Our Team
The Cathexis team offers a mix of experience and skills that can be appropriately combined to meet the needs of the particular project. The senior consultants collectively have over 40 years of program evaluation practice, ably supported by an enthusiastic group of well-qualified, bright young researchers and analysts. The abbreviated bios below provide a quick overview of the backgrounds, skills and experience of our team. All are members of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES).
Martha McGuire, M.S.W., Senior Consultant
With more than 20 years' experience in the field, Martha has been involved in approximately 100 evaluations, and managed over 50. She has worked across a number of sectors, and is known for her expertise with multi-disciplinary and complex projects. Martha recently ventured into the international arena where she led an evaluation project for UNESCO.
Martha is the founder and driving force behind Cathexis. She is an experienced project manager who is recognized for the innovation of her approach to evaluation design and her ability to synthesize detailed data, into reports, that are useful for decision-making.
Martha is a key member of Canada's evaluation community and has made substantial contributions to the profession. She is currently the Canadian Evaluation Society’s President Elect. In 2009, she was recognized by the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) for her contribution to evaluation theory and practice.She has taught professionals about evaluation, performance measurement, and data collection methods as a presenter in the CES Essential Skills Series. She also teaches Effectiveness and Accountability through Evaluation with Ryerson University's Continuing Education Program.
Martha is a member of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) and the American Evaluation Association (AEA).
Rochelle Zorzi, M.Sc., B.Ed., B.A., Senior Consultant
Rochelle has over 13 years' experience in evaluation, and has been working with Cathexis for five years. She has been involved in over 45 applied research and evaluation projects. As an experienced project manager, Rochelle is recognized for the rigour of her approach to evaluation design and the thoroughness with which she approaches her work.
Rochelle is one of Canada's foremost evaluation experts as a result of her lead role with the Canadian Evaluation Society's (CES) efforts to develop a Core Body of Knowledge for evaluation. As a presenter in the CES Essential Skills Series, she has taught professionals about evaluation, performance measurement, and data collection methods such as questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, and observation.
Rochelle is known for her commitment to excellence in all stages of the research process. She is a skilled analyst, whether working with qualitative or quantitative data, and encourages knowledge transfer.
Rochelle is a member of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) and the American Evaluation Association (AEA).
Melissa McGuire, LL.B., Senior Consultant
With over seven years experience in the field of program evaluation and applied social research, Melissa has already made her mark in the evaluation community. She began working for Cathexis Consulting on a full-time basis in 2003 and since that time, has been involved in over 40 different evaluation and review projects. Melissa has developed and delivered workshops to other evaluators and professionals at Canadian Evaluation Society conferences (2004 and 2006) on evaluation and data collection with vulnerable populations.
Melissa is respected among colleagues and clients for her strong project management skills. She is also known for her keen eye for detail and ability to quickly familiarize herself with the intricate details of complex new systems and subject areas.
Melissa's education in law is of great value to the Cathexis team, as it not only provides her with a deft understanding of legislation and its application, as well as policy development and analysis, but it also ensures the team has a knowledgeable resource to consult on matters relating to privacy protection, confidentiality and legal risk as they arise. As a result of her diverse background, Melissa brings incomparable resourcefulness, intellectual flexibility and analytical skill to the work she carries out.
Melissa is a member of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES).
Kate Powadiuk, M.S.W., B.S.W, B.A., Evaluation Consultant
Kate joined Cathexis Consulting in November, 2006, and has over three years experience working in program evaluation and applied research. She has contributed to over twenty-five Cathexis-lead program evaluation and research projects. Kate's education and practical experience in the social work field has provided her with an understanding of social policy, along with strong communication and listening skills. As well, she is known for her ability to work collaboratively with project team members and clients alike.
Kate thrives in our fast paced organization especially when challenged to quickly learn new topic areas, data collection methods or analysis techniques. She is counted on for her ability with data collection methods, such as interviews, surveys, document and literature reviews, focus groups, case studies, and behavioural observation.
Kate is an active member of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES), a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. She is also a Director on a local community organization's Board.
Emily Zbieranowski, BA, MPA, Evaluation Consultant
Emily joined Cathexis Consulting in May 2008. She has a Masters of Public Administration degree from Dalhousie University and an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Canadian political studies and history from Queen’s University. During her studies, Emily completed various internships with both the provincial and federal governments. With these educational and professional experiences, Emily brings valuable knowledge of government structures and policy processes.
Emily is known for her strong research, critical analysis, and writing skills. She is a champion of methodological rigour and takes a systematic approach to all evaluation and research projects. Emily is proficient in both qualitative and quantitative methods, such as literature and document reviews, interviews, and surveys. She is currently interested in case study research design and its use in evaluation.
Emily is a member of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES), the American Evaluation Association, (AEA) and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada.
Sandra Moreau, MPlan, MBA, MA, BA, Evaluation Consultant
Sandra joined Cathexis Consulting in October 2009 after nearly fifteen years of experience in aid-related programs in five different countries. Her most recent work experience is in aid project management, particularly in economic regeneration projects. Sandra is currently working on an evaluation project dealing with a five-year economic development initiative aiming at moving 2,500 women out of poverty across Canada.
During her recent one-year Master's program at the University of Guelph, she studied program evaluation and decided to develop further her skills in this field. She studied research methods, undertook quantitative and qualitative analysis, facilitated focus groups and interviews and developed an evaluation plan for a First Nations program focusing on watershed management. She was also a member of the Guelph University team that won the Canadian Evaluation Society's annual student competition in 2009.
Sandra is a member of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES).
Adina Jacobson, B.A., Evaluation Consultant
Adina joined Cathexis Consulting in October 2008. She has an Honours B.A. in linguistics and philosophy from York University. Adina is experienced in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, including literature reviews, document reviews, surveys, and interviews.
Prior to joining the Cathexis team, Adina was affiliated with the Toronto Community Based Research Network. Her experience working within a community based participatory research model has increased her sensitivity to details of methodology and their rationale. She finds this awareness to be transferable and beneficial to more traditional research models. Adina is committed to adapting innovative research methods in order to make evaluation more participatory and accessible.
Adina is a member of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES).
Élyse McCall-Thomas, B.A. Psych., Evaluation Consultant
Élyse joined Cathexis Consulting in May 2008, upon the completion of her Honours B.A. in Psychology. She is a member of our Ottawa office, and is fluent in both English and French.
Élyse has extensive administrative and research experience, in both official languages, which contributes to her excellent communication skills. She is experienced in literature and document reviews, qualitative and quantitative data analyses as well as in conducting interviews and surveys. Furthermore, as a result of her education and her previous work experiences, Élyse has a strong understanding and sensitivity to many important social issues, with a particular focus on child development and children's issues for both children living at home and those in care. Élyse is currently enrolled as a part time student at the University of Ottawa's Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation where she is acquiring the necessary competencies to conduct high level evaluations.
Élyse is a member of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES).
Paul Bakker, M. A. Sociology, Evaluation Consultant
Paul joined Cathexis Consulting in March 2009 and has a M.A. in Sociology, with a specialization in Program and Policy Evaluation from the University of Western Ontario. Paul has a wide range of evaluation research experience including reviewing literature, creating logic models, creating surveys, collecting both qualitative and quantitative data, reviewing data systems, conducting quantitative data analysis, writing reports, and creating presentations of research findings. Paul is particularly interested in time-series analysis, and has conducted such analyzes on a health and safety initiative and on the use of websites. Paul has conducted research and evaluation as an academic, for non-profit organizations, and for Cathexis Consulting.
Paul is a member of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES).
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