The Evaluation Couch

In this episode, Maria explores why advancing into manager and director roles in evaluation requires a different mindset. Using the Global Evaluation Initiative Competency Framework, she explains how expectations evolve across individual contributor, team leader, and manager roles, and why the same competency can look very different at each level. Through practical examples, she helps listeners understand how to position their experience more effectively, unpacks the often-unspoken factors that influence hiring and promotion decisions, and shares three concrete actions to help evaluators become stronger candidates for senior leadership roles.

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

Resources:

Access the Global Evaluation's Initative Competency Framework here.

Download The Evaluator's Leadership Edge here.

In this episode, Maria discusses the concept of "evaluation gurus," why the term is used, and the role our relationship with these figures can play in our careers. She introduces what people mean when they call someone an evaluation guru, and how these figures differ from grandfathers of evaluation and mentors. She then outlines four risks of over-idolizing them that can have negative impacts on your career. Finally, she talks about how reflective practice can help you define your evaluator identity and protect you from these risks.

Watch the Own Your Edge Masterclass (available until August 31st 2026)

Join the September 2026 cohort of The Evaluator's Edge.

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

Resources:

Learn more about EvalSoWhite by Vidhya Shanker, PhD, and Carolina De La Rosa Mateo, MPH here and here.

This episode breaks down the seven strategies every evaluator should put in place to increase their career resiliency when faced with a potential layoff. Maria discusses the emotional and physical impacts of layoffs and why no sector is immune to organizational change. She then walks through the exact steps she is taking as an evaluator to increase her career resiliency.

In this episode you'll learn:

✔ How to build a six‑month emergency fund

✔ How to strengthen internal and external professional connections

✔ What "work capital" is and why you need it before a layoff

✔ How to secure shareable work samples without breaking your organization's policies

✔ How to capture and quantify the impact of your evaluation work

✔ Why you should use your health, sick, and vacation benefits proactively

✔ How reducing uncertainties about the layoff process can help you

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

Ever dreaded explaining what you do as an evaluator? In this episode, recorded live at the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) 2026 conference in Edmonton, real evaluators share the most ridiculous reactions they've gotten when explaining their profession and how they go about explaining what they do.

If you've ever struggled to explain program evaluation, been mistaken for an auditor or a human resource representative, or wondered how to introduce yourself as an evaluator without hiding behind a job title, this episode is for you. You'll hear real, practical examples from 9 evaluators on how they explain evaluation to friends, clients, and strangers.

In this episode you'll hear from: Evan Poncelet, Beth Snow, Sujin Chang, Nelson Jean-Francois, Judy Lifshitz, Karen Terrel Jackson, Roman Katsnelson, Carolyn Hoessler, Stephanie Spencer

In this episode you'll learn:

• How to explain what an evaluator does in simple, clear language
• Real examples from program evaluators across healthcare, government, and nonprofits
• Why your job title isn't your professional identity
• How to turn "What do you do?" into a conversation starter, not an awkward moment

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In this episode, Maria sits down with Amy Gray, Director of Evaluation and Learning, to discuss her journey through career uncertainty, imposter syndrome, and finding alignment in the evaluation field. Amy shares how she moved from feeling stuck and questioning her abilities to discovering her strengths, building confidence, and landing an exciting new role aligned with her values and goals. Learn more about The Evaluator's Edge and join our June cohort here. https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

What happens when a skilled evaluator realizes she knows more than she gives herself credit for?

In this episode, we sit down with Hairat, a consultant and evaluator passionate about racial equity and justice, who completed The Evaluator's Edge coaching program. Hairat shares how she went from feeling stuck being too senior for junior roles, too junior for senior ones, to confidently articulating her unique value and making intentional career moves.

She opens up about the mindset shifts that came from the program, how she learned to ask for what she needs (from organizations and volunteer opportunities), and why building community has become central to her career growth strategy.

Learn more about The Evaluator's Edge here: https://mariamontenegro.ca/pages/join-the-evaluators-edge

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In this episode, Maria sits down with Doaa Abou Hussein, co-founder of Kindred Purpose Consultants, to explore what it truly means to build a business around your values. Doaa shares her journey from evaluation professional to entrepreneur, including the pivotal moment in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon that solidified her mission, why she made the bold decision to brand her company as openly pro-Palestine, and how emotional intelligence and compassion are not soft skills but essential tools for ethical, human-centered evaluation. From working with marginalized communities and newcomer women experiencing gender-based violence, to nurturing a growing team through collective trauma, this conversation is a masterclass in courageous leadership, decolonial practice, and the power of betting on yourself.

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

This episode is the first one of a series celebrating International Women's Month. Maria sits with Claudia Olavarría, an evaluator from Chile with 15 years of experience in international development. Claudia shares her journey navigating a career as a mother of four, building a consultancy while balancing caregiving responsibilities, and the support networks that made it possible. Together they explore feminist evaluation — what it means, why it matters, and how Claudia defines it as simply good evaluation — covering key competencies like cultural responsiveness, participatory methods, and transformative practice. The conversation also touches on the emotional realities of fieldwork, protecting communities and evaluators from vicarious trauma, and Claudia's call to action for a more inclusive, gender-responsive field.

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In the third episode of the "One Year On" series, Beeta Tahmassebi shares her journey from 25-year organizational leader to first-time entrepreneur. After leaving her role amid widespread sector upheaval and USAID's shutdown, Beeta founded Illuminate, a consulting firm and learning center built on urgency, resilience, and community. In this conversation with Maria, she reveals the realities of launching a business during crisis, the "100 calls" strategy that shaped her path, navigating consultant rates in a constrained market, balancing hope with countless rejections, and learning to find energy in uncertainty. Beeta offers practical advice for evaluators considering independent consulting, discusses AI adoption in evaluation work, and reflects on recreating professional community after institutional loss. Whether you're navigating career disruption, building an independent practice, or simply trying to find your footing in a transformed field, this episode delivers honest insights and actionable strategies for moving forward when the ground shifts beneath you.

In the second episode of the One Year On series, the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) President Matt Sanscartier reflects on the impacts to the field of evaluation over the last twelve months. Matt discusses the differences between ideological attacks on evidence in the US versus fiscal pressures in Canada, CES's strategic response through advocacy and expanded membership outreach, and the organization's commitment to equity-centered work and reconciliation. Despite mounting anxieties around job security and shrinking budgets, Matt delivers a rallying message: evaluation is not a luxury but a fundamental tool for democratic accountability, and the CES community of over 1,500 members stands ready to demonstrate that our work has never been more essential.

Resources:

Learn more about the CES 2026 conference here.

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In this episode of the "One Year On" series, Maria speaks with Karen Jackson, the 2025 President of the American Evaluation Association (AEA), about navigating one of the most disruptive years in the field of evaluation. Karen reflects on leading AEA through multiple crises while balancing roles as university faculty and consultant. She discusses the October 2025 "Morning After Coalition" call to action, emphasizing the need for evaluators to collectively respond rather than "adapt quietly" to threats against evidence-based practice. Karen highlights key lessons from her presidency, including the importance of curiosity, community-engaged leadership, relationship building, and recognizing evaluators' power to shape how the world values evidence. She also stresses that professional associations like AEA are member-led ecosystems requiring active participation from the entire evaluation community.

Resources:

Read Karen's call to action here.

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

Adding "learning" to a job title doesn't mean learning is actually happening. In this episode, Florence Randari breaks down what it really takes to operationalize the "L" in MEL. Florence explains why MEL systems often fail to support learning even when rebranded as "MEL," and what needs to change. Florence discusses the difference between evaluation questions and learning questions, the competencies needed to facilitate learning, and provides practical tools and processes for embedding learning in your work.

Resources:

Follow Florence Randari to learn more about integrating Learning in MEL.

Susbcribe to the Learn Adapt Manage (LAN) Network here.

Read some of the articles discussed in this episode:

Designing for Decisions: How to Build Learning Systems That Actually Lead to Action | LinkedIn

Small Shifts That Made My Learning Workshops Actually Work | LinkedIn

What makes a Pause and Reflect Meeting Different?.....The Agenda | LinkedIn

Check out the BetterEvaluation Career in Evaluation page.

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In this episode, Maria shares how she fast-tracked her evaluation career in under four years without needing the typical 8-10 years of experience. She breaks down the "career growth fallacy" that holds many evaluators back and discusses six key strategies that accelerated her journey. This episode offers practical insights on how to create meaningful growth without waiting for arbitrary experience milestones. Register for the Own Your Edge Masterclass happening on January 20, 2026 here.

Resources

Listen to Maria's episode on Planned Happenstance here.

Check out the BetterEvaluation Building a Career in Evaluation page here.

Do you ever wonder if your personality is "right" for leadership in evaluation? In this episode, Maria challenges the myth that only certain personality types belong in leadership roles by exploring what research says about personality and leadership, why extroverts are overrepresented in leadership positions, and how introverts can be just as effective depending on the team context. Using the D.O.P.E. framework—Dove, Owl, Peacock, and Eagle—she breaks down four personality types and how they show up in evaluation work, discussing their natural strengths, potential challenges, and specific skills they can develop to become more effective leaders. This episode will help you understand how to work with your natural personality while building the skills you need to thrive in leadership.

Register for the Own Your Edge Masterclass happening on January 20, 2026 here.

Resources

Take the Test - D.O.P.E. Personality

D.O.P.E. Personality - Home

D.O.P.E visual

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In this episode, Maria interviews Slavica Stevanovic from Qatalyst Research Group, about the integration of artificial intelligence in evaluation consulting. Slavica shares how Qatalyst's early investment into technology allowed it to adopt artificial intelligence to streamline processes and deliver client solutions. The discussion covers the implications of artificial intelligence on evaluation consulting, the importance of human judgment and critical thinking, and practical strategies for professionals to stay relevant and adaptable in a rapidly changing field.

Resources

Check out Qatalyst's reports dicussed in this episode:

• Beyond the Hype: The Threat AI Poses for Consulting Firms
• A Survival Guide for Consulting Firms: Responding to the Threat Posed by AI

Download your free workbook to become a confident evaluator who attracts top opportunities in 4 steps here.

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In this episode, evaluator Cecilia Eva Beloqui shares her inspiring journey of building visibility and community through daily posting on LinkedIn. She reflects on the discipline and consistency it took to commit to sharing resources every day for a year, the challenges of creating meaningful content, and the powerful connections and collaborations that emerged as a result. Cecilia discusses how curating and amplifying others' work has strengthened her own evaluation practice, helped her communicate more effectively, and opened doors to new opportunities. Her story highlights the value of visibility, generosity, and authentic engagement in shaping both careers and the broader evaluation field.

To learn more about Cecilia, follow her on LinkedIn.

Download your free workbook to become a confident evaluator who attracts top opportunities in 4 steps here.

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In this episode, Mishkah Teladia shares her journey into a portfolio career, discussing her transition from a long-standing role in international development to exploring diverse opportunities that align with her purpose. She emphasizes the importance of self-discovery, the value of relational intelligence, and the need for flexibility in today's evolving work landscape. Mishkah also reflects on the emotional challenges of navigating career transitions and the joy that comes from integrating work and life.

Download your free workbook to become a confident evaluator who attracts top opportunities in 4 steps here.

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In this episode, Maria Montenegro is joined by Kelsi Kriitmaa to explore the concept of portfolio careers. They discuss the evolving landscape of work, particularly in the social impact sector, and how portfolio careers can offer flexibility and diverse opportunities. Kelsi shares her personal journey from a traditional career path that started in evaluation to embracing multiple roles, including coaching, consulting, and community building. The episode covers the challenges and benefits of portfolio careers, offering insights for those considering this path in a rapidly changing job market. Resources

Learn more about Kelsi's work and her group coaching program for consulting here.

Learn more about Kelsi's coach Amanda Goetz here.

Download your free workbook to become a confident evaluator who attracts top opportunities in 4 steps here.

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

Live from Eval25 in Kansas City, Maria sits down with Denise Baer, Nathan Varnell, and Nina Sabarre for a dynamic conversation on the future of evaluation. Together, they explore why advocating for evaluation has never been more critical in the face of recent disruptions to the field.

The guests reflect on what makes these challenges unique, highlight opportunities to strengthen the case for evaluation, and share practical strategies for communicating its value across diverse spaces. Along the way, they discuss how we can support one another as a community and ensure evaluation continues to thrive in times of disruption.

Download your free workbook to become a confident evaluator who attracts top opportunities in 4 steps here.

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro

In this conversation, Mahesh Krishnan Ramesh shares his journey of pursuing a career in public policy and evaluation. He discusses the cultural challenges of becoming an evaluator in India, the innovative approaches he has taken in his career, and the significance of mentorship and networking. He concludes with valuable advice for emerging evaluators on advocating for evaluation in various sectors. Resources

Mahesh4World - YouTube

Learn more about Mahesh's FIME awards project here.

Download your free workbook to become a confident evaluator who attracts top opportunities in 4 steps here.

https://www.mariamontenegro.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamontenegro