Autumn McDonald
Overview
Autumn has more than 13 years of experience working with foundations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, school districts, and associations on strategy, program design, evaluation, and advocacy. She comes to FSG with state and national social sector experience, particularly in the field of education.
Role at FSG
Autumn is a part of the firm’s Education & Youth impact area and is involved in a range of strategy and evaluation projects. Her interests include education and youth, collective impact, creating shared value, and global development. Most recently Autumn has worked with the National Equity Project in development of strategic priorities and on the development of thinking around human capital and assessment of the education human talent landscape.
Before FSG
Prior to joining FSG, Autumn founded and consulted with Catalyst Education Consulting, serving clients such as the National Science Foundation, Achieve, Beyond 12, and NewSchools Venture Fund, among others. She has also managed project teams, directed national strategic initiatives, created and managed evaluation processes, and directed research and curriculum for organizations including Genesys Works, the American Institutes for Research, the Center for Reform of Schools Systems, and Teach for America.
Education
- Harvard University, Graduate School of Education, EdM
- Northwestern University, School of Education and Social Policy, MA, Learning Sciences
- Education Pioneers Fellow with NewSchools Venture Fund
- Stanford University, BA, Human Biology
Affiliations
- Marcus Foster Education Fund, Board Member
- Andrea Harvey Memorial Fund, Board Member
- AERA (American Educational Research Association)
- Net Impact
On Working at FSG
"This work is as important as it is complex. I was drawn to FSG because of the great opportunity to try to tackle these complex issues alongside passionate, talented, and dedicated colleagues and in partnership with visionary clients. I like the idea of partnering with inspiring organizational leaders to create and find solutions to pressing problems. I love collaborating to think and problem solve – to take a white board idea and see that idea, six months or a year later, not just be a report on a shelf, but change lives. I have this opportunity at FSG and feel honored to be a part of this work."