Michelle Anderson-Draper: CE Success Story

Who is the Credentialed Evaluator (CE)?

Michelle Anderson-Draper is a partner in AndersonDraper Consulting in Edmonton, AB. She is a member of the CES AB-NWT Chapter and received her Credentialed Evaluator (CE) in February 2011. Michelle works as an external evaluator and conducts all aspects of evaluation from planning and data collection to managing evaluations and contracts. All of her consulting work is related to program evaluation. She has over 15 years of experience.

Michelle obtained a MA in Health Administration from the University of Ottawa and a MSc from the University of Alberta. Michelle is currently the Chair of the Edmonton Public School Board, elected to the Board of Trustees in 2013. The Board is responsible for three main areas: fiduciary; strategic and generative leadership.

What was the initial situation?

Michelle was the AB National Representative when Professional Designation Program was discussed, debated and approved by CES National Council. She was excited about the prospects of the credential and was in the first cohort of applicants to complete the professional designation process (PDP).  She was the Manager of Strategic Evaluation in Alberta Children and Youth Services at the time of application.

Why did the CE want the credential?

Michelle wanted the credential because she feels it gives legitimacy to the evaluator. It says “who is an evaluator” and “what competencies, education and experience they need to bring with them to their role.” Being a credentialed evaluator gives “credibility to the profession and the person in the role.”

What was/is the relationship of the credential to the CE’s work? 

When Michelle received her CE, she was the Manager of Strategic Evaluation in provincial government and the Chair of the Government of Alberta’s Evaluation and Assessment Network. The department saw the value of having a CE in the role of Manager of Strategic Evaluation.

As a consultant, Michelle conducts all aspects of evaluation.  She believes that the credential provides legitimacy to the evaluator. The credential provides her clients with a statement of her competence and expertise.  

What happened?

Because Michelle was one of the first to obtain her CE, it took a few months and some interaction with the CES Credentialing Board administration and reviewers. It was the first “test” of the system.

The process of collecting and writing examples was time intensive. However, the process was useful to focus on her strengths and to identify her further professional development needs.  She found the process beneficial.  

Michelle had support from her immediate supervisor in government to complete the application, to attend professional development events, and to provide verification of experience required for the application.

Results.

Michelle believes that the CE is a key achievement in her role as a program evaluator. She speaks to the credential in her work and in her professional life.

She manages a successful consulting firm.  Most of her clients are recurring, a situation she finds most satisfying.  They have confidence in her expertise.  She draws on her evaluation lens in her role as Chair of the Edmonton Public Schools. She drew attention to the CE as part of her profile for this elected position and uses her evaluation skills and experience to provide evidence to inform Board decisions.  

Michelle sees CES as a professional body and the CE as its credential. At the 2012 CES Annual General Meeting, the President introduced the first credentialed evaluators of which she was one. She felt proud to receive that recognition from her colleagues.