The number of evaluation data engagement instances has varied significantly year to year. In earlier years (2020–2022), SisterWeb staff engaged with data approximately 11–12 times annually, aligning with regular program review cycles and grant reporting periods. However, engagement dropped sharply in 2023, with only 2–6 recorded instances. This decline may reflect shifts in leadership, staff turnover, and increased organizational demands that limited time and capacity for collective reflection. In 2024, efforts to rebuild evaluation culture and increase visibility into performance measures helped increase engagement back up to 18 instances—a positive sign that data is once again being used actively for reflection, improvement, and celebration.

Key partners in this work include the Co-Executive Director of Evaluations, evaluation and operations staff, program leads, and frontline doulas. Leadership’s commitment to embedding evaluation into team culture is critical. Other collaborators—like funders, consultants, and external evaluators—can offer tools, frameworks, and accountability to ensure evaluation remains integrated into the organizational cycle. Department leads and doula mentors also serve as internal champions for turning data into dialogue.

Increased engagement in 2024 suggests that integrating data review into standing meetings (e.g., quarterly reviews, program check-ins) supports sustained interaction. When data is presented in a user-friendly, narrative-driven format and paired with actionable insights, it becomes more meaningful for staff across all roles. Collaborative reflection sessions—where staff co-interpret data and identify ways to adapt their work—have also been effective. Building a shared sense of purpose around the data helps staff see evaluation not as compliance but as a tool for growth and storytelling.

To maintain and further increase meaningful engagement with evaluation data, SisterWeb can institutionalize quarterly data dialogues across departments, aligned with the Annual SW Calendar. These should focus not just on metrics but also on what the data means for staff experience, client impact, and organizational learning. Creating short, visually appealing summaries and including time for discussion in team meetings will help normalize data use. Finally, training in data interpretation—especially for staff in non-evaluation roles—can empower more team members to contribute to reflective practice and improvement.