We’re hiring a data and performance analyst to work with Meghan! Learn more and apply.
What Is Your Role At CSF?
My title is Data and Performance Analyst. Currently, my work at CSF involves creating and maintaining CSF’s internal data, conducting analyses and producing reports on CSF’s operations and service delivery, and developing and executing CSF’s long-range strategic plan – what we call our “impact framework.”
When did you join the CSF team?
I joined CSF staff in 2018.
Describe your professional background.
My work has always involved interventions or efforts to improve our public institutions and enhance the functionality or effectiveness of our social systems. My experience lies heavily in social policy at a local and regional level – especially education policy, health care, and juvenile justice. From the St. Louis Regional Health Commission and Saint Louis University, to the St. Louis Children’s Service Fund, you can sense a trend in the places of employment where I’ve chosen to work. I’m dedicated to St. Louis and as was famously quoted, “my heart is in the work”.
What drew you to work for CSF?
My passion for improving quality of life for the St. Louis community through building stronger, more effective social systems has guided my professional path leading me to St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund.
What prepared you to work at CSF?
My background and formal education cultivated a curiosity for scientific, data- driven inquiry, complemented by a human-centered approach to service from the Jesuit mission. Additionally, I have had the privilege to work at incredible organizations and learn from compassionate, value-driven leaders. The learning that’s been passed down to me and the skills I’ve developed enable me to see the dots on the map and translate the vision to actionable strategies, while continuously striving for the improved outcomes we are all working towards.
Describe your position at CSF.
Typical work includes an hour or so of email communication, maintaining our data and online apps such as our Find a Service Tool, meetings with colleagues or funded partners, attending collaborative work with others in the community, drafting internal policies or procedures, running reports and cleaning data for analysis. Some of the fun stuff I get to be a part of at CSF is leading bigger projects like the community needs assessment and implementing innovative practices or tools like Candid, a repository of data and information about nonprofit organizations to streamline grantmaking activities, in order to make our operations more efficient.
What keeps you passionate about your work?
I believe deeply in “good government”, in high quality and effective public administration, and smart public policy. With these tools, I believe we can create the healthier communities that St. Louis County constituents voted for when approving the formation of the children’s service fund. Delivering on the possibilities and the pursuit of this vision is what keeps me motivated.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Though I would not consider myself artistic, there is an element of creativity in translating the analytical part of my work into practical strategies and solutions. I love that side of the job.
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
The cyclical nature of how CSF operates never lets you rest too long. We are now investing in over 150 different programs through contracts with over 100 partner organizations. Every single partnership CSF engages requires individual review and support, and the CSF staff is really investing in relationship-based work. Our major funding opportunities require six to twelve months of planning before we even open the application process to the public. Frequently, we are simultaneously in deep planning mode while implementing a major funding opportunity. Plugging in our major initiatives to innovate and enhance our operations happens throughout this timeline. So for me, keeping myself in check with how I relate to time is a challenge that never ends.
What is a project at CSF that you’re most proud of?
Over the last year I have been heavily involved in crafting CSF’s impact framework which is really the blueprint for CSF’s long-term vision. I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity from our executive team to take this work on, and I am proud of how it has all come together. The impact framework is the compilation of years of ideas, input, and curiosity from CSF’s staff, board, and stakeholders, but it is really just the beginning. We have several major initiatives that I am excited to be leading over the next several years, and I’m really looking forward to working with my colleagues and the St. Louis community to bring this plan to life.
What’s your favorite lunch spot?
CSF’s office is near the Delmar Loop so we have an abundance of great lunch options. My favorite is Corner 17.
What do you like to do outside of work?
My hobbies include reading, playing soccer, and coaching my niece’s soccer team. I enjoy spending time with my family including my husband Kyle, my dog Sam, parents, siblings Francesca, Gary, Michael, Anna, Laura, Veer, Danny, and Mary Claire, and nieces and nephew Penelope, Hannah, and Lucas.
To learn more about her professional background, visit Meghan’s bio on our website.