Karen Hayward, M.A, CE 

Partner/Evaluator

 

Karen Hayward began her career in community-based research and evaluation over 25 years ago, while still attending graduate school. A part-time research assistant job stoked her interest in community-based research, and she thrived with the hands-on learning the position gave her. Her enthusiasm and passion for the work led to an offer for a full-time position at the university-based research centre, and to a career conducting research and evaluation. Now a Credentialed Evaluator through the Canadian Evaluation Society, Karen brings a passion for social justice, a wealth of experience in conducting community-based research, and a commitment to conducting quality work to all of her consulting projects. 

Karen Hayward

Karen’s formal training was in Community Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University. There she learned the values of empowerment, respect for human diversity, and social justice. Those values inform all of the projects in which Karen is involved, which have been incredibly diverse. Much of her work, though, has focused on children and families, inner-city and multicultural groups, as well as youth engagement projects. 

Karen has been involved in more than 50 evaluation projects in the areas of community development, health promotion and health services, and education and employment. Her strengths are her ability to understand a client’s needs and to work collaboratively with key stakeholders to design an evaluation that makes sense. Developing surveys that yield the information required, and conducting interviews and focus groups with diverse groups are more of Karen’s many skills that she brings to the table. She has managed large, multi-site research projects, as well as smaller-scale evaluations with grassroots organizations. She enjoys working with a range of organizations and people, and develops an easy rapport with staff, stakeholders, and participants. Karen was primary author on two separate toolkits, and has co-authored a book on a grassroots community development project.

Karen is a member of the Canadian Evaluation Society and continues to develop her skills and expertise via resources available through the CES. Karen has worked independently as an evaluation consultant for many years. Some highlights of Karen's independent work include:

  • Toolkit Writer. Hayward, K. (January 2015).  Community Child Minder Training: A Toolkit for Communities and Service Providers.  A partnership of: Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood Community Centre, Four Villages Community Health Centre, Parkdale Community Health Centre, and Parkdale Intercultural Association. 
  • Evaluation Consultant. The Teresa Group (2012 to present). Has worked with The Teresa Group for several years as an evaluation consultant on three of their programs – a tutoring program, a volunteer program, and a summer youth camp.  
  • Co-Principal Investigator/Evaluation Consultant. inREACH – Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council  (2012-2013). With Dr. Mark Pancer -- conducted a process and monitoring evaluation of inREACH, a gang prevention project in Waterloo Region. 
  • Toolkit Writer/Research Associate. Hayward, K., Loomis, C., Nelson, G., Pancer, M., & Peters, R. DeV. (2011). A toolkit for building better beginnings and better futures. Kingston, ON: Better Beginnings, Better Futures Research Coordination Unit.   (Link to the toolkit)
  • Site Researcher/Research Associate. Better Beginnings, Better Futures (1991-2013). Site researcher for one inner-city community site in the initial implementation phase (1991-1997).  Research associate for the “sustainability” report completed in 2004-2005. Co-wrote a book about one of the program sites, co-authored two articles, and wrote toolkit (see above). Project manager for the knowledge translation/dissemination of the toolkit across the country via workshops to communities and policy-makers.  (link to Partnerships for Prevention: The Story of the Highfield Community Enrichment Project)
  • Part-time staff (2002-2004). Consulting Researcher (2005-2011). Regent Park Community Health Centre/ Pathways to Education.  Researched outcomes of the program for the youth (absenteeism, credit accumulation, graduation rates), as well as impacts for the youth, parents and community.  
  • Co-investigator.  Poverty and Health Services Project, Centre for Health Promotion, University of Toronto. (2001-2002). This study sought to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that influence low income consumers' use of health and health-related services.  Responsible for conducting focus groups, analyzing qualitative data, and report writing (including four individual community reports, one overall Toronto report, and an Executive Summary).