Meet the Team
Faculty
Michelle Shumate
Founding Director
Michelle Shumate is the Founding Director of the Network for Nonprofit and Social Impact, the Delaney Family University Research Professor, and Associate Faculty at the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University.
Michelle’s research focuses on how to design interorganizational networks to make the most social impact. She is the author of Networks for Social Impact. The National Science Foundation recognized her research with a CAREER award. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Army Research Office. Nonprofit Quarterly, Stanford Social Innovation, and the Conference board have featured her work. She has published over 50 peer reviewed articles.
Michelle holds a Ph.D. from the Annenberg School forCommunication at the University of Southern California and a Bachelor’s Degree from Pepperdine University. She offers workshops, consulting, and coaching through the Social Impact Network Consulting. She is also spouse to Michael, mom to Oliver and Alex, an avid backyard birdwatcher, and a mediocre tennis player.
Kate Cooper
Affiliated Faculty
Assistant Professor, DePaul University
Kate Cooper is an Assistant Professor at DePaul University. Her research interests include nonprofit and cross-sector collaboration in response to social problems as well as stakeholder participation in collective impact models. Kate’s research has appeared in Management Communication Quarterly and Communication Yearbook; her work also includes the development of the bona fide network perspective to explore collaborative networks convened around complex social problems. Kate holds an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a B.A. from Wheaton College.
Kate Cooper is an Assistant Professor at DePaul University. Her research interests include nonprofit and cross-sector collaboration in response to social problems as well as stakeholder participation in collective impact models. Kate’s research has appeared in Management Communication Quarterly and Communication Yearbook; her work also includes the development of the bona fide network perspective to explore collaborative networks convened around complex social problems. Kate holds an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a B.A. from Wheaton College.
Amy O'Connor
Affiliated Faculty
Associate Professor, University of Minesota
Amy O’Connor is an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota. She received her Ph.D. from the Brian Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University. O’Connor has published or presented over 30 research papers focusing on corporate social responsibility and the corporate society relationship. Her research focuses on the role of corporations in society, specifically the rights and responsibilities of corporations in the global commons. She is co-Principal Investigator of the nonprofit-corporate partnership project.
Amy O’Connor is an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota. She received her Ph.D. from the Brian Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University. O’Connor has published or presented over 30 research papers focusing on corporate social responsibility and the corporate society relationship. Her research focuses on the role of corporations in society, specifically the rights and responsibilities of corporations in the global commons. She is co-Principal Investigator of the nonprofit-corporate partnership project.
Research Team
Qiwen Zhang
Research Data Analyst
Master of Public Policy, University of Chicago
Qiwen Zhang is a Research Data Analyst at NNSI, specializing in data analysis and program evaluation while providing data-driven policy insights for health and human service stakeholders. She is passionate about using data analytical skills to identify trends and generate meaningful evidence that informs public policy and improves community wellbeing. Qiwen holds a B.A. in International Liberal Studies from Waseda University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago.
Qiwen Zhang is a Research Data Analyst at NNSI, specializing in data analysis and program evaluation while providing data-driven policy insights for health and human service stakeholders. She is passionate about using data analytical skills to identify trends and generate meaningful evidence that informs public policy and improves community wellbeing. Qiwen holds a B.A. in International Liberal Studies from Waseda University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago.
Marwa Tahboub
Graduate Research Assistant
Media, Technology, and Society Ph.D. Student, Northwestern University
Marwa Tahboub is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Media, Technology, and Society program. As a Research Assistant for NNSI, she has worked on projects studying veteran referral networks and individual help-seeking behaviors. Her research interests surround nonprofits, community organizations, and activism. She received her M.A. from Northwestern, in which her thesis explored how Muslim nonprofits engage in social movements in the United States. She holds a B.A. in Professional Communication and Psychology from the University of Michigan-Flint.
Marwa Tahboub is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Media, Technology, and Society program. As a Research Assistant for NNSI, she has worked on projects studying veteran referral networks and individual help-seeking behaviors. Her research interests surround nonprofits, community organizations, and activism. She received her M.A. from Northwestern, in which her thesis explored how Muslim nonprofits engage in social movements in the United States. She holds a B.A. in Professional Communication and Psychology from the University of Michigan-Flint.
Yeha Kim
Graduate Research Assistant
Media, Technology, and Society Ph.D. Student, Northwestern University
Yeha Kim is a Ph.D. candidate at Northwestern University’s Media, Technology, and Society program. He studies how communication shapes the interactions between individuals in need and the systems designed to support them. His work includes studies examining help-seeking journeys during material hardship, evaluations of the “take-up gap” in a social support program, and analyses of social care infrastructure and network resilience in referral systems.
Currently, Kim is working on a paper analyzing how navigation programs shape help-seeking experiences, comparing individuals with and without structured referral support. Before pursuing his doctorate, Kim worked at Publicis Groupe, where he developed global advertising campaigns for clients such as UNICEF, Samsung, and AB InBev.
Yeha Kim is a Ph.D. candidate at Northwestern University’s Media, Technology, and Society program. He studies how communication shapes the interactions between individuals in need and the systems designed to support them. His work includes studies examining help-seeking journeys during material hardship, evaluations of the “take-up gap” in a social support program, and analyses of social care infrastructure and network resilience in referral systems.
Currently, Kim is working on a paper analyzing how navigation programs shape help-seeking experiences, comparing individuals with and without structured referral support. Before pursuing his doctorate, Kim worked at Publicis Groupe, where he developed global advertising campaigns for clients such as UNICEF, Samsung, and AB InBev.
Cecilia Huang
Graduate Research Assistant
M.S. in Leadership for Creative Enterprises, Northwestern University
Xinmeng “Cecilia” Huang is a Research Assistant at NNSI, actively contributing to projects that examine the effectiveness of purpose-oriented networks under varying constraints. She is interested in advancing theories of network impact, including dynamics, effectiveness, and integration of technology. She has an interdisciplinary background in the nonprofit and finance sectors and holds an M.S. in Leadership for Creative Enterprises from Northwestern University’s School of Communication, with a minor in Entrepreneurship from the McCormick School of Engineering, as well as a B.A. in Drama from the University of Virginia.
Xinmeng “Cecilia” Huang is a Research Assistant at NNSI, actively contributing to projects that examine the effectiveness of purpose-oriented networks under varying constraints. She is interested in advancing theories of network impact, including dynamics, effectiveness, and integration of technology. She has an interdisciplinary background in the nonprofit and finance sectors and holds an M.S. in Leadership for Creative Enterprises from Northwestern University’s School of Communication, with a minor in Entrepreneurship from the McCormick School of Engineering, as well as a B.A. in Drama from the University of Virginia.
Tatum Thomas
Undergraduate Research Assistant
B.A. in Data Science and Global Health, Northwestern University
Tatum Thomas is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Data Science, Global Health and Economics. As a Research Assistant at NNSI, she has actively contributed to projects focusing on veteran referral networks, care trajectories, and predictive analytics. Whether it’s crafting literature reviews, performing data analysis, or conducting interviews with clients, she loves the lab’s collaborative and impact-driven environment. She is passionate about harnessing data analytics to drive social impact, aiming to enhance efficiency across the nonprofit sector.
Tatum Thomas is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Data Science, Global Health and Economics. As a Research Assistant at NNSI, she has actively contributed to projects focusing on veteran referral networks, care trajectories, and predictive analytics. Whether it’s crafting literature reviews, performing data analysis, or conducting interviews with clients, she loves the lab’s collaborative and impact-driven environment. She is passionate about harnessing data analytics to drive social impact, aiming to enhance efficiency across the nonprofit sector.
Yasmin Zainai
Undergraduate Research Assistant
B.S. in Learning and Organizational Change and Cognitive Science, Northwestern University
Yasmin Zaiani is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Learning and Organizational Change, Cognitive Science, and Business Institutions. As a Research Assistant at NNSI, she has contributed to projects focused on predictive analytics and improving outcomes for help-seekers. Through conducting literature reviews, investigating research, and carrying out interviews, she is interested in learning how policy can be leveraged to maximize social impact across organizations.
Yasmin Zaiani is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Learning and Organizational Change, Cognitive Science, and Business Institutions. As a Research Assistant at NNSI, she has contributed to projects focused on predictive analytics and improving outcomes for help-seekers. Through conducting literature reviews, investigating research, and carrying out interviews, she is interested in learning how policy can be leveraged to maximize social impact across organizations.
Janice Yoo
Undergraduate Research Assistant
B.A. in Political Science and Sociology, Northwestern University
Janice Yoo is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Political Science, Sociology, and Data Science. As a research assistant at NNSI, she has contributed to a range of projects, including predictive analytics for veterans’ referral networks, purpose-oriented network toolkits, and health and human service referral networks. Whether conducting literature reviews, coding in Dedoose, or cleaning data in R, she is passionate about advancing impactful research that enhances efficiency in the nonprofit sector and expands support for communities in need.
Janice Yoo is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Political Science, Sociology, and Data Science. As a research assistant at NNSI, she has contributed to a range of projects, including predictive analytics for veterans’ referral networks, purpose-oriented network toolkits, and health and human service referral networks. Whether conducting literature reviews, coding in Dedoose, or cleaning data in R, she is passionate about advancing impactful research that enhances efficiency in the nonprofit sector and expands support for communities in need.
Jezel Martinez
Undergraduate Research Assistant
B.S. in Journalism and Political Science, Northwestern University
Jezel Martinez is a third-year undergraduate student studying Political Science, Journalism and Spanish. As a Research Assistant at NNSI, she works on projects that examine the effectiveness of purpose-oriented networks under varying constraints. Her work includes international outreach, research, and Spanish-language communications.
Jezel Martinez is a third-year undergraduate student studying Political Science, Journalism and Spanish. As a Research Assistant at NNSI, she works on projects that examine the effectiveness of purpose-oriented networks under varying constraints. Her work includes international outreach, research, and Spanish-language communications.
Steven Xu
Undergraduate Research Assistant
B.S. in Communication Studies and Statistics, Northwestern University
Steven Xu is a first-year undergraduate at Northwestern University studying Statistics and Communication Studies, with additional interests in Data Science and Business. As a Research Assistant at NNSI, he contributes to projects analyzing nonprofit partnerships, referral systems, and community-impact networks. Passionate about nonprofit networks and organizational strategy, Steven is committed to using data, storytelling, and strategic communication to help organizations solve complex problems, particularly those that advance social impact and community well-being.
Steven Xu is a first-year undergraduate at Northwestern University studying Statistics and Communication Studies, with additional interests in Data Science and Business. As a Research Assistant at NNSI, he contributes to projects analyzing nonprofit partnerships, referral systems, and community-impact networks. Passionate about nonprofit networks and organizational strategy, Steven is committed to using data, storytelling, and strategic communication to help organizations solve complex problems, particularly those that advance social impact and community well-being.
Strategic Communication Team
Matilda Le
Strategic Communication Intern
B.S. in Communication Studies and Economics, Northwestern University
Matilda Le is a fourth-year undergraduate student double majoring in Communication Studies and Economics and minoring in Psychology Business Institutions. As one of NNSI’s Strategic Communication Interns, she writes blog posts featuring the latest research insights, designs the website interface, and creates graphics for social media. She is passionate about community initiatives related to education, sustainable development, and poverty and hopes to launch a social fund focusing on these areas in her home country – Vietnam.
Matilda Le is a fourth-year undergraduate student double majoring in Communication Studies and Economics and minoring in Psychology Business Institutions. As one of NNSI’s Strategic Communication Interns, she writes blog posts featuring the latest research insights, designs the website interface, and creates graphics for social media. She is passionate about community initiatives related to education, sustainable development, and poverty and hopes to launch a social fund focusing on these areas in her home country – Vietnam.
Courtney Kim
Strategic Communication Intern
B.A. in Psychology and Data Science, Northwestern University
Courtney Kim is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Psychology, Data Science, and Creative Writing. As a Strategic Communication intern at NNSI, she oversees the lab’s social media content, writes blog articles featuring NNSI’s original research, and organizes its monthly newsletter, Impact Insights. She is interested in exploring the dynamics of team collaboration and studying the processes through which effective change is implemented within and across organizations.
Courtney Kim is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Psychology, Data Science, and Creative Writing. As a Strategic Communication intern at NNSI, she oversees the lab’s social media content, writes blog articles featuring NNSI’s original research, and organizes its monthly newsletter, Impact Insights. She is interested in exploring the dynamics of team collaboration and studying the processes through which effective change is implemented within and across organizations.
Jenna Jeon
Strategic Communication Intern
B.S. in Communication Studies and Sociology, Northwestern University
Jenna Jeon is a third-year undergraduate student studying Communication Studies, Sociology, and Integrated Marketing Communications. As a Strategic Communication intern at NNSI, she writes blog articles featuring original NNSI research and develops social media campaigns to publicize NNSI’s current research and projects. She is interested in exploring how organizational communication can be best designed to create greater alignment amongst stakeholders.
Jenna Jeon is a third-year undergraduate student studying Communication Studies, Sociology, and Integrated Marketing Communications. As a Strategic Communication intern at NNSI, she writes blog articles featuring original NNSI research and develops social media campaigns to publicize NNSI’s current research and projects. She is interested in exploring how organizational communication can be best designed to create greater alignment amongst stakeholders.
Jade Young
Strategic Communication Intern
B.S. in Communication Studies, Northwestern University
Jade Young is a Communication Studies undergraduate student at Northwestern University with minors in Psychology and Data Science. As a Strategic Communications Intern for NNSI, she contributes to blog writing, resource updates, and newsletter content. Jade is particularly interested in how communication systems and infrastructure can be designed to maximize external impact for mission-driven organizations.
Jade Young is a Communication Studies undergraduate student at Northwestern University with minors in Psychology and Data Science. As a Strategic Communications Intern for NNSI, she contributes to blog writing, resource updates, and newsletter content. Jade is particularly interested in how communication systems and infrastructure can be designed to maximize external impact for mission-driven organizations.