Closing Plenary Luncheon — Closing the Gap between Theory and Practice
Session description
Many change agents in philanthropy seek to identify and adopt effective learning and evaluation practices that can bring real improvements to our work. But even when we know what needs to be done, closing the gap between theory and practice is an ever-present challenge. Join with peers to synthesize what you’ve learned during the conference and dig deeper into what it will take to implement lasting changes in your work.
Intended learning level
Adoption — strategies and tools for applying concepts and changing practices in your work
Speakers
![[photo]](https://8ca84662c5b8f0cff50d-4baaaf97d63fd7b01243e1b1c57f0cc1.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/43/profile_fd9a5dede4a1d17112f7595d9af085eb.png "Ehren Reed, Innovation Network")
Ehren Reed, Innovation Network
Web site
Speaker Biography
Ehren Reed has more than a decade of experience designing and leading planning and evaluation initiatives with nonprofit organizations and foundations. Reed has worked with a wide range of grantmakers and organizations in the fields of health, human services, public/societal benefit and advocacy, including: The Atlantic Philanthropies, The California Endowment, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, The Colorado Trust and the Ford Foundation. Since 2005, Reed has been a leader in efforts to develop and advance the field of advocacy evaluation. Drawing from his experiences as an evaluator and advisor, he has played a key role in growing this emerging field.
![[photo]](https://8ca84662c5b8f0cff50d-4baaaf97d63fd7b01243e1b1c57f0cc1.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/91/profile_990e6c4188f36666445892ccdbbc098b.png "Johanna Morariu, Innovation Network")
Johanna Morariu, Innovation Network
Web site
Speaker Biography
Johanna Morariu is a senior associate with Innovation Network, an evaluation consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. Morariu directs consulting projects with foundations and nonprofit organizations, specializing in environmental evaluation and influence/advocacy evaluation. Current and past clients include the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Ford Foundation, and The Atlantic Philanthropies. She leads the development of Innovation Network’s research, and most recently published “State of Evaluation 2010: Evaluation Practice and Capacity in the Nonprofit Sector” (2010). She holds a bachelor’s degree in international politics and history from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in comparative politics from George Mason University.
![[photo]](https://8ca84662c5b8f0cff50d-4baaaf97d63fd7b01243e1b1c57f0cc1.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/92/profile_67c78434383b1b327649426dde999d02.png "Beth Bruner, Bruner Foundation")
Beth Bruner, Bruner Foundation
Web site
Speaker Biography
Beth Bruner leads Effectiveness Initiatives for the Bruner Foundation which was established in 1963. As a founding member of the Rochester Effectiveness Partnership, she chaired the initiative since its inception in 1996. Beth also assists the Enterprise Foundation in the Rochester Community Development Collaborative and has commissioned and participated in an in-depth research project on building evaluation capacity for non-profit organizations. She has also served as president of the National Council of Jewish Women-Greater Rochester Section, the Rochester Grantmakers Forum, Jewish Family Services and the Rochester Jewish Community Federation.