Susan Pietrzyk

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT SUSAN PIETRZYK

I am a research, strategy, and program leader with considerable experience designing, leading, and supporting applied research and impact initiatives. Trained as an anthropologist, I bring a systems-oriented and people-centered approach to understanding how evidence and policies are generated, interpreted, and used to shape implementation, real-world processes, decisions, and outcomes. Across my career, I have led multidisciplinary teams, overseen complex donor-funded portfolios, and designed mixed-methods studies that translate into programmatic and policy action. I have managed large budgets, supported matrixed teams, and partnered with donors, governments, and local institutions to ensure research is not only methodologically sound, but operationally relevant and strategically aligned. My work sits at the intersection of research design, implementation science, policy analysis, strategy execution, and organizational learning. I specialize in: Leading applied research and evaluation initiatives, ensuring methodological rigor while keeping findings actionable for program and policy audiences Aligning frameworks and data systems with strategic goals, growth priorities, and accountability requirements Translating complex evidence into policy-relevant insights, recommendations, and decision-support tools Strengthening learning cultures and knowledge management systems that connect research, operations, and leadership decision-making Bridging technical, operational, and executive perspectives to inform strategic planning and resource allocation Supporting change management related to data use, performance improvement, and institutional accountabilityI have a keen interest in how and why change actually happens. I care about understanding human, institutional, and social dynamics, and I am quite good at helping implementation teams step back, interpret what the data really mean, and decide what to do differently. Colleagues often describe me as someone who can sit with complexity, ask the right questions, and help groups move from ambiguity to practical, confident action.Core strengths include: Applied Research, Policy Analysis, and Evaluation Leadership Program Design, Strategic Execution, and Adaptive Management Matrixed Team, Portfolio, and Operations Management Organizational Learning and Knowledge Systems Data-Driven Strategy and Performance Improvement Executive Communication and Insight Translation