PRINCIPAL AND FOUNDER

For over 10 years, Dara Murray (she/her) has supported mission-driven organizations to examine findings and incorporate insights as part of iterative program planning. Building on her experience as a national trainer, she has helped 200+ teams promote a unified culture of reflection, learning, and data-informed decision-making. Dara is good at summing up results and presenting them in a way that is easy to understand. She works with both internal and external partners to package technical findings so that they can be understood by a wider audience.

An expert in afterschool and summer education programs with a career spanning back to her first job as a Girl Scout Camp Aide, Dara draws on a variety of experiences working with youth-serving programs in her approach. Dara's career was built on the opportunities she got from low-cost and free after-school and summer programs. This makes her especially interested in working with youth-serving programs, schools, and education leaders who work in historically and systemically marginalized and underserved communities with an asset-based and equity-focused approach.

Her colleagues describe her as a convener; motivating, coaching, facilitating, and engaging expertise across divisions and throughout ranks. When she’s not researching or writing, Dara loves to hike around her adopted home of Baltimore, play with her nieces in New Jersey, garden, and plan amazing vacations for family and friends and nourishing retreats for women across the country.

ASSOCIATE OF RESEARCH AND DESIGN

Margaret Gillespie (they/she) is an Associate of Research and Design at Black Walnut Consulting. They are also a graduate candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where they will earn their degree in Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology with a concentration in Identity, Power, and Justice in Education.

Margaret went to Penn State University and got a Bachelor of Science in Education with an emphasis on English education. Before Black Walnut Consulting, Margaret worked in higher education enrollment and taught literature in New Orleans and Harlem. While teaching, Margaret led students through social-emotional learning sessions, designed professional development programming to combat education inequity, and taught LGBTQ+ history to student organizations.

Along with their experience in the classroom, Margaret served as a curriculum writer, mentored K–12 educators, and sat on the founding board of an LGBTQ+ educators’ organization working to create inclusive classrooms for all students. Margaret is passionate about educational equity and creating accessible educational resources and services.

In their free time, Margaret volunteers as a youth mental health counselor, spends time with loved ones, and enjoys creative tasks such as making art and home improvement projects.

ASSOCIATE OF RESEARCH AND EVALUATION

Jenn Tolisano (she/her) is the Associate of Research and Evaluation at Black Walnut Consulting. Jenn holds a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and English from the Lynch School of Education at Boston College. During her master's program, she worked as an assistant and data analyst for an associate professor on a research project about Response to Intervention in Reading in public elementary schools in the Boston suburbs. She taught for almost four years in both the South Bronx in New York and the West Coast of Oahu in Hawaii.

Since becoming a mother in June of 2014, having since added three children to her family, she has volunteered for many positions, including hiking lead and Administrator of Data and Public Relations for Hiking with Keiki, Master Babywearing Educator for Babywearing International, Secretary for Friends of Tripler, Administrator for Dallas Wearing Community, President of the Oakleaf Club of Greater Washington, DC, and Membership Co-Chair in charge of enrollment and data for Kensington Nursery School. In each of these positions, she has sought to make those organizations more equitable, diverse, and inclusive by choosing meeting sites more accessible to public transportation, innovating recruitment efforts, and using accessible and fair language for all. But her main focus since 2014 has been raising empathetic, curious, and empowered children who treat others fairly, stand up for injustices, and question the status quo.

Reading and writing have always been two of Jenn’s biggest passions, and she’s eager to apply them to her work at Black Walnut.

In her freetime, she likes to read or listen to books, visit different playgrounds around the DMV, attend trivia and karaoke nights when she can find a babysitter, hike with her husband, kids, and dog, and try all of the delicious food she can get her hands on (her inbox always welcomes recommendations).

JUNIOR ASSOCIATE OF DATA AND RESEARCH

Melanie (she/her) is a Junior Associate of Data and Research at Black Walnut Consulting.

With 10+ years of experience in the education field, Melanie has led over 8 teams of 20 adults in using data to inform decision-making and drive instructional practices at the classroom, school, and District level.

Melanie is passionate about ensuring equitable practices are at the forefront of her work. She focuses on building and maintaining community, empowering individuals to make systemic/sustainable change, and disrupting systems of power and inequality.

She has worked as a math instructional coach, teacher and student mentor, tutor, and teacher.

Melanie holds degrees in education, psychology, and linguistics from Johns Hopkins University and Emory University. Melanie views data analyses as exciting puzzles, taking the time to sort out the pieces while focusing on both the big picture and the minute details all at once. With great data comes great responsibility, so Melanie approaches all of her analyses with curiosity and integrity, using tools like Excel, Google Sheets, Tableau, and SQL to tell powerful and nuanced stories.

In her free time, Melanie loves international travel, her most recent trip was to Panama with her family. She also runs a photography business based out of Baltimore, MD and is a budding puzzle influencer on social media (it's not a thing yet, but it will be).

JUNIOR ASSOCIATE OF PROPOSAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Savannah Crippen (she/her) is a Junior Associate of Proposal Project Management at Black Walnut Consulting.

She earned her Master's degree in Public Health from George Washington University. During her time in graduate school, she worked in community health outreach with underserved populations. She developed programs and grant proposals to elevate proper nutrition and exercise in rural Hispanic communities. Savannah holds professional certifications in public health, medical humanities, and social and behavioral research. She currently serves as a board member, mentor, and advisor for various organizations that empower her to influence community health and well-being.

Savannah attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a Biological emphasis. As a research assistant, she helped with meta-analytic and ethnographic research. Because of this, the Department of Anthropology gave her the Research Promise Award. Her professional and academic success has been built on her ability to write well and explain complicated ideas.

When Savannah isn't working, she enjoys nature, reading, being active, and spending time with loved ones. As the host of the Majoring in Mentality podcast on Spotify, she advocates for college mental health.

JUNIOR ASSOCIATE MANAGER OF STRATEGY AND IMPACT

Drew E. Mitchell (she/they) is the Junior Associate Manager of Strategy and Impact at Black Walnut Consulting, where she brings her global perspective and project management expertise to research and program evaluation. With a seven-year track record, Drew has driven solutions, innovation, equitable strategies, and team alignment in diverse sectors such as government relations, public affairs, and non-profit organizations.

Drew holds a B.S. in Strategic Communications from Morgan State University and is a skilled project manager and facilitator with four years of experience managing agile teams. Known for her ability to teach complex topics using data analysis, interactive scenarios, and accessible language, Drew brings an intuitive learning approach and creativity to her projects, trainings, and strategies.

Drew's professional journey has taken her around the world, from conducting human trafficking research in Rome, Italy, to on-site program planning in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, to leading program operations in Baltimore. After serving as a congressional aide for Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Drew championed operations and DEIA-B initiatives for Urban Teachers and played a crucial role in crisis response and community development programming for the LGBTQ community at the Pride Center of Maryland. As a Senior Program Associate at Sojourn Strategies, Drew orchestrates the project management for national research, advocacy campaigns, and donor advisory programs. Her cross-functional collaboration and coordination help clients address civic engagement, economic disparities, and race and gender equity. These experiences have shaped Drew's analytical perspective, allowing her to navigate advocacy and effective implementation at local and international levels.

Driven by a passion for life and learning, Drew seeks to create collective awareness and empower individuals and communities. Outside of work, she is a painter, spoken word poet, and avid volunteer who enjoys traveling, engaging in thought-provoking discussions, and cooking with her family.

JUNIOR ASSOCIATE OF LEARNING AND EVALUATION

Olivia Maruca (she/her) is a Junior Associate of Learning and Evaluation at Black Walnut Consulting. Olivia brings over 10 years of experience in the educational sector to Black Walnut, having served as the Director of Academics for a Baltimore-based nonprofit before receiving her Master's degree in Special Education from Johns Hopkins University. She was then a classroom teacher and behavior interventionist for a Baltimore City public elementary school and a Philadelphia public middle school.

Olivia has always had a love for knowledge and people, studying anthropology, sociology, and English literature for her undergraduate degrees at the University of Pittsburgh. Finding ways to improve the lives of others and have fun at the same time has always been Olivia's top priority, and she will bring those priorities along with her positive energy to her work at Black Walnut Consulting.

When Olivia isn't sitting in front of a computer wearing her blue-light glasses, she is bragging about her LASIK, gardening, reading, petting her cat, hanging out with her family, and spending time with her fiance, Sam, who is in constant awe of her 20/20 vision.

JUNIOR ASSOCIATE OF RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

Carolyn Mayfield (she/her) is a Junior Associate of Research and Analysis at Black Walnut Consulting.

Carolyn brings a strong educational foundation to our dynamic team. Throughout her career, Carolyn has demonstrated a commitment to improving educational practices and outcomes for student and teacher performance. Her 10+ years in the educational field have been marked by a passion for fostering learning, driving data-informed decision-making, and creating positive impacts for students, teachers, and community members.

With a Master's degree in Educational Studies from Johns Hopkins University and Bachelor degrees in both Government and Anthropology from the College of William & Mary, Carolyn has a well-rounded and interdisciplinary knowledge base that enables her to approach research and analysis with a broad perspective.

Her ability to synthesize complex information and communicate findings effectively makes her an asset to our clients seeking data-informed solutions to improve their organizations. As a Junior Associate, Carolyn is excited to leverage her experience and expertise to support our clients in making informed decisions that drive positive change.

When she isn't working, Carolyn loves reading, hiking, and playing clarinet with a community wind ensemble.

JUNIOR ASSOCIATE OF RESEARCH AND LEARNING

Marie Turner (she/her) is a Junior Associate of Research and Learning at Black Walnut Consulting. Marie brings more than a decade of experience in the educational sector, building on a strong foundation in research, writing, and data analysis.

She went to Bryn Mawr College, where she received her BA in English, and holds a doctorate in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania, with concentrations in Teaching & Learning and Medieval Studies. Marie’s career has encompassed all facets of higher education: prior to Black Walnut, she worked as a researcher and manuscript cataloguer, helping to found a new Digital Manuscripts research initiative, played a crucial role in strategic planning and administration as director of an academic library, and taught literature, writing, and information literacy in Philadelphia, Rochester, NY, and Cambridge, England.

For Marie, her connecting thread has always been a passion for supporting the educational community, whether driving research and the creation of new knowledge or combating inequity through the development of inclusive, accessible, and sustainable resources and services that empower rather than gatekeep. The collaborative, interdisciplinary environments of Marie's years in higher education have profoundly influenced her approach, enabling her to navigate diverse clients and communities, synthesize complex data, and effectively communicate findings to a variety of audiences. She brings this wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her client work at Black Walnut.

When she isn’t reading, writing, or researching, Marie can usually be found in a coffee shop juggling her two young children, a dog-eared novel, and whatever knitting project is on the go at the moment. She also volunteers as the Social Media Coordinator for her son’s nursery school.