Melissa Wavelet, Senior Fellow in MDRC’s Center for Data Insights, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Association for Welfare Research and Statistics (NAWRS). NAWRS is a nonprofit association whose purpose is to promote the exchange of ideas about how research and statistical analysis can contribute to the development and administration of effective human services programs.

Over the past five years, Wavelet has led MDRC’s efforts to build the capacity of government and nonprofit agencies to use their data to improve services and participant outcomes in projects like the TANF Data Collaborative and the State IMPACT Collaborative. Earlier in her career, Wavelet held senior executive positions in human services agencies in Colorado and Wisconsin and in New York City’s workforce development agency.

“NAWRS is thrilled to welcome Melissa Wavelet to our Board of Directors,” said President-Elect Maggie Renno. “The NAWRS community will benefit from Melissa’s insight and expertise in using data to drive program improvement —a result of extensive experience as a public servant in both state and city government and in her work at MDRC supporting the growth and sustainment of analytics capacity in the human services space.”

"I am grateful to play this role at a time when the nation's public welfare program is undergoing fundamental changes,” said Wavelet. “I am excited about this opportunity to work alongside others inside and outside of government who are committed to improving human services programs for the families they serve.”

Wavelet's two-year term began October 1, 2024.