Karyn Kelbaugh

SENIOR RESEARCH CONSULTANT | Director of Research & Evaluation

Karyn Kelbaugh (she/her) identifies as a white woman, born and raised in Ohio, now living in Texas, with her husband and 8 and 10 year old boys. She is a researcher and program evaluator with over 14 years of experience working with nonprofits. She specializes in quantitative and qualitative research and analysis, ethical survey design, and qualitative interviewing.

Karyn’s mission is to facilitate ethical, bias free research that respects the dignity of all participants and elevates and amplifies the voices and feedback of those who are traditionally not being heard.

Data is a powerful tool and is just as susceptible to corruption by bias and systemic influences as any other form of communication. Karyn strives to educate both nonprofits and businesses about best practices when collecting, analyzing and publishing data.

“Data driven” is a phrase that is easy to claim but harder to put into practice. Karyn thrives on doing the detailed work of digging into the data to gain insights that can then be shared with organizations and leaders to help them make truly informed decisions based on real information.

As Director of Research & Evaluation at Co-Creating Inclusion, Karyn leads the work to develop and iterate on how we incorporate research into every aspect of our work, collecting and analyzing data as well as sharing the results. In addition to designing, administering and analyzing surveys and interviews, she also supports our DEI consultants in developing methods for operationalizing, documenting and communicating our own often more intuitive approaches to research and analysis.

Karyn has a Masters of Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has worked with a variety of nonprofits and coalitions including those providing services for mental health, substance abuse issues, housing, gerontological services, literacy and various services for children. Karyn also conducts qualitative research for small businesses and strives to combine best practices and lessons from the nonprofit and for-profit worlds.

As Director of Research & Evaluation at Co-Creating Inclusion, Karyn leads the work to develop and iterate on how we incorporate research into every aspect of our work, collecting and analyzing data as well as sharing the results. In addition to designing, administering and analyzing surveys and interviews, she also supports our DEI consultants in developing methods for operationalizing, documenting and communicating our own often more intuitive approaches to research and analysis.