Who We Are
Joy Kubarek, Ph.D.
Co-Founder/Partner
Joy (she/her) also brings more than 20 years of experience in science and environmental education. She holds a B.S. in Biology (University of Minnesota Twin Cities), an M.Ed. in Environmental Education (University of Minnesota Duluth), and a Ph.D. in Science Education (Illinois Institute of Technology). She established a department dedicated to the evaluation and research of learning programs at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois, and has facilitated evaluation capacity building with science and environmental learning organizations across the U.S. Joy has also taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Tufts University and Antioch University New England. She has served on a number of professional organizations including the National Association for Research in Science Teaching and the Association for Zoos and Aquariums. She has presented nationally and internationally about research in informal science education.
Brian Johnson, Ph.D.
Co-Founder/Partner
Brian (he/him) has spent the past three decades helping people connect with nature in ways that matter—and measuring what actually makes a difference. His work sits at the intersection of conservation, education, and evaluation, with a focus on turning good intentions into meaningful, lasting action. As former Director of Educational Research and Evaluation at the Wildlife Conservation Society, he led the evaluation unit across WCS’s New York City zoos and aquarium, guiding studies on informal STEM learning, exhibit experiences, and long-term youth outcomes. He has also led community-based environmental education at an urban nature center and managed national conservation education initiatives with Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Brian brings both curiosity and rigor to his work, and is especially energized by helping organizations use evaluation to design learning experiences that are equitable, evidence-based, and genuinely inspiring. Brian holds degrees from Northwestern University (B.S., Journalism), Lesley University (M.S., Environmental Education), and Antioch University New England (Ph.D., Environmental Studies).
Amanda Lindell, Ph.D.
Senior Researcher
Amanda (she/her) is a former high school science teacher and has worked in informal and formal science education for almost 20 years. She holds a B.S. in Marine Science and Biology (University of Miami), an M.S. in Secondary Science Education (CUNY - Lehman College), and a Ph.D. in Science and Agricultural Education (University of California, Davis). Previously, she oversaw teacher professional development, youth programming, and in-park interpretation at the Wildlife Conservation Society, which oversees four zoos and an aquarium in New York City. She recently completed her doctoral research focused on urban environmental education for middle and high school youth. Additionally, Amanda has supported science education research in K-12 settings in California.
DeDee Ludwig-Palit, M.S., M.Ed.
Researcher
DeDee has worked at the intersection of informal learning, science, and communication for over 25 years. She is a Ph.D. student in Technical Communication (Texas Tech University) studying the application of user-centered design within the context of informal learning environments. DeDee is the former Vice President of Public Engagement at the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. She has also held leadership roles in the education departments of the Museum of Science and Industry, the Adler Planetarium, and the Shedd Aquarium. She also holds an M.S. in User Experience (Arizona State University), an M.Ed. in Curriculum Studies (DePaul University), a B.A. in Anthropology and Communications (Purdue University), and a graduate certificate in Technical Communication (Arizona State University).
Alayna Schmidt, M.S.
Research Assistant
Alayna (she/they) has six years of experience as an environmental educator and two years of experience as an equity & inclusion consultant. They are a Ph.D. student in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management (Clemson University) studying social justice youth development and environmental education for critical consciousness. They hold an M.S. in Experiential and Outdoor Education (Western Carolina University) and a B.A. in Biological Sciences with a focus on Environmental Education and Park Interpretation (North Carolina State University). Previously, Alayna managed an award-winning zoo teen program, won grants from the Children & Nature Network to increase racially equitable access to nature, and established a team to analyze institutional policies through a social equity lens.
Our Collaborators
We deeply value our collaborators, whose specialized expertise and experience enrich our projects and strengthen the impact of our work.
Nick Visscher, M.S.
Nick is the Principal Owner of Spotlight Impact Data Design, an independent design consultancy based in Seattle, Washington. His greatest professional joy is helping organizations transform their data into visual stories through more effective data visualization, report, and presentation design. He has nearly 20 years of interdisciplinary experience working in cultural organizations like museums, zoos, aquariums, and in higher education. Nick is excited to be working with the Inform team in helping to craft beautiful and engaging visual reporting products for their clients and collaborators!
For design services and contacts check out Spotlight Impact or Follow Nick over on YouTube where he shares data design tips, tricks, and tutorials.
Stephanie Bohr, M.Ed.
Stephanie has worked in environmental education, evaluation, and community engagement for more than 20 years, with a focus on inclusion through community co-creation of innovative experiences in zoos and the outdoors. She is currently Director of Learning Programs & Partnerships at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA. She enjoys collaborating with Inform Evaluation & Research on trainings and dialogue to advance our field’s conversations and practices for meaningful inclusion in programming and evaluation.
Beth Maloney
Beth brings 25 years of experience in exhibition development, evaluation, informal learning, and community engagement across museums, historic sites, and cultural organizations. She is currently the Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, where she leads work in collections, exhibitions, interpretation, and institutional planning. Beth collaborates with Inform on projects that strengthen audience-centered decision-making.