In this episode, Melissa McGuire and Liz Martin of Cathexis Consulting reflect on their journey as a certified B Corporation. Cathexis, an independent evaluation firm based in Canada, has been B Corp certified since 2019. This episode describes what it means to be a B Corporation and why the certification matters. Melissa and Liz share insights from Cathexis’s own certification process, including their learnings and the improvements they’ve made in their social and environmental practices. Listeners will hear examples of initiatives Cathexis has implemented, and how being part of the B Corp community has supported their growth. The episode wraps up with practical advice for organizations considering the path to certification. Resources Learn more about Cathexis Consulting here and check out their Reconciliation Action Plan 2022-2024. Learn more about the B Corp Certification here.
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36. Work-Life Integration in Evaluation: A Conversation With Giovanna Montagner
This episode features Giovanna Montagner, an evaluator and Integrated Life Advocate with Third Path Institute. Giovanna shares her insights on work-life integration, contrasting it with the commonly discussed work-life balance. She explains work-life integration as an ongoing process to align work, family, community, and self-care according to personal priorities. Giovanna recounts her personal journey towards better work-life integration, including her shift from a demanding job to a lifestyle more aligned with her values through flexible work arrangements. She also discusses the challenges and strategies for setting boundaries, especially for women, and emphasizes the role of organizations in fostering a culture that supports sustainable work practices. Practical strategies for evaluators and employers to improve work-life integration are discussed, along with the potential benefits for both personal well-being and professional effectiveness. Resources Learn more about Third Path Institute on their website, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
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35. Becoming a Credentialed Evaluator: Would I Do It Over?
In this episode, Maria reflects on her experience of becoming a Credentialed Evaluator through the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) and explores the evolving professionalization of the evaluation field. She examines both the support and skepticism surrounding the credentialing process, presenting key arguments for and against the program. Drawing from her own journey, Maria offers thoughtful insights into the tangible and intangible benefits of earning this designation. She also provides considertions for anyone considering this path, encouraging a careful assessment of the long-term commitment and financial investment involved. Resources: Maria used a few resources to prepare this episode including this paper and this paper. She strongly advices anyone interested in accurate information about the Credentialed Evaluation Program to visit the Canadian Evaluation Society website. The evaluation competency framework used for the Credentialed Evaluation Program can be found here. Still trying to decide whether you should become a Credentialed Evaluator? Access Maria's decision aid tool on her website.
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34. Growing Your Career with Evaluation Competencies
In this episode, Maria explores how evaluation competencies can help you grow into a stronger evaluator. She breaks down what evaluation competencies are and offers practical advice on selecting a framework to guide your career development. Maria also discusses how these competencies can ease the sense of overwhelm that often comes with building an evaluation career, allowing you to focus your efforts and seek guidance more effectively. Drawing from her own experiences, Maria shares examples of the competencies she has worked on at various stages of her journey. Resources Learn more about evaluation competencies here. Learn about evaluation competency frameworks here. Complete the exercise "Finding a competency framework that suits you" if you are struggling to select a competency framework. Finally, check out Maria's favourite cookies recipe here.
This episode series features inspiring women who are transforming the way evaluation businesses work by creating workplaces that are people-centered. In this episode, Nina Sabarre, founder and CEO of Intention 2 Impact (I2I), discusses the values-driven approach of her social impact consulting firm. Nina reflects on her past experiences with leadership and the importance of creating a supportive, inclusive workplace culture. She emphasizes the significance of embedding transparency and care into recruitment processes and how she has benefitted from being part of community of evaluation firm owners. Nina shares her progress on learning how companies can support employees amid climate emergencies and offers advice for job seekers to actively question and assess potential employers' values and practices during interviews. Resources: Learn more about Intention 2 Impact and sign up for their monthly newsletter here.
Welcome to The Evaluation Couch, where we discuss topics related to evaluation and navigating a career in evaluation. In this space, I will share about my evaluation journey, share tips from my career advising and management experience, and invite other evaluators to hear about their perspectives. My goal is to continue promoting the use of evaluation and help evaluators build the careers they deserve.
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