Webinar: Accountability & Impact at a Small Foundation
Foundations are increasingly asked to demonstrate impact, but for small organizations, traditional models of accountability are not always realistic or aligned with their values and ways of working.
In a recent webinar hosted by the Center for Evaluation Innovation, WomenStrong, grantee partner Mujeres Aliadas AC, and evaluation partner Ignited Word came together to share a grounded, real-world perspective on how accountability and evaluation can be approached differently. The conversation explored the design and learning journey behind WomenStrong’s most recent outcome evaluation, with a focus on setting goals, navigating power and relationships, and understanding impact over time.
Topics explored during the session included:
- How WomenStrong defines its role within a larger system
- What becomes possible—and what remains constrained—because of WomenStrong’s size as a small foundation
- How boards, partners, and internal teams can be brought into evolving conversations about accountability
- What it takes to ensure evaluation learning meaningfully returns to a foundation’s broader system
Panelists
- Amy Gregowski, Director of Learning, WomenStrong International
- Mara Steinhaus, Senior Learning Advisor, WomenStrong International
- Malaika Cheney-Coker, Founder and Principal, Ignited Word
- Lisel Lifshitz, Executive Director, Mujeres Aliadas AC
- Kayla Christopherson, Senior Associate, CEI
- AnnJanette Rosga, Deputy Director, CEI
Webinar recording & follow-up materials
You can find a synthesized version of the webinar transcript here.
You can find our panelists’ answers to the remaining audience questions here.
You can watch the webinar recording here. This webinar was recorded on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 11:00AM-12:15PM Pacific (1:00PM–2:15PM Central/2:00PM–3:15PM Eastern).
