Photo of Kristen Goettsch, Face It TOGETHER's Senior Evaluation Scientist

Kristen Goettsch (she/her)

Senior Evaluation Scientist

Kristen directs our robust evaluation program, leading its design, overseeing data collection and managing research analysis. She also leads our development and academic training initiatives.

Kristen has more than 13 years of experience managing a variety of externally funded projects in the private and nonprofit sectors. She brings her experience in collaboration, project management and evaluation to Face It TOGETHER. In her role as Senior Evaluation Scientist, she oversees data collection and analysis for all aspects of our work, and directs our comprehensive evaluation program, development initiatives and academic training. She also works with our leadership and communications teams to tell our story through data and completes relevant reports for various stakeholders.

Prior to joining Face It TOGETHER, Kristen served as the Intellectual Asset Manager at POET Research, working with scientists to document research outcomes and manage intellectual property. Prior to that, she worked as the Compliance Administrator for a $125 million initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and State of Iowa for POET-DSM Project Liberty in Emmetsburg, IA.

From 2002 to 2010 she was employed with the Center for Disabilities located at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, where she served as an assistant faculty member for her work with internship programs and as Director of Development and Evaluation. In this role she managed grant writing and development as well as stakeholder communications. She also worked with a variety of partners, including statewide groups, to address the needs of people from underserved populations through strategic development activities.

Kristen previously worked with the State of South Dakota and National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – South Dakota to develop programming and projects for women using alcohol while pregnant and those impacted by a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Additionally, Kristen has personal experience with the disease of addiction. Watching her loved one suffer through the disease and experiencing what the system had to offer at the time feeds her passion. She's committed to challenging the entrenched practices of the past so we can solve the disease of addiction.

She continues to work with adults with disabilities through the instruction and modeling of social skills and facilitation of a weekly book club. Kristen has a great passion for working with and serving people from a variety of backgrounds and abilities. She has a master’s degree in adult and higher education and bachelor’s degree in English education, both from the University of South Dakota.

Kristen lives in Sioux Falls with her husband, Tim. They have two children and one grandchild.


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