Words from Collaborators

Below are quotes from some of my collaborators across research, design, IT, and communication — partners who’ve shaped my work and seen it in action.

“Nola was absolutely essential…”

“I worked with Nola for about 8 years to build data visualization tools for a major Federal survey — the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey. We began with real time releases of important COVID related data and continued to build both data visualization tools and data discovery tools.

Nola was absolutely essential in designing and managing the teams within NORC as well as with our clients to make these tools a reality. For design concepts to technical implementation — Nola was vital to each step. This all occurred with a client in the Federal systems whose data visualizations at the time were rudimentary — it is important to note this because the task of conceptualization, technical build and launch also required a lot of coordination and client management.

Nola understands how to implement data visualization from idea to delivery — and that cannot be said of many people who work in this area. I highly recommend her to any team looking to make their data more accessible to users of all skill levels.”

— Felicia LeClere | Distinguished Senior Fellow at NORC, Retired | NORC at the University of Chicago

“Nola brings exceptional clarity and creativity to complex data.”

“I had the pleasure of collaborating with Nola, where we partnered on several data visualization projects and papers. Nola brings exceptional clarity and creativity to complex data, transforming analytic results into visual stories that resonate with diverse audiences. She is thoughtful, collaborative, and consistently elevates the quality of any project she touches. Her leadership in strengthening visualization practices have made a lasting impact, and she remains one of the most insightful and reliable colleagues I’ve worked with.”

— Edward Mulrow | Senior Vice President & Director, Retired | NORC at the University of Chicago

“…demonstrates both scientific rigor and elegant design.”

“Nola is that rare professional who combines deep methodological expertise with exceptional creative talent. Her work on complex research projects—from interactive dashboards to comprehensive website design—consistently demonstrates both scientific rigor and elegant design. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to collaborate with Nola and enthusiastically recommend her to anyone seeking a researcher and designer who delivers excellence while truly understanding client needs.”

— Karen Grigorian | Vice President & Director | NORC at the University of Chicago

“NORC’s award-winning designs are a testament to Nola’s work.”

“Nola was one of the key people—if not the key person—in building NORC’s data visualization capacity. NORC’s award-winning designs are a testament to Nola’s work. Nola’s efforts went beyond just providing advice or information products to individual projects.

Nola led corporation-wide efforts to develop educational materials on data visualization; templates that NORC staff could develop further for their projects; and NORC branded designs. Nola also facilitated a NORC-wide monthly series of “brown bag” discussions and demonstrations for NORC data visualization practitioners.

In the Data Dashboard for Postsecondary Success project for the Gates Foundation, Nola provided the main design advice and oversight to client-facing data dashboards. Nola developed excellent user documentation for Foundation staff. The Survey of Doctorate Recipients respondent Web site features Nola’s visualizations of key survey data to show potential survey respondents how the data they provide are used.

On two high-profile proposals to the National Science Foundation on which I worked, Nola’s design ideas and execution highlighted NORC’s capabilities in the limited space we were allowed. In one proposal that required an oral presentation, Nola’s design and infographics in the slide deck that accompanied the presentation were critical to presenting a winning bid. Since 2023, Nola and I were Co-Principal Investigators on an NSF grant that funded the creation of a prototype data dashboard for campus climate research. When the Principal Investigator on the project departed NORC, Nola stepped into the PI role and “landed” the project.

In my work with Nola, I have found her to be an excellent project manager who can coordinate the work of NORC team members and subcontractors as needed. Over the years, she improved her skills and knowledge, while expanding the range of data visualization techniques and software she uses.

I have found Nola to be extremely easy to work with, efficient in her planning and innovative in her design. Any organization would be fortunate to have Nola on its staff.”

— Lance A. Selfa | Principal Research Scientist | NORC at the University of Chicago

“Nola is brilliant.”

“I had the pleasure of working closely with Nola on multiple projects at NORC, including the expansion of our data visualization capabilities, creation of staff resources, and launch of NORC’s award-winning website. Nola is brilliant. She consistently demonstrates leadership and initiative, driving innovation in data visualization and client projects.

She’s proactive, communicative, and always willing to roll up her sleeves to get things done. Nola has been an invaluable partner, and I have learned so much from her guidance, ideas, and expertise. Any team would be lucky to work with her.”

— Fernando Agudelo | Sr. Communications Manager | NORC at the University of Chicago

“..a champion for cross-departmental collaboration.”

“She’s not only a skilled data visualization specialist but also a champion for cross-departmental collaboration. Her advocacy has helped bridge our teams and brought valuable opportunities for partnership. Nola is an engaged colleague who brings passion and energy to brainstorming sessions. She helps us all stay on top of the work with strong project management skills and is always game to learn new processes and systems.

I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Nola on several data visualization projects during my time at NORC, most recently the Chicago Public Safety DataHub. Nola brings invaluable expertise in helping teams identify the right visual displays for data, with a deep understanding of how people engage with complexity in data visualization. What I appreciate most about working with Nola is her open mind and willingness to evolve.

Our collaboration has moved us closer to realizing innovative product solutions that combine methodology, design, storytelling, and user experience. Any organization would be fortunate to have Nola’s expertise and collaborative spirit on their team.”

— J. Gordon Wright | Director, Strategic Communications | NORC at the University of Chicago

“…excels at weaving complex data into intuitive, engaging user experiences.”

“I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Nola on multiple web projects where her data visualizations truly brought our work to life. Not only is she one of the most skilled visualization specialists I’ve encountered, but she also excels at weaving complex data into intuitive, engaging user experiences. Nola’s deep expertise in statistical analysis, paired with her thoughtful, user-centric design philosophy, consistently results in dashboards and interactive graphics that feel effortless to navigate.

Beyond her technical talent, Nola is genuinely personable and receptive to feedback—she’s always willing to discuss ideas, refine concepts, and offer guidance. Whenever we encountered a challenge, she approached it with creativity and enthusiasm, ensuring each solution was both functional and visually compelling. I highly recommend Nola for any data visualization and research methodology needs; her work speaks for itself, and her collaborative spirit makes every project a joy to be part of.”

— John Burkholder | IT Manager | NORC at the University of Chicago

“Nola is a shining star…”

“Nola is a shining star when it comes to creating compelling visualizations that make it easier to understand the meaning behind the data NORC collects. She’s an avid mentor and champion of data visualization at NORC, and often conducts training sessions for our junior staff. While I worked at NORC as an internal communications staffer, I was always happy to help Nola promote her newest programs, because she made it so easy to work with her.”

— Jeanni Hall | Retired – Formerly Communications Manager, Internal Communications and Video Producer | NORC at the University of Chicago

“…good lead by example…”

“Nola practiced good lead by example behaviors when she established and led a data visualization learning community. The regular meetings were fun, informative and hands-on. Different points of view were welcomed. The events drew participation from across the organization and included people from different roles and exposure to the field. At the time, the craft of data visualization wasn’t a formal stand alone role for anyone.

The community met regularly and one activity was discussing a new visualization each meeting. Some participants would rework that visualization in advance so the group could compare options. There was no one right way rather pros and cons of different choices.

The focus on good process (framing the question, iteration and reflection) helped me improve my own work going forward on top of learning from the examples others shared.”

— Laura Lancheros | Project Manager | CACI International Inc.