26. The Power of Community in Our Careers: A Conversation with Torriel Harris
Release Date: 01/23/2025
36. Work-Life Integration in Evaluation: A Conversation With Giovanna Montagner
The Evaluation Couch
This episode features Giovanna Montagner, an evaluator and Integrated Life Advocate with Third Path Institute. Giovanna shares her insights on work-life integration, contrasting it with the commonly discussed work-life balance. She explains work-life integration as an ongoing process to align work, family, community, and self-care according to personal priorities. Giovanna recounts her personal journey towards better work-life integration, including her shift from a demanding job to a lifestyle more aligned with her values through flexible work arrangements. She also discusses the challenges...
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35. Becoming a Credentialed Evaluator: Would I Do It Over?
The Evaluation Couch
In this episode, Maria reflects on her experience of becoming a Credentialed Evaluator through the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) and explores the evolving professionalization of the evaluation field. She examines both the support and skepticism surrounding the credentialing process, presenting key arguments for and against the program. Drawing from her own journey, Maria offers thoughtful insights into the tangible and intangible benefits of earning this designation. She also provides considertions for anyone considering this path, encouraging a careful assessment of the long-term...
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34. Growing Your Career with Evaluation Competencies
The Evaluation Couch
In this episode, Maria explores how evaluation competencies can help you grow into a stronger evaluator. She breaks down what evaluation competencies are and offers practical advice on selecting a framework to guide your career development. Maria also discusses how these competencies can ease the sense of overwhelm that often comes with building an evaluation career, allowing you to focus your efforts and seek guidance more effectively. Drawing from her own experiences, Maria shares examples of the competencies she has worked on at various stages of her journey. Resources Learn more...
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33. Leaders Transforming Evaluation Workplaces: Nina Sabarre
The Evaluation Couch
This episode series features inspiring women who are transforming the way evaluation businesses work by creating workplaces that are people-centered. In this episode, Nina Sabarre, founder and CEO of Intention 2 Impact (I2I), discusses the values-driven approach of her social impact consulting firm. Nina reflects on her past experiences with leadership and the importance of creating a supportive, inclusive workplace culture. She emphasizes the significance of embedding transparency and care into recruitment processes and how she has benefitted from being part of community of evaluation firm...
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32. Leaders Transforming Evaluation Workplaces: Monique Liston
The Evaluation Couch
This episode series features inspiring women who are transforming the way evaluation businesses work by creating workplaces that are people-centered. In this episode, Monique Liston from Ubuntu, an organization dedicated to racial equity, shares insights into Ubuntu's mission, practices, and organizational philosophy. Monique talks about her abolitionist leadership and how Ubuntu aims to create a world free of anti-Black racism by focusing on liberation and creating a workplace that enables collective healing and well-being. Monique discusses Ubuntu's innovative hiring practices, which...
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31. Leaders Transforming Evaluation Workplaces: Kat Haugh
The Evaluation Couch
This episode series features inspiring women who are transforming the way evaluation businesses work by creating workplaces that are people-centered. In this episode, Kat Haugh from Convive Collective shares her journey of creating a people-centered workplace that embraces flexibility, authenticity, and well-being. She discusses the principles of human design and how they have helped her create an environment where her staff can step into their unique gifts and strenghts. Maria and Kat discuss Kate's approach to recruitment and organizational learning. Kat also shares valuable career advise,...
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30. Transitions Across Sectors with Eric Barela
The Evaluation Couch
In this episode, Eric Barela shares his career journey spanning 20 years in various sectors, including non-profits, foundations, and corporate settings. Eric discusses his roles in differet organizations and his recent shift to consulting. Eric reflects on the importance of support systems, both personal and professional, and emphasizes the need for evaluators to remain adaptable and continuously learning. He also touches on the challenges and opportunities that come with transitioning between different sectors and how his evaluation practice has evolved throughout these changes. Eric...
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29. Ratiba's Learnings From Navigating Uncertainty in International Development
The Evaluation Couch
In this episode, Ratiba Taouti Cherif joins Maria to share insights from her 20 years of experience in international development. Together, they explore Ratiba's learnings from navigating uncertainty in this space: Your industry is not your identity You will lose networks and build new ones Diverisying income isn't a backup plan. It's a power move The future of work is independent and global Sitting on both ends of the table changed everything Stability isn't a job. It's adaptability. Where to start Resources To learn more about Her podcast is available on all...
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28. Transitioning to Corporate Philanthropy with Veronica Olazabal
The Evaluation Couch
In this episode, Maria interviews Veronica Olazabal about transitioning as an evaluator into the private sector, focusing on philanthropy and corporate philanthropy. Veronica shares her experiences, the skills required for such transitions, and the differences evaluators may face in corporate settings. She also offers key advice for those considering this transition such as understanding different terminologies, aligning skillsets to new roles, the importance of conflict resolution, communication, and risk management. Veronica emphasizes the significance of resilience, adaptability, and...
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27. Building Community: A Dialogue on Values and Collaborative Reflective Practice
The Evaluation Couch
This episode features Libby Smith, Deven Wisner, and Tiffany Tovey who share about their new community of practice for higher education evaluators and assessment professionals. This episode discusses alignment with our values, the value of collaborative reflective practice, and the role of community in navigating professional challenges. Resources Learn more about... Libby's work through her website: The community of practice here: Libby, Deven, and Tiffany's collaborative reflective practice through their podcast
info_outlineThis episode features Torriel Harris, a career coach who is on a mission to help 500 women in their careers. The episode starts with a discussion of how community can help us heal from career related events. Then, Torriel shares her views on building community, how community has played a role in her career, and how she is incorporating community in her coaching program "Command the Room, Sis!". Maria and Torriel end the episode with practical tips for people wanting to start building their own communities to support their careers.
Follow Torriel Harris on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and programs.
Learn more about The Bloom, the community for social impact careers where Torriel and Maria met.