Summary
Michelle Oliva is the Co-Founder of EduDream, where she serves as a visionary leader, chief executive officer, and project lead. Michelle provides strategic direction to ensure EduDream’s work is grounded in its organizational values, approach, and mission. Her dedication to fostering more equitable educational opportunities for all students is deeply rooted in her background as a Chicago Public Schools graduate, daughter of immigrants, and first-generation college student. Michelle was born and raised in Chicago, attending college in the city and spending much of her professional career there. In 2021, she relocated to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where she looks forward to building relationships, serving communities, and forging partnerships.
As a project lead, Michelle lends her research and evaluation expertise to support team members, clients, and partners to co-create research designs and evaluation plans, develop interview and focus group protocols, collect and analyze qualitative data, triangulate data, and communicate findings in various formats for different audiences. She helps partners and clients understand data and unpack the contextual factors that may explain a program’s impact, strengths, and challenges. Together with Monica, as Co-Founders, they are committed to cultivating a supportive and human-centered team that delivers high-quality, rigorous, and accessible work.
Education
- MA in Social Science from the University of Chicago
- BA in Public Policy from the University of Chicago
Previous Experience
Michelle V. Oliva has been an education researcher, evaluator, and technical assistance consultant for over 15 years, including time at the American Institutes for Research, Learning Point Associates, and the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. Her expertise includes project management, facilitating interviews and focus groups with various stakeholders, community participant outreach, data analysis, and report writing. She has substantial experience facilitating working groups with nonprofit and community leaders where they examine practices using evidence and culturally responsive approaches. She is also fluent in written and conversational Spanish.
Outside of work, you can find Michelle…
- In coffee shops, working or reading, while her teens are in their extracurricular activities
- Watching unscripted shows (i.e., documentaries and reality shows)
- On hikes with her chocolate lab, BuddyLove
