Sarah Williams Leng Consulting, LLC

02/19/2026

Yesterday I walked a Program Director and their team through transforming their manual, static report into a live dashboard that updates automatically as new data comes in.

We mapped how survey data from multiple sources can flow into a single Excel-based model (their tool of choice) to power a dashboard that refreshes in seconds. We also discussed how to tailor insights for different interest groups and which visuals best support the takeaways.

This shift doesn’t just save time and reduce errors. It changes how the team uses their data. When information updates automatically, the conversation can more quickly move from “what happened?” to “what should we do next?”

This is one of my favorite transformations: helping teams spend less effort assembling data and more time interpreting it to make decisions.

02/18/2026

In my work, is embedded in implementation—providing real-time feedback, surfacing context, and supporting adaptation as and unfold.

I work beside teams to understand how programs are actually operating, how they are experienced across stakeholders, and what adjustments will strengthen .

Evaluation is often imagined as measurement or reporting. But at its best it is partnership. An evaluator beside you helps you see your program clearly as it unfolds, understand how it is experienc…

11/06/2025

I’m excited to share that I’ll be attending the American Evaluation Association (AEA) annual conference next week!

This year's conference theme is " Engaging Community, Sharing Leadership." I’m looking forward to connecting with others who are exploring how evaluation can elevate shared leadership, participatory approaches, and equity-centered practice.

If you’ll be there too, I’d love to connect. Please reach out or stop me to say hello!

11/06/2025

Thanks to a current consulting client who shared this meme with me — what a perfect analogy for program data collection and analysis!

It’s funny because it’s true — and it’s also a great reminder: A solid data analysis strategy should start before you ever collect a single data point.

🍭 Prioritize your preferences.
Just like choosing chocolate over gummies (who doesn’t?!), knowing what you need from your data helps you focus your collection.

If your goal is to understand group differences in program effectiveness, you’ll need to collect both solid outcome data and key demographic details.
Knowing your end goal clarifies what to gather.

🍬 Plan your route.
Before heading out trick-or-treating, you map out the best houses (the ones with the full-size candy bars!). The same goes for data: establishing a clear analysis plan helps you identify valuable, relevant sources and avoid collecting “junk” data that won’t serve your goals.

This was totally me every Halloween night. I guess I was destined for evaluation work. 😄

06/09/2025

Not every nonprofit needs Salesforce—and that’s okay.

The best data system isn’t the fanciest one. It’s the one that matches your capacity, complexity, and learning goals.

In this post, I break down what to consider when selecting a data management system that supports your learning, reporting, and storytelling goals.

A common challenge I see when working with nonprofits and community-based organizations is selecting a data management system. It needs to truly support the needs of the organization- and not overwhelm staff or budgets. A well-chosen system can not only streamline your data collection and reporting,...

09/12/2024

Set up an organizational learning and improvement system that continuously gathers insights to refine strategies and makes sure you’re creating the greatest impact for your community.

✅ Collect data to understand what’s working, what’s not, and how to adapt.
✅ Enable data-informed decision-making and promote organizational growth and success.
✅ Involve the community so you're responding to needs and strengths.
✅ Drive positive change in your community

Schedule time with me to discuss your goals and how I can support them: https://lnkd.in/eNAYTQig

09/04/2024

❓ Do you work with data at a nonprofit?

❓Do you want to enhance the quality of your data and leverage it to communicate your impact?

✅ Bring your specific questions and join three data and communication professionals for a 45-minute interactive workshop! Sylvia Pu, Ph.D. Michelle Shen

07/18/2024

Happy to share that my client, a community-focused initiative, has been awarded funding to bring their vision of a residential community garden and further beautification planning efforts to life! 🎉

I had the privilege of facilitating focus groups with residents and compiling the summary for their assessment and planning phase. This summary was incorporated into a grant application for funding to implement the community-informed project. The initiative was awarded funding!

Let the planting begin and the community building continue! 👩‍🌾 🍅 🥕

06/26/2024

I'm excited to be in DC for the next couple of days, continuing my learning journey at the . Looking forward to expanding my knowledge and connecting with fellow professionals!

Let me know if you're attending so we can catch up in person!

06/25/2024

I partner with mission-driven organizations and collectives to enhance their evaluation and learning strategy, and build insightful data collection and reporting systems.

Did you know I’m also a great sounding board for program leaders and staff? I support the learning process by ensuring dedicated time and refocusing energy to reflect and discuss the bigger picture (goals and strategy) when we inevitably get “stuck in the weeds” of programming and activities.

Curious to learn more? Schedule a time with me here: https://lnkd.in/gnYb5HEF

06/21/2024

I'm proud to be on an evaluation team supporting the Pennsylvania Safer Communities project, managed by Millersville University and funded by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act through a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) block grant awarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. This grant aims to enhance the sustainability of nonprofits providing community violence intervention (CVI) programs in rural areas by expanding Medicaid reimbursement criteria to include peer-to-peer mental health support services.

Our trauma-informed, participatory evaluation will document the impacts of these services, using Collaborative Outcomes Reporting (COR) and Contribution Analysis (CA). The evaluation is co-led by Kelly Feltault, PhD and Tasha Parker, Ph.D., LSCSW, MPA with Scot Seitz, PhD handling data management and analysis. I'll support the evaluation and conduct the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) capacity assessment to identify the existing capacity and additional resources needed for organizations to collect, analyze and report their services and outcomes data to Medicaid.