Behavioral Science Research Institute - BSRI

05/18/2026

AI can generate code, clean data and build dashboards faster than any analyst. So what's left for us?

Andrew Barron, BSRI Data Analyst II, breaks it down in this week's reel.

The technical skills that have long defined strong analysts are being challenged by AI. What AI can't replicate is the thinking behind the analysis. Collaborating in community meetings. Asking the right questions. Translating complex findings into decisions that actually move organizations forward.
At BSRI, that's the kind of work we're focused on. Not just transforming data, but transforming understanding.

The future analyst isn't a technician. They're a critical thinker, a translator and a decision partner.

What skill do you think will define the next generation of data analysts?

05/13/2026

Last week, BSRI CEO Angela Mooss and Senior Research Associate Shawneaqua Edwards joined nonprofit leaders, philanthropists and community advocates at the IGNITE! Annual Conference, presented by PhilanthropyMiami. IGNITE! is Miami's premier gathering for those committed to courageous leadership and building a stronger, more resilient community.

🗣️Angela shared, "One of my biggest takeaways from IGNITE! this year: people are the infrastructure behind impact. Strategy matters. Data matters. Sustainability matters. But none of it works without relationships, collaboration, and spaces where nonprofit leaders feel genuinely seen and supported. I'm leaving inspired by the collective energy in this community and the reminder that meaningful systems change is always powered by people first."

Thank you, PhilanthropyMiami, for creating a space where the sector can learn, connect and grow together.

05/07/2026

It had been a while… and we were well overdue! At BSRI, one of our favorite traditions made its return: Wine & Beer Wars.

From blind tastings to guessing origins, pairings, and notes – it's always a fun time gathering after hours, blending a little friendly competition with meaningful time spent together.

05/06/2026

Grant reporting doesn't have to feel like a fire drill.
Joshua Evans, Research Associate II at BSRI, can spot the pattern: teams scrambling at the deadline, chasing down data, piecing together success stories from memory. Box checked, cycle repeated. ✔️

In his latest piece, Joshua makes the case for a smarter approach. When information is tracked and organized throughout the grant cycle, reporting shifts from a last-minute scramble to a streamlined process that produces a clear, data-informed story about what's working and where to go next. It's the systems perspective he brings to his work with program teams and organizational partners, helping them turn data into a tool for real decision-making time and again, not just compliance.

Less stress. Better data. More impact.

Read the full blog post below and find resources on how to replicate this strategy in your organization at the links below. Throughout the year to come, we will be sharing our knowledge as a way to support our community while winding down. Keep an eye out!

Blog: https://bsrinstitute.org/document/from-compliance-to-clarity-rethinking-grant-reporting/
Practical Checklist: https://bsrinstitute.org/document/taking-the-stress-out-of-grant-reporting-a-practical-checklist-for-clear-consistent-and-meaningful-reports/

Reporting is one aspect of compliance that most grant-funded organizations cannot escape. Whether you’re producing bullet-point summaries or a long-form

05/05/2026

This quarter's Superstar Award goes to Melanie Gonzalez, Chief People Officer. She was nominated by our team for a variety of reasons, including…

⭐ Leading wind down activities with steadiness and care
⭐ Ensuring every employee has the job search support and resources needed for what comes next
⭐ Serving as a consistent pillar of support for the operations team
⭐ Making her mark in the HR podcast world and representing BSRI at a major industry conference

She has stayed committed to this organization and to every person in it. Thank you and well deserved, Melanie!

05/04/2026

What does a day in the life of a data analyst actually look like?

For Gabriela Diaz, she spends her days pulling insights from across the organization, making connections between teams, projects and outcomes that might not be obvious at first glance. But the technical work is only part of it.

"A big part of my job is listening, understanding what they need and how the data can support them."

That approach, meeting colleagues where they are and translating complex information into something actionable, is exactly how data becomes more than numbers. It becomes a tool for impact. We're grateful to have Gaby on the team!

And, stay tuned. 👀 The next "Day in the Life" feature will introduce you to another member of the BSRI team. More to come!

04/27/2026

Expertise is a complicated word.
As a community-focused researcher and evaluator, Jack Vertovec doesn't see himself as the expert on people's lives. That distinction belongs to the communities he works with. His role is to bring that expertise forward through qualitative research, participatory methods and community engaged evaluation.

It's a reframe worth sitting with: who actually holds the knowledge that drives meaningful change and how can researchers best support them?

🎥 Watch the full video to hear how Jack puts this philosophy into practice through his community-focused research and evaluation work.

04/24/2026

Your board is one of an organization’s most powerful assets. How can you make the most of it?

Here’s what our leadership team has found actually works:

1. Onboard with intention. Build a clear, comprehensive onboarding process with defined roles so members can contribute from day one.

2. Build real relationships. Get to know your board members beyond their credentials. Trust built outside the boardroom shows up when it matters most.

3. Tap into their expertise and networks. Come to meetings with prepared questions. Create topic-specific committees for deeper dives. When launching new strategies, think about who in your board's network can open doors.

4. Engage at the right moments. Involve your board in strategic planning cycles early, not after decisions are already made.

5. Diversify deliberately. A mix of seasoned and emerging board members across industries and areas of expertise leads to richer, more resilient governance.

6. Make participation easy. Give board members systems that simplify attendance, voting, records access, and connection with one another.

What does your organization do to bring out the best in your board? We'd love to hear it.

04/23/2026

PJ Day is a BSRI classic—we show up in our coziest fits every year.

But this time… the team really understood the assignment 😴

From couches to conference tables, we didn’t just wear the PJs—we committed to the full experience. And for those not pictured… let’s just say they may have taken things even further participating while “working” from home 😂