Nathan Varnell

Nathan Varnell is a Policy and Research Analyst for Evidence Capacity with the Data Foundation. Nathan holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he currently resides, specializing in the intersection of program evaluation and social welfare in communities. Prior to his graduate studies, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Before joining the Data Foundation, Nathan gained diverse experience in the field auditing federal aviation programs at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, supporting public affairs and policy teams at the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, and working as congressional staff in the U.S. House of Representatives.

He is motivated by a belief that in the right hands, data and evidence can maximize the effectiveness of public interventions meeting the greatest needs in our communities and preparing them for future challenges. His data heroes are all of the individuals using data to shine light on the pervasive issues facing marginalized people everywhere.