In The News

28 Apr 2025

Insights From The Semafor World Economy Summit

Attending the Semafor World Economy Summit in Washington, D.C. from April 23–25 was a powerful reminder of the importance of dialogue between the public and private sectors and the integral role media outlets can play as a convener. The Summit brought together CEOs, policymakers, economists, and public sector leaders from the state and federal levels to share perspectives on the economy, the future of innovation, the role of responsible leadership, and the need for stronger collaboration across sectors to address today’s complex challenges. I was encouraged to see policy leaders from several states we work closely with including Kentucky, Connecticut, and Illinois. One of the highlights of my experience was participating in a roundtable discussion on AI and Public Sector. It was an engaging and forward-looking conversation about how governments and private companies are shaping the development of AI to serve the public good. AI is a tool above all else that can be deployed in any number of directions and at Coleridge Initiative, we are embracing this by applying the technology within our secure data environments to strengthen privacy safeguards and streamline research workflows for government partners. As the roundtable wrapped, a consensus emerged around the idea that while AI systems can be impactful it also takes public-private collaboration to build systems that are transparent and beneficial to society.  Many of the sessions at the Summit were structured as brief 20-minute conversations on focused topics, and I found the format informative and easily digestible. On Thursday afternoon, the session with Ian Bremmer, President and Founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, was a fast-paced, deep dive into geopolitical shifts, emphasizing how global uncertainty is reshaping both markets and policymaking. His remarks highlighted the importance of agility, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration, which align deeply with Coleridge’s approach to building a connected data ecosystem for public impact. At Coleridge Initiative, we believe that data collaboration across sectors is essential for smarter public policy and that cannot take place without innovation across sectors. Participating in the World Economy Summit affirmed that our mission—to make secure, accessible, and actionable data central to public decision-making—is aligned with the broader movement and ecosystem to build stronger bridges between the private and public spheres to inform decision making. 

28 Apr 2025

Insights From The Semafor World Economy Summit

Attending the Semafor World Economy Summit in Washington, D.C. from April 23–25 was a powerful reminder of the importance of dialogue between the public and private sectors and the integral role media outlets can play as a convener. The Summit brought together CEOs, policymakers, economists, and public sector leaders from the state and federal levels to share perspectives on the economy, the future of innovation, the role of responsible leadership, and the need for stronger collaboration across sectors to address today’s complex challenges. I was encouraged to see policy leaders from several states we work closely with including Kentucky, Connecticut, and Illinois. One of the highlights of my experience was participating in a roundtable discussion on AI and Public Sector. It was an engaging and forward-looking conversation about how governments and private companies are shaping the development of AI to serve the public good. AI is a tool above all else that can be deployed in any number of directions and at Coleridge Initiative, we are embracing this by applying the technology within our secure data environments to strengthen privacy safeguards and streamline research workflows for government partners. As the roundtable wrapped, a consensus emerged around the idea that while AI systems can be impactful it also takes public-private collaboration to build systems that are transparent and beneficial to society.  Many of the sessions at the Summit were structured as brief 20-minute conversations on focused topics, and I found the format informative and easily digestible. On Thursday afternoon, the session with Ian Bremmer, President and Founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, was a fast-paced, deep dive into geopolitical shifts, emphasizing how global uncertainty is reshaping both markets and policymaking. His remarks highlighted the importance of agility, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration, which align deeply with Coleridge’s approach to building a connected data ecosystem for public impact. At Coleridge Initiative, we believe that data collaboration across sectors is essential for smarter public policy and that cannot take place without innovation across sectors. Participating in the World Economy Summit affirmed that our mission—to make secure, accessible, and actionable data central to public decision-making—is aligned with the broader movement and ecosystem to build stronger bridges between the private and public spheres to inform decision making. 

04 Apr 2025

A Pivotal Moment to Gather

“Isn’t this a pivotal moment?”  I kicked off our Fifth Annual Coleridge Convening in Washington, D.C. with this question, acknowledging the changing landscape in our nation’s capital and its implications for our work. Our nearly 250 Convening participants representing 37 states, who gathered in Arlington, VA, March 26-28, recognized the unique challenges of our current environment, with many noting that delivering on our Coleridge mission – empowering leaders, policymakers, and government agencies to create value through data literacy that inform better policies for the public good – is more critical than ever.  Across the main stage and breakout room discussions, there was an unwavering confidence in data-driven decision making – the belief that the real potential for transformative change in government is in secure, accessible, and what I like to call “elegant” data. By elegant, I mean dynamic, nimble, and versatile data that addresses the needs of the moment while preparing us for the future. This isn't theoretical. We had three new states join us this year from New York, Kansas, and West Virginia and one of the driving factors in their attendance was the real application of data collaboration in the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) shared at the Convening. For example, with help from KYStats we launched the Multi-State Postsecondary Report, which allows partner states to track how their residents move across state lines for postsecondary education and into the workforce, offering insights that no single state could capture on its own. Building on that momentum, our Democratizing Data Challenge program helped launch the Eastern States Longitudinal Data Collaborative, which brought together New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Virginia to expand the model regionally. These are a few of the cases where traditional systems have faced hurdles and Coleridge Initiative’s collaborative approach launched them over those obstacles. And we stand ready to do so again. Five critical opportunities emerged from our discussions that will shape our work in this pivotal moment: Data Integrity As Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody's and Coleridge Initiative board member, emphasized in his keynote, “we have seen the quality of the data eroding, and it is increasingly difficult to trust traditional sources.” Changes at the federal level have magnified these issues. With federal data infrastructure at risk, Coleridge's commitment to the highest standards of privacy and security has never been more essential. Our rigorous standards ensure policymakers can trust the evidence guiding their decisions. Pioneering Collaborative Governance Models  The "sandbox" we've created with the ADRF – where agencies can safely test innovative approaches to data sharing – continues to evolve. At this year's Convening, we unveiled Coleridge PASS (Privacy, Access, Safety, and Security), a groundbreaking layer that streamlines collaboration across agencies, datasets, agreements, and research projects. This framework maintains trust while accelerating insights.  Bottom-Up Data Ecosystem  While federal agencies navigate transition, an extraordinary opportunity emerges for states to lead. Coleridge Initiative has partnered with almost all 50 states in its five years and through the ADRF, we're witnessing the power of a bottom-up approach to data infrastructure. Each new agency, partner, and dataset creates a network effect that strengthens the entire ecosystem. Enhanced Compliance through Responsible AI  While secure data sharing will always require human oversight, we're strategically deploying AI to strengthen – not replace – critical safeguards. Our models build additional fail-safes into disclosure review and export processes. We’ve specifically enabled the use of AI as a data “export assistant,” allowing AI triage to surface potential data exposure issues for human review. This hybrid approach significantly reduces the risk of sensitive data transfer while maintaining rigorous oversight.  Translating Data into Action through Impact Storytelling  Marty Johnson, Director State Labor Information, Illinois Department of Employment Security, reminded us: “Data, when used in the right way, can tell the story that sits with people more deeply.” The growing Multi-state Data Collaborative demonstrates how sharing outcomes across boundaries amplifies impact and secures crucial investment. With dozens of projects currently underway across multiple government agencies, we're committed to helping you translate technical achievements into compelling narratives that resonate with policymakers and funders. The time is now to champion administrative data and prove once and for all that collaborative, data-driven approaches generate meaningful societal impact, even in uncertain times. We’re not just ready for the moment. We were built for it.

31 Mar 2025

COLERIDGE INITIATIVE'S 5TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENING HIGHLIGHTS THE FUTURE OF DATA-DRIVEN POLICY FOR PUBLIC GOOD

Data Leaders Converge to Champion Evidence-Based Policy at Critical Time WASHINGTON, DC, March 31, 2025 — The Coleridge Initiative hosted its 5th Annual National Convening in Arlington, VA, from March 26-28, bringing together nearly 300 data experts, policymakers and thought leaders to explore the transformative power of administrative data in shaping public policy. This year’s Convening, titled Empower Collaboration, Unlock Innovation, and Drive Impact, underscored how strategic partnerships and groundbreaking technology are impacting decision making for state, federal, and private sectors and unlocking the potential of data for public good. “We stand at a pivotal moment when the need for secure, accessible, and elegant data has never been more critical,” said Dr. Ahu Yildirmaz, President and CEO of the Coleridge Initiative. “This Convening highlights that need and the huge opportunity we have to work in partnership to advance data infrastructure, governance, and accessibility to drive better policies that improve lives.” The keynote address by Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody’s, emphasized the urgent need for data-driven policymaking amid funding constraints and workforce reductions. “We have seen the quality of data eroding, and it is increasingly difficult to trust traditional sources,” said Zandi. “Data is critical to understanding what is going on and how we respond.”     Yildirmaz celebrated five years of growth and looked to the future: “We are building something greater than a platform – we’re working to generate a network effect,” said Yildirmaz. “Coleridge is not just building a technology platform—we’re helping shape a national data ecosystem. One where every dataset, every agency, every partner contributes to something larger than itself.”  ​​Attendees rose to the challenge, focusing on collaboration between organizations and groundbreaking innovations in data integration to achieve meaningful impact on a range of societal issues. Discussions included: Empowering Collaboration Across the Public and Private Sectors Data Innovation to Drive Opportunity and Access in Higher Education Unlocking Responsible AI Uses with State and Federal Data Best Practices for Data Sharing, Governance, and Infrastructure Multi-State Data Collaborative (MSDC) Real-World Outcomes View the full Convening agenda A standout moment of the Convening was the presentation of the Data Champion of the Year Award to Robert McGough, Chief Data Officer for the state of Arkansas. The award recognizes exceptional leadership in advancing data-driven innovation in the public sector.  “I am honored to be recognized as Data Champion of the Year, especially among the many incredible data professionals from whom I have learned so much,” said McGough. Mike Rogers (Chief Workforce Officer), Dr. Jake Walker (Chief Research Officer), and I sincerely appreciated the opportunity to share how Arkansas is digitally transforming learning, employment, and advancement through new platforms and improving whole-person care through the Arkansas Integrated Referral and Outcomes System (AIROS). The Coleridge Initiative has been a vital partner in Arkansas’ data journey, and I am excited about the new efforts we have underway this year and the value they will provide to Arkansas and beyond.” About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Coleridge provides agencies with the opportunity to enhance their data literacy and collaborate within and across states to develop new technologies through the secure access and sharing of confidential microdata. Coleridge provides secure data enclave services to a diverse range of clients, including 24 state government agencies and several federal agencies, through the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF). The ADRF is a FedRAMP-authorized cloud-based platform that enables government agencies to link their longitudinal data with other states and agencies. To learn more, visit www.coleridgeinitiative.org Media contact: Nick Obourn, nick.obourn@coleridgeinitiative.org

26 Mar 2025

COLERIDGE INITIATIVE LAUNCHES COLERIDGE PASS TO REVOLUTIONIZE GOVERNMENT DATA ACCESS AND COLLABORATION

WASHINGTON, March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coleridge Initiative, a leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing data-driven policy, today launched Coleridge PASS, a pioneering development designed to streamline data access, enhance security, and facilitate seamless collaboration for researchers, data scientists, and government officials. With a more intuitive interface and powerful new features, Coleridge PASS accelerates user onboarding, simplifies data imports, and strengthens support services—empowering agencies and researchers on the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) platform to have a superior user experience and work more efficiently and securely than ever before. "With Coleridge PASS, we are transforming how government agencies and researchers interact with data," said Dr. Ahu Yildirmaz, President and CEO of the Coleridge Initiative. "By enhancing security and streamlining access, we are not only increasing efficiency but also breaking down barriers to drive the future of data-driven policymaking, enabling government agencies to develop better policies and practice for the public good." A Smarter, More Secure Platform As a software layer to the ADRF, Coleridge PASS optimizes operational workflows between agencies, datasets, agreements, and research projects. Key enhancements include: One-Stop Research Hub: Coleridge PASS consolidates essential functions into a single, user-friendly platform, allowing researchers to manage projects, collaborate, and request access to data—all without leaving the portal. Significant UI/UX improvements enhance self-service capabilities, streamline data imports, and accelerate user onboarding and provisioning. Enhanced Security & Compliance: Strengthened data governance features allow users to track data access, manage permissions with greater precision, and securely share code with colleagues—all while ensuring strict compliance with federal data security standards. "The new Coleridge PASS builds upon the ADRF, making it easier to monitor and manage data, projects, and access with additional useful information," said Robert McGough, Chief Data Officer for Arkansas. "With these new innovations, we are more able to harness data and evidence to drive meaningful change." About The ADRF Platform The Coleridge Initiative's award-winning Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) is a FedRAMP-authorized cutting-edge computational research platform that enables seamless, secure, and scalable data sharing across agencies and geographic boundaries. Designed to break down silos and enhance data-driven decision-making, ADRF empowers researchers, data scientists, and government agencies to collaborate more effectively while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and security. By providing advanced analytical tools, streamlined workflows, and robust support services, ADRF accelerates insights that drive policy innovation and improve public outcomes. About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Coleridge provides agencies with the opportunity to enhance their data literacy and collaborate within and across states to develop new technologies through the secure access and sharing of confidential microdata. Coleridge provides secure data enclave services to a diverse range of clients, including 24 state government agencies and several federal agencies, through the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF). The ADRF is a FedRAMP-authorized cloud-based platform that enables government agencies to link their longitudinal data with other states and agencies. To learn more, visit www.coleridgeinitiative.org Media contact: Nick Obourn, nick.obourn@coleridgeinitiative.org

18 Mar 2025

Coleridge Initiative Offers No Cost Services to Unlock the Power of Data

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The use of data, or lack thereof, in government decision making is in the news daily. Questions abound on how the Federal government stores, analyzes, and accesses data and how, especially at this moment, there are fundamental decisions on the structure and impact of the government being made using massive collections of data as a guide. All these actions underscore the power of data and the crucial role it has come to play in how policy decisions are made, both at the federal and state levels.  At Coleridge Initiative, we have long partnered with government agencies to unlock the power of data for public good. We believe that data, when used effectively, is a powerful tool that brings clarity for leaders; it’s a catalyst for informed decision-making, and a driver of real impact in communities. Whether it’s improving educational outcomes, shaping economic and workforce policies, or optimizing public resources, our focus on data-driven collaboration has highlighted firsthand how it leads to smarter and more effective policies. As always, we are committed to bridging the gap between data and decision-making. Because we believe the most good comes from sharing knowledge and learning together, we are happy to announce that we are currently offering several of our core services at no cost to partner organizations and those who wish to learn more about Coleridge Initiative.  We are pleased to offer fully subsidized seats to state agency staff and their nonprofit partners for our highly regarded Applied Data Analytics Training. Our 2025 offerings will focus on the domains of secondary and post-secondary education, corrections, and workforce.  Learn more about our ADA Training Program. In addition, we welcome meetings and conversations with state and federal leaders to discuss access and complimentary seats to the ADRF, our FedRAMP authorized computational research platform, where we provide educational tools, videos, and presentations on best practices in coding.  Learn more about our ADRF research platform. Request to learn more about our service offerings. About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. The organization empowers agencies to enhance workforce data literacy and fosters collaboration across states to develop innovative technologies through secure data sharing. Its FedRAMP-authorized Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) enables agencies to link longitudinal data across states and organizations. Learn more at www.coleridgeinitiative.org.

16 Jan 2025

Jeffrey Thomson Named Chair of The Coleridge Initiative Board of Directors

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Coleridge Initiative is pleased to announce the election of Jeffrey Thomson as Chair of the Board of Directors, succeeding Dr. Michael Holland, who has served on the board since the organization's inception. This leadership transition reflects Coleridge's continued growth and dedication to advancing data-driven decision-making for the public good. Thomson brings significant executive experience and expertise, leading a large accounting non-profit (501c3) as CEO for nearly 15 years, demonstrating deep expertise in governance, strategic planning, business transformation, enterprise risk management, and internal control. Joining the Coleridge Board of Directors in 2023, he has demonstrated a strong alignment with the organization's mission and values. "I am honored to step into the role of Chair and am inspired by Coleridge's commitment to harnessing data and analytics to address critical societal challenges," said Thomson. "Building on the strong foundation developed by Mike and the board, Coleridge is uniquely positioned to help state and federal agencies securely break data silos to transform how the government serves people." An Accomplished Leader Thomson last served as President and CEO of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) for nearly 15 years. Previously, he was CFO for Business Sales at AT&T, where he worked for 23 years. His contributions to the fields of accounting and finance have earned him recognition on Accounting Today's "Top 100 Most Influential People List" for 14 consecutive years, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from Trust Across America/Trust Across the World. "Jeff brings precisely what Coleridge needs at this pivotal moment – a proven leadership in scaling organizations and deep, cross-sector expertise," said Ahu Yildirmaz, President and CEO of Coleridge. "His exceptional track record of driving innovation, coupled with his genuine passion for leveraging data to transform public policy, will be invaluable as we expand our impact." Outgoing Chair Holland added, "Jeff's unique combination of skills, experience, and passion for the Coleridge mission will ensure the organization's continued success." During his six years guiding the board, first as Treasurer and then as Chair, Holland helped lead Coleridge from a nascent startup into a well-established nonprofit organization with robust governance and operational structures. His leadership ensured sustainability and scalability while keeping the organization focused on its mission. "Mike Holland's steadfast dedication and visionary leadership have been pivotal to Coleridge's success," said Yildirmaz. "His ability to navigate critical growth phases have helped position us for continued impact. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for his invaluable service." Holland stated, "Serving as Chair of the Coleridge board has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished together and confident that Jeff's expertise and passion will propel the organization to even greater achievements." About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. The organization empowers agencies to enhance workforce data literacy and fosters collaboration across states to develop innovative technologies through secure data sharing. Its FedRAMP-authorized Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) enables agencies to link longitudinal data across states and organizations. Learn more at www.coleridgeinitiative.org.

07 Nov 2024

State IMPACT Collaborative Awardees Announcement

The Coleridge Initiative and MDRC are pleased to announce that three state agencies will be awarded funding and research support through the State IMPACT (Innovative Models for Policy Acceleration & Collaborative Testing) Collaborative. The Collaborative provides funding and research support to transform state policymaking by leveraging advanced data analytics and collaborative research to foster evidence-based decision-making and sustainable development. State IMPACT Collaborative Awarded Projects: Recidivism Reduction Initiative through Analysis: Led by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, this project aims to test the effectiveness of workforce training in correctional facilities on reducing barriers to reemployment following incarceration.  Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Enhancement Project: Led by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, in partnership with The Ohio State University, this project aims to test the effectiveness of expanding RESEA services to individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Unemployment Insurance  who are currently not being served by RESEA services. Improve Cross-Program Referrals: Led by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board, this project aims to test the effectiveness of different strategies for implementing cross-program referrals from workforce development services increasing enrollment in services. About the State IMPACT Collaborative The State IMPACT Collaborative is a project of MDRC and the Coleridge Initiative with support from Arnold Ventures. Over two years, the State IMPACT Collaborative consists of training and technical assistance to state agencies committed to using research and evaluation to advance economic mobility among individuals and families with low incomes. This collaborative will build on MDRC’s proven learning-by-doing approach to increasing state agencies' data analytic capacity and MDRC’s 50 years of experience carrying out high-quality rigorous evaluations. Awardees will utilize Coleridge Initiative’s renowned Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), which enables secure cross-agency and cross-state collaboration, and participate in a new Applied Data Analytics training program in partnership with the state of Arkansas that will include a new co-developed curriculum in evaluation methods. 

04 Nov 2024

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AWARDS COLERIDGE INITIATIVE UP TO $7.5 MILLION FOR SECURE DATA ENCLAVE SERVICES

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded the Coleridge Initiative a contract with a maximum potential value of $7.5 million over a five-year period to provide a secure data enclave service through Coleridge Initiative’s Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), a FedRAMP-authorized, cloud-based computational research platform.  This secure data enclave solution will make USDA data more accessible for researchers while protecting privacy and confidentiality. The solution will also enhance data stewardship capabilities by improving the ability of the USDA to manage data access requests, agreements, and reporting metrics.  The ADRF is a FedRAMP-authorized AWS GovCloud platform with a security architecture designed to meet federal government protections regarding confidentiality, integrity, provenance, and availability of government data. This platform will facilitate data analysis in economics, agriculture, and nutrition by research universities, NGOs, and government researchers. “This contract enables USDA employees and approved external users to securely collaborate and conduct research with restricted-access datasets,” said Dr. Ahu Yildirmaz, President and CEO of the Coleridge Initiative. “As  our collaboration grows, we remain committed to providing comprehensive services, including secure researcher access, advanced tools for data stewardship, and  scalable resourcesility. Our platform enables researchers to harness food scanning and consumer survey data to inform program decisions. Our team is dedicated to delivering the highest standards of service and security for our partners, enabling broader access to data and empowering its use for informed decision-making that serves the public good.”   About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc.   The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Coleridge provides agencies with the opportunity to enhance their data literacy and collaborate within and across states to develop new technologies through the secure access and sharing of confidential microdata. Coleridge provides secure data enclave services to a diverse range of clients, including 24 state government agencies and several federal agencies, through the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF). The ADRF is a FedRAMP-authorized cloud-based platform that enables government agencies to link their longitudinal data with other states and agencies. Learn more: www.coleridgeinitiative.org   ###

01 Oct 2024

Boost for Public Data Systems as Coleridge Initiative Scales Up Work

Growth Campaign to Support Major Strategic Goals

NEW YORK – The Coleridge Initiative is pleased to announce the expansion of its work with government agencies to leverage data to address complex issues, improve public decision-making, and improve the lives of students and workers across the country. To make this expansion possible, Coleridge is launching a $15 million fundraising campaign. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed to match the first $6 million of this campaign to strengthen Coleridge’s organizational capacity and accelerate growth to support the use of data to inform better policy.   To support government data systems, Coleridge provides a platform to securely link data within and across government agencies, and trains staff in data literacy, all while protecting privacy and ensuring data laws are followed. These systems help agencies track educational attainment, gain insights into the economic mobility of adult learners, and help ensure that educational programs are aligned and position students to succeed in today’s global economy.    With the launch of a major growth campaign and the support of additional data and infrastructure funders, Coleridge will be able to strengthen organizational capacity, sustain technological leadership, accelerate growth and impact, expand the reach of its services, and enhance training and product adoption.     “We have progressed from our successful initial stages of development to become a thriving and dynamic organization. Our operations have expanded significantly, demonstrating measurable impact,” said Ahu Yildirmaz, President and CEO of Coleridge Initiative. “This initiative will bolster our ability to utilize data in addressing complex challenges and driving evidence-based public decision-making.”   Currently, Coleridge offers a number of core programs to its government partners. Coleridge’s Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) is a secure, cloud-based environment that makes it possible for researchers to develop data models, allowing government agencies to review and analyze their K-12 and workforce data to answer key questions on student outcomes that were previously not possible.    The Democratizing Our Data Challenge (DDC) enables government agencies to scale and replicate data products, such as tools tracking state unemployment insurance statistics or dashboards tracking student outcomes from education to the workforce. The DDC builds a community of practice around the use of administrative data for the public good, where teams gain knowledge that can benefit other teams within their respective DDC cohorts. Through the Applied Data Analytics Training Program (ADA), Coleridge provides applied data analytics training to enhance the data literacy of government agency employees so that they can better use and understand their administrative data.   “This grant and our continued fundraising effort will allow us to expand these programs by reaching more states, offering more virtual, on-demand training opportunities, and strengthening our internal capacity to support the development of more innovative solutions, like the ADRF, for public data systems,” said Yildirmaz.     About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc.   The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Coleridge provides agencies with the opportunity to enhance their workforce data literacy and collaborate within and across states to develop new technologies through the secure access and sharing of confidential microdata. Coleridge’s secure data hosting platform, the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), is a FedRAMP-certified environment that enables government agencies to link their longitudinal data with other states and agencies. Learn more: www.coleridgeinitiative.org     

24 Jul 2024

Coleridge Initiative Welcomes New Board Member

NEW YORK – The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. announced that Nicole Ifill was elected to the Coleridge Initiative Board of Directors. Ifill complements the composition of the board with her wealth of expertise and knowledge in strengthening data infrastructures by improving the availability, quality, and use of data.  "I am thrilled to welcome Nicole Ifill to the Coleridge Initiative Board of Directors," said Dr. Michael Holland, Chair of the Coleridge Initiative Board of Directors. "Her wealth of expertise and experience ensuring data quality, availability, and use will undoubtedly strengthen the Coleridge mission."  “I am very excited to have Nicole join the Coleridge Board of Directors,” said Dr. Ahu Yildirmaz, President and CEO of the Coleridge Initiative. “She has been a long standing supporter of our mission and has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to building and strengthening a secure data infrastructure that can be used to support evidence-based decision-making.” Nicole Ifill is a Deputy Director on the U.S. Program Data strategy team at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation where she works to strengthen data infrastructure by improving the availability, quality, and use of data that connects educational attainment to workforce outcomes. She also oversees the team’s measurement, learning, and evaluation efforts. This work helps ensure that institutions, policymakers, and researchers have the information they need for data-driven decision-making and that learners can make informed decisions about their career paths. Nicole has devoted her career to addressing barriers to postsecondary education and issues surrounding persistence and attainment, especially for learners from low-income backgrounds. Before joining the foundation in 2017, she managed several data analysis projects at RTI International, including as analytic director of the 2012/17 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study and as project director of the annual data update of College Results Online, a web tool developed by the Education Trust that provides detailed institution-level data on student graduation rates and labor market outcomes to multiple stakeholders. Nicole has a master’s degree in statistics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a bachelor’s degree in political science-statistics from Columbia University. About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Coleridge provides agencies with the opportunity to enhance their workforce data literacy and collaborate within and across states to develop new technologies through the secure access and sharing of confidential microdata. Coleridge’s secure data hosting platform, the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), is a FedRAMP-authorized environment that enables government agencies to link their longitudinal data with other states and agencies. Learn more: www.coleridgeinitiative.org ###