Who We Are
Our Team
Built by people who saw the system fail from the inside
We've spent decades running research in the field—collecting data in conflict zones, managing teams across 30+ countries, and watching insights get lost because the tools didn't exist to capture them. We built EFL because we believe every organization doing meaningful work deserves access to real measurement—not just the ones with six-figure budgets.
Scott Shadian
Founder and CEO
Scott is a social entrepreneur and field evaluation expert who focuses on social complexity, governance, stabilization, and communications. He is dedicated to addressing intricate social issues such as violent extremism, civil war, community violence, and disinformation, which he views as symptoms of larger, underlying drivers of change.
Ben Valentino
Director of AI for Social Impact
Benjamin Valentino is the Associate Dean for Social Sciences and Professor of Government at Dartmouth College. With over 25 years of experience studying violent conflict and public opinion around the world, his research draws on cutting-edge social scientific methods and technologies to forecast violence and assess ways to help prevent it.
Ahn Lee
Director of Research, Evaluation, & Learning
Former Research Manager at Sayara International. Methodologist and field researcher whose early concerns over institutional stagnation in conflict zones shifted her focus to team building and organizational strategy. She brings over a decade of experience working at the intersection of the public, private, and academic spheres.
Adam Kaplan
Director of Partnerships
With over 35 years of global experience, Adam has dedicated his career to driving development and social change at the intersection of government, civil society, and media. His work has supported hundreds of organizations to promote access to information, advance human dignity, and empower agency.
Jon Boeing
CTO
Leveraging 20+ years of mobility industry experience, Jon addresses the challenges posed by the escalating demands for devices, networks, and data worldwide. His expertise, honed through leadership roles at Rivian and Samsung, converges IoT with automotive, showcasing a deep understanding of digital platforms and a commitment to technological innovation.
Matthew Nolan
COO
Matthew is a senior technology executive with 15+ years in SaaS and critical infrastructure, showcasing a track record of successful leadership in business development, sales, and global expansion. As CEO and Founder of WorkbetterAi, he reached $1.2M MRR, and as Global VP at Zinier, he played a key role in a $90M series C $400M value round, expanding the company's global footprint.
Matt Gillespie
Director of Marketing & Design
Multidisciplinary designer/marketer/product manager with a knack for helping impact-oriented startups gain traction. Matt uses design thinking and product management methodologies to turn user insights into exceptional customer experiences that integrate with larger design, marketing, and branding strategies.
Samantha Alspaugh
Director of Sales Operations and Strategy
Samantha is a seasoned technology professional with 15 years of experience in sales, marketing, strategy, and operations. Her expertise spans both public and private sectors, encompassing the realms of telecommunications, connectivity, data management, and the broader business and corporate landscape.