprofit Management.
Dr. Girón Mathern has served as a PI and Co-PI on research and evaluation funded projects for the Colorado Health Foundation, NASA, The Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the National Science Foundation. She was appointed to the visiting professional scholar program with the Office of Policy and Analysis with the Smithsonian Institution in 2013.
With 10 years in the museum field and a previous decade in public health she can bring her expertise, experience, and vision to your project.
Esmarie Swisher, Community Catalyst
Esmarie as a bilingual expert in community engagement with 15 years of experience collaborating with diverse communities from Central America to the United States. Esmarie is passionate about diversity, inclusion, equity and creating authentic relationships with multicultural groups. Experienced in designing and developing programs aimed at diverse communities. Co-authored a manuscript about designing towards equity submitted to the International Journal of Science Education. She volunteers to facilitate a Leadership Program for Guatemala Próspera and the John C. Maxwell Leadership Foundation. She has a degree in Communications from Universidad Rafael Landívar and she has worked as a community liaison coordinator for the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and as a Community, Diversity and Inclusion Director for Generadores Hidroeléctricos, S.A., a renewable energy company in her native Guatemala. She coaches and mentors young professionals that are working to break barriers of participation in underserved communities.
Robin Brandehoff, PhD
Dr. Robin Brandehoff obtained her doctoral degree in Education and Human Development with an emphasis in Urban Ecologies from CU Denver. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education and (insert job title) of the Latinx Schools and Communities EdD program at CU Denver. In connection to her work as a scholar and researcher, Dr. Brandehoff is a theatre arts practitioner driven to work alongside students and teachers in communities facing conflict and marginalization using critical race theory and performance to investigate, educate, and liberate. Her research examines the oppressions and traumas of marginalized Communities of Color through mentorship, performance, and counter-stories to support and educate Latinx gang-affiliated youth and the educational leaders and mentors that work with them.
Hailing from Hawai'i and California, Dr. Brandehoff is a first-generation high school and college graduate Woman of Color. She has been an educator for over twelve years, working in alternative education as an English, ELD, and Leadership teacher, as well as an afterschool program site and grant coordinator, and school administrator. Dr. Brandehoff has served as the program director for Pathways2Teaching and is a co-load with the Grow Your Own Collective . Finally, Dr. Brandehoff is an acting board member of the international Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed, Inc., an organization that supports individuals and groups whose work challenges oppressive systems by promoting critical thinking and social justice through liberatory theatre and popular education in marginalized communities.
Alia Gant has a strong interest in research, assessment, and evaluation stemming from her academic and professional careers. She has a BA in International Studies (American University), MA in International Studies (University of Iowa) and MA in Information Studies, Academic Librarianship (University of Texas - Austin). Her previous background is in librarianship and international studies working with different education organizations such as universities, museums, and libraries. Currently she is working with Denver Public Schools (DPS) as an Reporting Analyst where she uses her skills to help different communities within the District as well as focus on the needs of students and families in their educational journeys. She is also working as a Research Assistant (previously Evaluation Researcher) in the Community Research & Collaboration team with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and Library and Cultural Services, City of Aurora, as a Substitute Library Aide for different library branches. She hopes to reach more audiences to share her skillset in research and analysis to help folks with their respective information needs.
Sena Dawes, Evaluation Capacity Builder
Sena is a Research Analyst with Feeding America but started her research and evaluation career in museums. Prior to her current position, Sena was the Manager of Institutional Evaluation for the Missouri Historical Society and was the first internal evaluator the Society ever hired. She is well versed at building evaluation departments from the ground up and supporting non-evaluators in seamlessly integrating evaluation into their own work. She holds a Master’s degree in Museology and specialized in Museum Evaluation. She has previously served a board member and Survey Committee Chair for the National Emerging Museum Professionals Network and is currently a member of the Visitor Studies Association’s Annual Meeting Committee. Sena is also an active member of the accessibility advocacy community serving on various boards, committees, and is a trained audio describer. With almost ten years of experience working in a variety of roles and types of museums, Sena will bring a diverse and innovative perspective to your evaluation projects.
Alia Gant, Evaluation & Research Associate
Leticia Salinas Evaluation & Research Associate
Leticia has dedicated her career to increasing access in the arts and education fields to historically marginalized communities. Her work is rooted in community engagement and addressing systematic oppression and inequity. Leticia has worked in museums, schools, and nonprofits in Texas, California, and Colorado and has experience in project management, program development, and helping organizations operationalize strategy. She has also served on the Steering Committee for Colorado Funders for Inclusiveness and Equity and is currently on the board of The Diversity in the Arts (DITA) Internship Program. Leticia holds a BA in Spanish and Art History from Southern Methodist University and an MA in Art Education from the University of Texas at Austin.