The Evaluation Couch

In this episode of the "One Year On" series, Maria speaks with Karen Jackson, the 2025 President of the American Evaluation Association (AEA), about navigating one of the most disruptive years in the field of evaluation. Karen reflects on leading AEA through multiple crises while balancing roles as university faculty and consultant. She discusses the October 2025 "Morning After Coalition" call to action, emphasizing the need for evaluators to collectively respond rather than "adapt quietly" to threats against evidence-based practice. Karen highlights key lessons from her presidency, including the importance of curiosity, community-engaged leadership, relationship building, and recognizing evaluators' power to shape how the world values evidence. She also stresses that professional associations like AEA are member-led ecosystems requiring active participation from the entire evaluation community.

Resources:

Read Karen's call to action here.

www.mariamontenegro.ca | www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

Adding "learning" to a job title doesn't mean learning is actually happening. In this episode, Florence Randari breaks down what it really takes to operationalize the "L" in MEL. Florence explains why MEL systems often fail to support learning even when rebranded as "MEL," and what needs to change. Florence discusses the difference between evaluation questions and learning questions, the competencies needed to facilitate learning, and provides practical tools and processes for embedding learning in your work.

Resources:

Follow Florence Randari to learn more about integrating Learning in MEL.

Susbcribe to the Learn Adapt Manage (LAN) Network here.

Read some of the articles discussed in this episode:

Designing for Decisions: How to Build Learning Systems That Actually Lead to Action | LinkedIn

Small Shifts That Made My Learning Workshops Actually Work | LinkedIn

What makes a Pause and Reflect Meeting Different?.....The Agenda | LinkedIn

Check out the BetterEvaluation Career in Evaluation page.

www.mariamontenegro.ca | www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In this episode, Maria shares how she fast-tracked her evaluation career in under four years without needing the typical 8-10 years of experience. She breaks down the "career growth fallacy" that holds many evaluators back and discusses six key strategies that accelerated her journey. This episode offers practical insights on how to create meaningful growth without waiting for arbitrary experience milestones. Register for the Own Your Edge Masterclass happening on January 20, 2026 here.

Resources

Listen to Maria's episode on Planned Happenstance here.

Check out the BetterEvaluation Building a Career in Evaluation page here.

Do you ever wonder if your personality is "right" for leadership in evaluation? In this episode, Maria challenges the myth that only certain personality types belong in leadership roles by exploring what research says about personality and leadership, why extroverts are overrepresented in leadership positions, and how introverts can be just as effective depending on the team context. Using the D.O.P.E. framework—Dove, Owl, Peacock, and Eagle—she breaks down four personality types and how they show up in evaluation work, discussing their natural strengths, potential challenges, and specific skills they can develop to become more effective leaders. This episode will help you understand how to work with your natural personality while building the skills you need to thrive in leadership.

Register for the Own Your Edge Masterclass happening on January 20, 2026 here.

Resources

Take the Test - D.O.P.E. Personality

D.O.P.E. Personality - Home

D.O.P.E visual

www.mariamontenegro.ca | www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In this episode, Maria interviews Slavica Stevanovic from Qatalyst Research Group, about the integration of artificial intelligence in evaluation consulting. Slavica shares how Qatalyst's early investment into technology allowed it to adopt artificial intelligence to streamline processes and deliver client solutions. The discussion covers the implications of artificial intelligence on evaluation consulting, the importance of human judgment and critical thinking, and practical strategies for professionals to stay relevant and adaptable in a rapidly changing field.

Resources

Check out Qatalyst's reports dicussed in this episode:

• Beyond the Hype: The Threat AI Poses for Consulting Firms
• A Survival Guide for Consulting Firms: Responding to the Threat Posed by AI

Download your free workbook to become a confident evaluator who attracts top opportunities in 4 steps here.

www.mariamontenegro.ca | www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In this episode, evaluator Cecilia Eva Beloqui shares her inspiring journey of building visibility and community through daily posting on LinkedIn. She reflects on the discipline and consistency it took to commit to sharing resources every day for a year, the challenges of creating meaningful content, and the powerful connections and collaborations that emerged as a result. Cecilia discusses how curating and amplifying others' work has strengthened her own evaluation practice, helped her communicate more effectively, and opened doors to new opportunities. Her story highlights the value of visibility, generosity, and authentic engagement in shaping both careers and the broader evaluation field.

To learn more about Cecilia, follow her on LinkedIn.

Download your free workbook to become a confident evaluator who attracts top opportunities in 4 steps here.

www.mariamontenegro.ca | www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In this episode, Mishkah Teladia shares her journey into a portfolio career, discussing her transition from a long-standing role in international development to exploring diverse opportunities that align with her purpose. She emphasizes the importance of self-discovery, the value of relational intelligence, and the need for flexibility in today's evolving work landscape. Mishkah also reflects on the emotional challenges of navigating career transitions and the joy that comes from integrating work and life.

Download your free workbook to become a confident evaluator who attracts top opportunities in 4 steps here.

www.mariamontenegro.ca | www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In this episode, Maria Montenegro is joined by Kelsi Kriitmaa to explore the concept of portfolio careers. They discuss the evolving landscape of work, particularly in the social impact sector, and how portfolio careers can offer flexibility and diverse opportunities. Kelsi shares her personal journey from a traditional career path that started in evaluation to embracing multiple roles, including coaching, consulting, and community building. The episode covers the challenges and benefits of portfolio careers, offering insights for those considering this path in a rapidly changing job market. Resources

Learn more about Kelsi's work and her group coaching program for consulting here.

Learn more about Kelsi's coach Amanda Goetz here.

Download your free workbook to become a confident evaluator who attracts top opportunities in 4 steps here.

www.mariamontenegro.ca | www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

Live from Eval25 in Kansas City, Maria sits down with Denise Baer, Nathan Varnell, and Nina Sabarre for a dynamic conversation on the future of evaluation. Together, they explore why advocating for evaluation has never been more critical in the face of recent disruptions to the field.

The guests reflect on what makes these challenges unique, highlight opportunities to strengthen the case for evaluation, and share practical strategies for communicating its value across diverse spaces. Along the way, they discuss how we can support one another as a community and ensure evaluation continues to thrive in times of disruption.

Download your free workbook to become a confident evaluator who attracts top opportunities in 4 steps here.

www.mariamontenegro.ca | www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In this conversation, Mahesh Krishnan Ramesh shares his journey of pursuing a career in public policy and evaluation. He discusses the cultural challenges of becoming an evaluator in India, the innovative approaches he has taken in his career, and the significance of mentorship and networking. He concludes with valuable advice for emerging evaluators on advocating for evaluation in various sectors. Resources

Mahesh4World - YouTube

Learn more about Mahesh's FIME awards project here.

Download your free workbook to become a confident evaluator who attracts top opportunities in 4 steps here.

www.mariamontenegro.ca | www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro