The Value of Research:
Meeting the Demand for Data Driven Decision-making
More than ever in this era of COVID 19 valid, real time data is in critical demand to drive decisions that truly make a relevant impact. Continual research reduces the level of uncertainty for policy makers, funders, business managers and various other stakeholders by providing foundational data from which to base their decisions. Decision-making is a process and when developing and/or implementing strategies, four interrelated stages are involved: 1) Identifying problems or opportunities; 2) Diagnosing and assessing problems or opportunities; 3) Selecting and implementing a course of action and 4) Evaluating the course of action. https://www.zeepedia.com/read.php?introduction_definition_value_of_research_research_methods
SMU’s motto is "World Changers Shaped Here". What that means is their students are challenged to see how they can shape their world in order to make it a better place. The Hunt Institute specifically focuses or projects and faculty-lead research around the issues addressed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, it is the Institute’s goal that each project is connected to either an industry representative or an in-field partner. As interdisciplinary undergraduates and grad students engage in work in the Institute, they experience a paradigm shift as they participate in working to help shape the projects addressing one of the UNSDG's issues. The Moments that Matter project addresses decent work and economic growth, Goal #8. It also addresses Goal #5, Gender Equality. Working to support the national focus groups and to facilitate analyzing the data to create an online platform is inspirational work. It is our hope that the voice of the Veteran Women Business Owners national focus group participants will be represented in a useful interactive platform designed to advocate for them and their work.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas is invested in creating an inclusive regional economy. This is especially true in light of the pandemic, which has been especially disruptive for businesses that were already vulnerable to economic shocks. As part of this work, the most powerful tool we have at our disposal is gathering and sharing data, especially data that captures the everyday experience of people in our region. The Moments That Matter research project is one such example. Without the input of these business owners and others in our community, our work as a public-serving institution would be much more difficult.
Using research to assess client needs, marketing and industry trends is a valuable strategy that can help businesses minimize wasted time and resources. Join us for an in-depth discussion related to the ongoing demand for data driven decision making and how the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and SMU are supporting local and global research projects that support our rapidly changing economy.
MEET OUR SPEAKERS:
Corrie A. Harris, M.A. is the Assistant Director for the Hunter & Stephanie Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity in the Lyle School of Engineering at SMU where she manages the design, implementation, and growth of the Global Development Lab. Corrie has significant experience in operational excellence for organizations focused on poverty alleviation both locally and globally. She has also worked across various sectors, including academia, international government relations, non-profit organizations, entrepreneurial ventures, and for-profit institutions.
Most notably, Corrie was the Director of Villa Familia Nicaragua (VFN), an orphanage for children in crisis in Nicaragua. In this role she manages the day-to-day operations of the orphanage as well as all of its strategic programs. She founded a Coalition of Directors for collaboration. With the collective knowledge of the coalition she created an economic development strategy for retrofitting and expanding VFN. After which, she recruited nationally and internationally for implementation of development. It was highly successful and received the highest governmental recognition from the Department of Mi Familia as the standard by which all other centers for children in crisis should be modeled.
She has her M.A. from the Lyle in Sustainability and Development and an Honors B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from UT Arlington with concentrations in Economics, Sustainability, Management, and Cultural Studies. Her master's thesis is titled Resilient Sustainable Development: Localized Transformational Impact to Alleviate Poverty.
Anna Crockett is a Community Development Analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch. Since joining the Dallas Fed in 2018, Anna has conducted research and spoken publicly on a variety of topics, including small businesses, consumer credit, and reengaging young people in the workforce. Previously, she worked in the nonprofit sector in Austin, Texas. She has a master’s degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.
Moderator:
VR Small, is the founder and chief executive officer for the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center (VWEC), a national initiative launched in southern Dallas. VR testified for the original House Bill to make June 12, Women Veterans Day in Texas. This year, VR led the launched of the first annual statewide Women Veterans Day Pitch Competition highlighting the innovations and economic impact of current/potential women veteran entrepreneurs. VR serves on the Advisory Committee for TWU’s Center for Women Entrepreneurs and is a fellow of SMU’s Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity—Inclusive Economy, Dallas Public Voices, the Bush Institute Stand-to-Veteran Leadership Program and is featured in Dallas Innovates: The Future 50 North Texans. VR is the SBA’s DFW District 2020 Veteran Small Business Advocate of the Year and serves on the 30th Congressional District Veteran Advisory Committee.
In alignment with the VWEC’s mission, VR just completed phase one of the Moments That Matter Research Project exclusively focused on women veteran owned businesses in the DFW metroplex with the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank and has currently launched phase two with SMU’s Hunt Institute, Global Development Lab.
Most importantly, VR is a Navy Veteran, proud stepdaughter, and sister to U.S. Army Retired Vietnam & Iraq Veterans, respectively. Living her personal slogan “Changing the way we see the world and do business,” VR is a motivational speakers, moderator, educator and advocate specifically for women veteran as well as women and small businesses in general—driving social and economic change across our nation.