Danielle Gilmore, PhD, MPP, CHES, is an associate at Community Science, where she specializes in equity-informed evaluations aimed at systemic change. As a Certified Health Education Specialist, Dr. Gilmore has deep expertise in qualitative research methodologies, particularly phenomenology, and adeptly integrates the lived experiences of marginalized communities into policy and program development. She views education as a social system, aiming to uplift its role as a foundational social determinant of health. Her work emphasizes the intersectionality of education with other social systems, such as child welfare, focusing on improving individual and communal circumstances.

In her role with the Dalio Foundation’s Connecticut Opportunity Project, Dr. Gilmore played a crucial role in leading the qualitative analysis for the "Voices Unheard" study, which investigated the systemic barriers faced by young people disconnected from education and the workforce in Connecticut. She managed the complex data collection and analysis process using ATLAS.ti software, ensuring the insights derived were both rigorous and actionable.

Dr. Gilmore's leadership is profoundly demonstrated in her management of the Community Advisory Group (CAG). She has developed a sophisticated capacity-building framework for CAG members, equipping them with the tools necessary for effective participation in the research process and advocacy. Her efforts culminated in the CAG’s first major public engagement—the data walk—where members confidently co-presented findings alongside her, facilitating a strategic dialogue emphasizing the research's implications.

As a qualitative evaluation and research expert, Dr. Gilmore leads the development and implementation of Community Science's qualitative data analysis standards and guidelines. These have set a new benchmark in coder training materials and protocols, enabling project directors to plan and design projects through sensemaking. Her methodologies are rigorously designed and are trauma-informed and asset-based, centering on social-ecological frameworks.

Prior to joining Community Science, Dr. Gilmore gained extensive experience in various research and evaluative roles. As a Research and Evaluation Associate at Mirror Group, LLC, she led qualitative data collection and analysis initiatives. She further honed her expertise at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions, managing the multi-institutional Primetime Sister Circles program evaluation in collaboration with the Gaston and Porter Health Institute, American Institutes of Research, and Unity Health Care. Her unique skill set in capacity building, community engagement, social determinants of health, and policy advocacy positions her as a strategic engagement professional par excellence. She has a proven track record of influencing a diverse array of stakeholders, from governmental bodies to philanthropic organizations, guiding them toward implementing sustainable, informed, and equity-centered changes and policy development. Her work is a harmonious blend of technical rigor, community involvement, and an unwavering commitment to equity.

 Based in Washington, DC, Dr. Gilmore holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy and Administration, with a concentration in program evaluation, from George Washington University, a Master of Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University, and a Bachelor of Science in Community and Public Health from the University of Central Oklahoma. In her free time, Dr. Gilmore enjoys cooking, reading books, and playing golf.

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