Manzanita Data Strategies
Transforming complex data challenges into results — for governments, nonprofits, and social impact organizations working on what matters most.
Based in the Netherlands · Working globally
What I offer
From indicator development to evaluation design, I bring 18+ years of experience helping organizations collect, interpret and utilize their data to support mission-driven impact.
From inception to final report, I design and lead evaluations that generate findings you can actually use. Whether summative or formative, I bring rigor, clarity, and a deep understanding of what works in complex, real-world settings.
I build MEL frameworks and data systems that fit your context — not just a box-checking exercise. The goal is always to strengthen how your organization learns and makes decisions.
I design and implement mixed-methods research that answers the questions your organization actually needs answered — with clear, actionable findings for diverse audiences.
I help organizations navigate the human side of digital transformation — bridging strategy, systems, and people. Drawing on change management and business analysis principles, I support leadership and teams to align around new digital ways of working and build the capacity to make change stick. The goal isn't a new system — it's sustainably changing how people work.
I design and facilitate workshops, learning events, and collaborative processes that help teams move from data to insight to action — across languages, sectors, and cultures.
I translate complex findings into compelling, accessible narratives for diverse audiences — from government leadership to community stakeholders to international donors.
I support organizations to set clear direction, define what success looks like, and build in the learning loops to stay on course and adapt.
Hands-on experience with the full data lifecycle, including project management tools, data collection platforms, dashboards, and analytical workflows in low-resource and distributed settings.
Need experienced leadership without a full-time hire? I step in as a strategic project lead — managing teams, timelines, and deliverables across complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Right now
Conceptualized a research project and coordinating a volunteer research team to support a Rotterdam-based dialogue foundation in understanding the needs of citizens, nonprofits, and facilitators around dialogue programming in the city. Work includes survey design, interview guides, and synthesis of findings.
The person behind the work
Why Manzanita?
As a Californian with deep roots in the state, the manzanita is a plant I've always admired: drought-tolerant, fire-resistant, strong, and remarkably adaptable across California's diverse landscapes. I think about my work the same way — grounded in rigorous methods and proven approaches, but flexible enough to use the right tools for any context, in service of achieving results.
I'm Nena do Nascimento — a Brazilian-American data strategist and evaluator based in the Netherlands.
With over 15 years of experience working across government, international development, and civil society, I specialize in helping organizations make sense of their data, strengthen their learning systems, and communicate what they're achieving in the world.
What I bring isn't just technical expertise — it's an ability to work across different cultures, sectors, and perspectives. I've lived and worked in North America, South America, Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa, and I'm as comfortable facilitating a government data strategy session as I am designing a qualitative study in a low-resource setting.
I've always worked at the edges — between research and practice, between data systems and the humans that use them, between the communities being served and the organizations serving them. That's where transformational change can happen.
Track record
Led the first data and research strategy for an entire state government division, overseeing a team of 16 data analysts and data scientists across seven programs. Led the rapid deployment of an integrated reporting platform serving 800+ users across 48 California counties, transforming slow and inefficient processes and unlocking data-driven program improvements. Developed the Division's first program-wide report, built Tableau dashboards, and was instrumental in securing continued funding for key programs through data visualization and impact storytelling at 12 legislative hearings.
Designed and led MEL strategy for a $180 million USAID-funded digital health and HIV/AIDS data analytics initiative across 7+ countries. Mentored a global team of local staff, led cross-country learning collaborations, launched new country programs in Burundi and Eswatini, and led a cross-organizational learning collaborative that resulted in a journal supplement published in Oxford Open Digital Health. Led the semi-annual publication of 50-page donor reports emphasizing learning, innovation, and impact. Led development of the first suite of COVID-19 indicators for US government-funded work overseas.
Led mixed-methods evaluations across sub-Saharan Africa. Developed hundreds of indicators and monitoring tools for family, youth, and child wellbeing programs. Oversaw development of metrics and configuration of a novel DHIS-2 Tracker longitudinal reporting system tracking services for vulnerable families and children in a multi-million dollar project in the DRC. Facilitated learning and policy discussions with government officials, donors, and community leaders.
Executed research and evaluation projects in Mozambique and Uganda. Developed research protocols and data collection instruments in consultation with country stakeholders. Led qualitative data collection and analysis, produced findings reports, and trained field teams.
Supporting health programming in refugee communities in Jordan and post-conflict Mozambique. Program design, documentation, financial reporting, and research to inform program strategies.
West Africa Mission, Accra, 2007. Spearheaded study on employment multipliers for the West African Trade Hub. Assisted Government Accountability Office representatives in reviewing Ghana's export-readiness and USAID's assistance in preparing Ghana for export to the US.
Washington DC, 2011. Analyzed peacebuilding grant concept papers and advised on monitoring strengthening. Contributed to data analysis for an American Evaluation Society academic paper.
Washington DC, 2012. Evaluated the USAID-funded Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction and Prevention project (GHARP II), assessing effectiveness of capacity building of healthcare workers on PMTCT through in-country interviews and fieldwork. Facilitated roll-out of a results-based management framework to global field staff.
August 2011. Engaged with government, business, and nonprofit officials in Tokyo on international affairs and development cooperation. Researched and wrote a report on monitoring and evaluation policy in Japanese development activities.
University of Maryland, 2012. Led logic model review sessions and facilitated policy analysis topics for graduate students across a two-week intensive course.
Sectors
Country Experience
Angola · Bangladesh · Brazil · Burundi · Canada · DRC · Eswatini · Ghana · Guyana · Japan · Mozambique · Netherlands · South Africa · Tanzania · Uganda · USA · Zambia
Research & writing
Peer-Reviewed Publications
do Nascimento, N., Sichel, A., Waugaman, A., et al. Oxford Open Digital Health, Volume 2, Supplement 1, 2024. Lead facilitator of learning and research collaborative; lead writer.
Oxford Open Digital Health, Volume 2, Supplement 1, 2024.
Davis, A., Allen, Z., do Nascimento, N., Chapman, J., Donco, R., Velthausz, D. Global Health: Science and Practice, October 2020, 8(3):534–548.
Chapman, J., do Nascimento, N., Mandal, M. Global Health: Science and Practice, September 2019, 7(3):435–446. Qualitative lead researcher.
do Nascimento, N., Barker, C., Brodsky, I. AIDS Care, published online September 25, 2017. Lead researcher and writer.
Selected Evaluations & Assessments
Qualitative lead researcher. Methods: Qualitative Comparative Analysis, desk review, key informant interviews.
Activity and research lead. Methods: document review, individual and group interviews, facilitation of findings discussions with implementers.
do Nascimento, N., da Costa, A., Chapman, J. Qualitative research lead. Methods: focus group discussions.
Lead for all aspects of qualitative data collection. Methods: secondary data analysis, document review, Most Significant Change methodology.
Research team member involved in all aspects of study. Methods: mixed methods, key informant interviews, household-level questionnaire.
do Nascimento, N., & Joao, F. Research lead. Methods: document review, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, questionnaire.
Evaluations Overseen — California Department of Social Services
Overseen as Bureau Chief, Data Systems & Analysis. External evaluation of California's Bringing Families Home program, which provides housing support to foster care-involved families.
Overseen as Bureau Chief, Data Systems & Analysis. UCSF-led evaluation of California's Home Safe program, addressing homelessness prevention among older adults and adults with disabilities served by Adult Protective Services.
Learning, Facilitation & Conference Presentations
do Nascimento, N., Cannon, M., Ddumba-Nyanzi, I., Namisango, E. Lead presenter.
do Nascimento, N. Lead presenter, MEASURE Evaluation End of Phase III Conference, May 2014.
do Nascimento, N. Lead researcher.
do Nascimento, N., & Simbuyemba, M. Co-writer and researcher.
do Nascimento, N., & Simbuyemba, M. Co-writer and researcher.
Let's work together
Whether you're scoping a new evaluation, building a data system, or figuring out where to start — I'd love to hear about your work.
nena@manzanitadatastrategies.comBased in the Netherlands · Working globally