Our Team
Other roles:
Facilitator for Association of Nonprofit Specialists Consultant Circle
Program Chair of the New York Consortium of Evaluators (former)
Web/ Social Media Chair of the AEA Independent Consultants TIG (former)
Cat Parent
Plant Enthusiast
Allison Shurilla, MPP
Founder and Lead Consultant
Allison Shurilla (she/they), founder and Lead Consultant of AS Community Consulting, has over 15 years of experience consulting nonprofits, schools, and public agencies on their evaluation and research goals. In addition to her consulting experience, she has 20 years of experience working in the education and nonprofit sector as a staff member, volunteer, educator, and board member. She has backgrounds in education, youth work, public health, community engagement, and the arts in a local, national, and international capacity.
Her approach to evaluation uses a combination of traditional evaluation consulting, social justice-based research methodologies, community organizing principles, and coaching techniques.
Allison founded AS Community Consulting, Inc. with the mission of using her evaluation and research expertise to contribute to social change through honoring and uplifting the expertise of communities that are often disenfranchised, especially in the research world.
Collaborators
AS Community Consulting builds custom teams for each of our projects. We draw from our network of talented consultants and specialists to support the unique needs of each project. Our collaborators are located throughout the US/ Turtle Island and represent a diversity of professional and lived experiences that help us holistically support our projects, clients, and communities. Our team includes evaluators, researchers, practitioners, coaches, designers, and other support- we wouldn’t be who we are without them.
Core Team
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Taja Will
they/ them
HEALING JUSTICE CONSULTANT
Taja (they/them) is an artist, educator, coach and consultant based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They maintain a dynamic consulting practice with a Healing Justice approach. Currently, they work with individuals, organizations, non-profits and communities across the United States. Notably, Taja is a coach for the MAP Fund’s…
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Melody Bussey
she/ her/ hers
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
With over 15 years of experience, Melody currently serves as a Virtual Assistant to Allison Shurilla, bringing a wealth of expertise in project management, graphic design, and customer service. She specializes in managing complex projects, creating compelling visual designs, and providing exceptional client experiences. Her versatile…
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Malla Haridat
she/ her/ hers
BUISINESS COACH
Malla Haridat is an award-winning entrepreneurship strategist and ecosystem consultant who builds programs, platforms, and people with the tools they need to grow — from under-resourced communities to executive teams and government institutions. With over 15 years of experience at the intersection of entrepreneurship…
Project Consultants
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Kelsey Antle, PhD
she/ her/ ella
PROJECT CONSULTANT
Kelsey Antle focuses her work on the intersection of social determinants of health, criminal legal involvement, and equity across social systems. She currently serves as the Managing Director of Research and Evaluation…
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Dara Bright, PhD
she/ her/ hers
PROJECT CONSULTANT
Dr. Dara Bright is an evaluation consultant and program strategist with over 5 years of experience leading outcome evaluations, psychometric analyses, and strategic assessments for academic institutions…
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Anaïs Deal-Márquez
she/ her/ hers
PROJECT CONSULTANT
Anaïs Deal-Márquez is a cultural strategist, based out of Minneapolis, MN, unceded Dakota and Anishinaabe territory. She has over a decade of experience in grassroots advocacy, community organizing, and…
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Kristin Patton
she/ they
PROJECT CONSULTANT
Kristin Patton (she/they), is a catalyst for values and purpose-aligned organizational transformation. As Founder and Lead Facilitator of Ensemble Consulting, Kristin helps leaders and stakeholders realize their mission…
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Em Spalti
they/ she
PROJECT CONSULTANT
Em Spalti, (they/her), is a nonbinary researcher with over 10 years of public sector expertise. Working in nonprofit building and data analytics, Em is committed to driving and measuring organizational success.
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Gina Vanegas, M.Ed., Ph.D.
she/ her/ ella
PROJECT CONSULTANT
Dr. Vanegas is a skilled consultant and engaging speaker who is committed to supporting organizations in their quest to create healthy and inclusive environments by sharing her expertise in the…
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KaYing Vang
she/ her/ hers
PROJECT CONSULTANT
KaYing has spent her career working with passionate individuals and organizations committed to creating a better world. Her expertise lies in helping organizations measure and deepen their impact, with an emphasis on developing…
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Ashley N. Watson, Ph.D.
she/ her/ hers
PROJECT CONSULTANT
Ashley N. Watson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at SUNY Geneseo. Her interdisciplinary scholarship explores discourses of difference, the sociology of…