Elizabeth Funsch

About Elizabeth Funsch

In the public sector, a spreadsheet is more than just a list of numbers; it is a roadmap for better policy and more transparent government. I am a senior professional who specializes in using data to improve government operations, public health, and organizational strategy.Over the past decade, I have led major performance initiatives, built analytics teams, and provided reports that help leaders make important decisions about budgets and laws. As the Director of ArundelStat, I launched programs to share data with the public and drafted new legislation to make the government more open. My previous work in public health helped me develop the skills to analyze complex information and explain results clearly to many different audiences.I am passionate about leading teams and using evidence to create a smarter, more effective government that serves the public.

Experience

1. Director of Arundelstat

   Anne Arundel County Government

   Oct 2019 — Present · Annapolis, MD, US

   Founding Director of ArundelStat: Built and leads the County’s first performance data and analytics team, overseeing all recruitment, strategic planning, and performance management for a high-impact team.Legislative & Policy Leadership: Authored the OpenData Act and directed its implementation across 30+ government and quasi-government agencies, ensuring long-term compliance and public access to government data.Performance Management Strategy: Developed and integrated performance plans for 30 agencies, shifting the County toward a \"data-informed decision making\" culture through the OpenPerformance initiative.Digital Transformation & Transparency: Launched OpenArundel, the central hub for County data, and overhauled the OpenData portal—increasing available datasets by 41.5%.Data Product Development: Strengthened accountability and transparency by overseeing the development of 16 interactive dashboards and tools (5 public-facing, 11 internal) to drive data-informed decision-making.Data Reporting: Designed presentations, and end-user reports to translate complex data into actionable insights for leadershipExecutive Advisory: Collaborated with the Budget Office on independent reviews of budget requests and produced critical user reports for the County Executive and County Council.

Education

• University of Arizona

  Master of Public Health (MPH)- Epidemiology and MA-Latin American Studies

  2011 — 2014

• University of Pittsburgh

  Kichwa Summer Language Program, Amazon and Andes Field School - Tena, Ecuador, Napo River Valley

  2012 — 2012

• Augusta University

  BA, English/Spanish