Expertise
Luminosa Research offers a comprehensive suite of services. We are experts at doing rigorous research, developing research-driven strategies, and implementing those strategies in nonprofit, for-profit, philanthropic, government, and academic settings. Our strengths include the rigor of our work, our collaborative spirit, and our expertise in research design and data analysis. Our services include:
- Strategic planning
- Implementation coaching
- Program evaluation
- Quantitative and qualitative research, including advanced methodologies and statistics
- Needs assessments
- Policy analysis and evaluation
Who We Are
Luminosa Research is made up of practitioners and consultants who help foundations, nonprofits, and other private and public entities achieve their unique goals.
LISA KERBER, PH.D.
Dr. Kerber is the founder and CEO of Luminosa. She does rigorous and thoughtful research to meet each client’s needs and budgets. Lisa designs both qualitative and quantitative studies and has experience analyzing all sorts of health-related and socioeconomic data. She excels at documenting research findings for diverse audiences. Recent projects have assessed community needs, helped to determine funding strategies for early childhood issues, and evaluated health-related pilot programs implemented by nonprofit organizations. Lisa earned an undergraduate degree in English literature and a master’s degree in Latin American Studies. Her PhD is in sociology and demography from the University of Texas at Austin.
AUTUMN FORD, M.A.
Autumn Ford, Research Consultant, recently completed the Applied Sociology Master’s Program at Texas State University. She has received training in quantitative and qualitative research methods, evaluation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has three years of experience in applied research. Ford’s evaluation projects have focused on early childhood policy, an early childhood intervention program, and a collaborative funding initiative to increase vaccines rates. Ford is also the Coalition Coordinator at Woollard Nichols & Associates, where she works with clients in the social sector helping them build strong support systems and networks to address various community challenges.
BECKY PASTNER, M.P.Aff.
Becky Pastner, Senior Strategy Consultant, works with clients to turn research insights into action. Through a deep understanding of organizational culture, strategic vision, and external context, Becky helps clients design adaptable strategies to achieve their mission. Before joining Luminosa Research, Becky served as Vice President of Evaluation and Strategic Learning at St. David’s Foundation. Becky earned her B.A. in political science from Haverford College and an M.P.Aff. from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, where she focused on health and social policy and earned a certificate in nonprofit studies. A graduate of Leadership Austin and the McBee Fellowship with the Austin Area Research Organization, Becky is pursuing a certificate in leadership coaching from Brown University. In addition to consulting, Becky teaches graduate students at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at UT-Austin. Her recent coursework focuses on nonprofit and philanthropic leadership.
COLIN PIERSON, M.A.
Colin Pierson, Senior Research Consultant, uses quantitative research and applied statistics to help clients understand their programs’ strengths, weaknesses, and future directions. His expertise includes managing and cleaning complex datasets and statistical analyses. Mr. Pierson’s recent collaborations include the implementation and evaluation of innovative health care models in clinics across Texas, a needs assessment for Texas veterans, and an evaluation of the Texas Information and Referral Network. In addition to consulting, Colin teaches courses in statistics and data analysis at Texas State University. Mr. Pierson has a master’s degree in sociology from Texas State University.
TONI WATT, PH.D.
Dr. Watt, Senior Research Consultant, is a professor and department chair of Sociology at Texas State University. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in research methodology. Her areas of expertise include program evaluation and advanced statistics. Recent projects have centered on mental and behavioral health, child welfare, and health disparities. She has numerous academic publications, and her work has been featured in the New York Times, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and other national and international media. Dr. Watt received the prestigious Pro Humanitate Literary Award, which is given to researchers who make a significant contribution to “best practice” in the field of child welfare. Toni has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a master’s in business administration. She received her PhD in sociology with an emphasis in demography at the University of Texas at Austin.
OTHER CONSULTANTS
Luminosa Research regularly partners with consultants and experts to provide specific knowledge, skills, and resources.
Clients
Luminosa researchers have led and collaborated on projects for the following organizations.
PRIVATE
- AGE of Central Texas
- Austin Children’s Museum
- Communities in Schools of Central Texas
- Community First Health Plans, Inc.
- DC Action
- Every Body Texas
- Family Eldercare
- Feeding Texas
- FloorBotics
- Frontera Strategy
- Health Policy Advocates
- Healthy Futures of Texas
- The Immunization Partnership
- Mental Health America of Greater Houston
- Nurse Family Partnership
- People’s Community Clinic
- Texas Hospital Association Foundation
- Wonders and Worries
PHILANTHROPIC
- David & Laura Merage Foundation
- George Foundation
- Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
- Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
- St. David’s Foundation
- TG Philanthropy/TG Public Benefits Program
- Thornburg Foundation
- Your Shot Texas-Equitable Vaccine Uptake Fund
PUBLIC
- Central Health
- Harris County Protective Services
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- Texas Parks and Wildlife
- Texas State University
- Texas Veterans’ Commission