November 2025

By Cachet Evans, ETB LEEAD Program Coordinator

This season I stepped into the role of Leaders in Equitable Evaluation and Diversity (LEEAD) Program Coordinator. My first major task was creating a product to celebrate the 10-Year Anniversary of the program. An entire decade of guiding emerging evaluators through culturally responsive and equitable evaluation (CREE) called for a meaningful way to highlight the program’s evolution. I chose to develop an interactive timeline that functions like a guided tour through LEEAD’s growth and impact, complete with photos and interviews from the Scholars, Mentors, and Alumni who make up the LEEAD community. 

We invited members of the community to participate in interviews and reflect on their experiences. We asked: 

• What does leading in evaluation mean to you? 

• What drew you to the LEEAD Program? 

• What were your experiences like with LEEAD and what impact did they have? 

• How have you used the information and connections gained through LEEAD? 

While reviewing the interviews, it became clear that the most valued resource people gained from LEEAD was the community itself. More than milestones or program components, people emphasized the importance of having a network of peers who share commitments to equity, learning, and mutual support. Many described how connections made within LEEAD continue to influence their work, strengthen their practice, and expand their professional relationships. 

As the field shifts and people navigate changing access to support and connection, the LEEAD community remains a consistent space for belonging, collaboration, and shared leadership. This anniversary highlights ten years of collective effort and reinforces the value of a community that grows together and contributes to a more inclusive evaluation ecosystem. 

An in-person version of the timeline was also designed and assembled for the ETB Gathering at AEA. Attendees walked along the display, saw themselves and peers in photos, and scanned QR codes linked directly to the interviews featured in the timeline. Experiencing the timeline together created moments of recognition, connection, and shared reflection that grounded the celebration in the people who shaped the past ten years.

The digital version of the interactive timeline (see below) offers a way to see the collective impact of the past ten years through the voices and contributions of the LEEAD community. It highlights how connection has shaped the program and how shared commitment continues to influence the field. I invite you to explore the timeline, reflect on the moments that resonate with you, and celebrate a decade of growth together.  

This celebration was made possible through the time, stories, and collaboration of LEEAD Liaisons, Mentors, Alumni, and Scholars. Thank you to everyone who responded to our outreach and helped bring the 10-Year Anniversary Timeline to life. 

Thank you to the ETB and LEEAD community for your continued participation, reflection, and commitment to advancing culturally responsive and equitable evaluation. Your engagement and support over the past decade have made this milestone possible. 

How to Engage With the Timeline 

The LEEAD digital timeline includes icons that indicate when media is available. Click on each box to explore what is inside. You can watch video reflections, view photos from across the program’s history, and read quotes shared by members of the LEEAD community. Move through the timeline at your own pace to engage with the moments that have shaped the past ten years.