#  Who We Are 

 



##  Who We Are 

The Strategic Data Project is a diverse, passionate community of education leaders, data strategists, and faculty committed to using data to help all students succeed. Together, we are driving data-informed change in almost 300 education systems and organizations.



 

 

 

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##  Our Story 

In 2008, recognizing the growing need for data-driven decision-making in education, a team of researchers at Harvard launched the Strategic Data Project to bridge the gap between analysis and action. By recruiting and training data leaders and partnering with education organizations, SDP set out to transform how education agencies use data to improve student outcomes.

What began as a small initiative soon grew into a nationwide network of fellows, partners, and researchers committed to making data work for education. Over the years, SDP has expanded its reach from preschool to the workforce, developing tools, conducting research, and fostering a community dedicated to evidence-based decision-making.

Today, the Strategic Data Project has trained more than 1,400 education data leaders and analysts from across the country and remains at the forefront of the field, bringing together research, leadership, and practice to ensure that every education organization has the capacity to use data strategically in service of student success.



 

 

##  People and Partners 

 



 ### SDP Fellows

Our fellows are education data leaders driving change in school systems.

[**Meet our fellows**](/our-fellows "Fellows")



 

   ![cara jackson](/sites/g/files/omnuum4446/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/sdp/files/linderpix-harvardsdp-8116-web.jpg?itok=WiU77q0m) 

 

 

 

 ### SDP Partner Agencies

Our partners are education agencies working hand-in-hand with SDP to transform student outcomes.

[**Learn about our partners**](/our-partners "Our Partners")



 

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 ### Our Team & Leadership

Our staff lead innovation and support across all SDP initiatives.

[**More about the SDP team and leadership**](/staff "Staff")



 

   ![I heart data button and suit](/sites/g/files/omnuum4446/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-02/linderpix-Harvard-CEPR-0590-web%20%281%29.jpg?itok=Ht3qrf1m) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 ### Kathryn Johnson 

Mississippi Department of Education (SDP Fellow, 2015–2017)

"SDP brings together a truly amazing group of passionate, brilliant, and hard working individuals, all working toward a common goal of improving our educational systems and student outcomes through accurate, reliable, and thoughtful use of data. The connections made through the program are invaluable. It was an honor to participate."



 

 ### Barb Soisson

West Lynn School District (SDP Fellow, 2014–2016)

"I've found ways to make the use of date a regular part of our analysis and decision-making. I've seen and adapted examples of ways to effectively display and look at data. Our district has found assessment and data literacy to be of more importance."



 

 ### Amy McIntosh

New York State Education Department (SDP Partner, 2012–2014)

"We now bring some very powerful truths... based in data that we always had but were never able to liberate for the purposes of decision making."



 

 ### Tom Hay

Uplift Education (SDP Fellow, 2014–2016)

"It was a program that really catered to what I was looking for and needed in order to be effective at my district - a cohort of like-minded individuals to collaborate with, exposure to education research methods, chances to interact with Superintendents who have done the work, capacity building sessions, and the opportunity to do a complete project with a great group of individuals from other districts."



 

  

 

 

 

##  Join the SDP Network 

Interested in becoming an SDP network partner, fellow, or affiliate?



 

 



 [ Join us arrow\_circle\_right ](/apply)