#United States #New Orleans #Gulf South #Trepwise #Gulf Coast Eval Network

Trepwise Partners with Gulf Coast Eval Network

Trepwise, a New Orleans-based strategy consulting firm, is set to extend its reach throughout the Gulf South due to a significant new partnership with the Gulf Coast Eval Network (GCEval). This collaboration aims to enhance the evaluation capacity regionally, impacting Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama positively over the next three years.

Founded on a commitment to empower purpose-driven organizations, Trepwise is recognized for its inclusive and equity-driven strategic planning processes. This partnership marks a pivotal step in Trepwise's mission to influence and strengthen the social and economic fabric in communities across the Gulf South through enhanced collaboration and innovative practices.

Strategic Focus for Better Outcomes

With Trepwise now acting as the strategic planning partner for GCEval, both organizations are poised to develop a comprehensive three-year plan that clarifies GCEval's mission while engaging its diverse member base. This initiative emphasizes the importance of evaluation as a fundamental component of quality programming, particularly in the nonprofit sector.

Kevin Wilkins, founder of Trepwise, expressed pride in partnering with GCEval at a crucial time for the organization. He underscored the belief that creating inclusive strategies fosters the resilience of organizations. The collaboration aims to stimulate capacity building and connection across the Gulf South, enabling organizations to thrive together.

About Gulf Coast Eval Network

The Gulf Coast Eval Network is a nonprofit assembly of evaluation practitioners focused on peer learning, professional development, and offering a platform for collaboration among evaluation professionals. Transitioning from a grassroots effort to a more structured entity, GCEval seeks to be a sustainable hub for equity-centered evaluation in the Gulf South.

As the American Evaluation Association's affiliate for the states mentioned, GCEval is committed to supporting quality evaluation initiatives that prioritize equity and community impact. With Trepwise's expertise in facilitating strategic plans, this partnership is set to yield profound benefits in terms of operational effectiveness and community engagement.

A New Era of Collaborative Planning

Trepwise’s approach to creating the strategic plan for GCEval hinges on a participatory process that encompasses stakeholder engagement, insights discovery, and collaborative development. Utilizing virtual platforms and interactive tools, Trepwise aims for widespread participation among GCEval's members to ensure the plan resonates with the community it serves.

Bierbaum, a seasoned evaluator involved with GCEval, will collaborate closely with Trepwise, bringing invaluable insights from various organizations targeting educational equity and intersectional justice.

Vision for the Future

Elizabeth Sweeney, representing GCEval's Leadership Committee, highlighted the partnership’s potential to unite efforts for impactful outcomes in the Gulf South region. The formal launch of the partnership is set for early November, which will establish a Strategic Planning Steering Committee to oversee the planning process and ensure engaging and community-driven outcomes.

This collaboration not only marks an advancement for Trepwise but serves as a testament to what can be achieved when organizations in the Gulf South prioritize their combined strengths toward common goals. The expectation is for a shared vision that will enhance the ability of local organizations to effect change in their communities, foster resilience, and drive sustainable impact.

As these two entities come together, the implications for organizational development and the success of programs across the Gulf South are promising, creating a blueprint for collaboration that could serve as a model for other regions.

For more information about Trepwise and GCEval, please visit their respective websites.