Building on more than 30 years of experience, Public Policy Associates (PPA) has established itself as a nationally recognized leader in research, evaluation, and consulting. Our firm provides insightful, data-driven solutions by partnering with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, foundations, and private sector clients, all in service to our vision: Better Public Policy for a Better World.
PPA’s commitment to rigorous research and analysis helps inform critical policy decisions and drive positive change in local communities, demonstrating our collaborative approach to achieving client goals. This extensive history and dedication to evidence-based solutions have cemented PPA’s reputation as a trusted voice in the public policy landscape in Michigan and across the country.
“At PPA, we believe our greatest strength lies in the expertise of our staff. That’s why we are deeply committed to fostering an environment where our team members are empowered to become leaders in their fields, says Rob Fowler, PPA’s CEO. “By actively participating in and presenting at conferences, and by publishing research, our staff not only advance their professional growth but also share our collective knowledge and that of our clients with the broader policy community, cementing our role as a trusted voice in the field.”
OUR TEAM
Our team, comprising numerous Ph.D. researchers, is actively shaping policy discussions through presentations at leading conferences, national publications, and leadership roles in research organizations. All of PPA’s researchers have master’s degrees.
This year, PPA is making a substantial impact, with several staff members scheduled to present soon.
This fall, PPA will be well-represented at the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) Fall Research Conference in Seattle, Washington, by Colleen Graber and Rebecca Frausel, Ph.D., who are scheduled to deliver poster presentations on their research on child care subsidy policies in Michigan.
Veronica Worthington will be presenting at Evaluation 2025, hosted by the American Evaluation Association (AEA), in Kansas City, Missouri. She also serves as a co-chair for the Environmental Program Evaluation Topical Interest Group (TIG).
Maddie Thomas and Imani Burris, Ph.D., will represent PPA at the 14th Annual Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) Conference in Lansing, where they will share their research on enrollment disparities among male students in postsecondary education.
Earlier this year, Nancy McCrohan, Ph.D., and Gary Heidel presented “Essential and Creative Approaches for Actionable Data” at the 2025 Michigan Community Action (MCA) Summer Conference. And Meg Chamberlin, Ph.D., was a lead presenter at the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE) Summer Institute, an annual conference focused on special education leadership.
Anna Fischer was a featured speaker at a Town Hall meeting in August. Drawing on her extensive expertise in food systems and anti-hunger policy, she participated in a panel discussion focused on the growing need for charitable food, the impact of federal policy changes and SNAP cuts on food security, and the resulting economic effects on local communities.
At the 2025 Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics (SASE) conference in Montreal, Quebec, in July, Dan Quinn, Ph.D., presented new research on the landscape of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in Michigan as part of a panel presentation on inclusive community and economic development.
Beyond presentations, PPA’s staff also take on key leadership roles within professional organizations. Robb Burroughs is an elected member of the board of directors for the Michigan Association for Evaluation (MAE). Similarly, Dan Quinn currently serves as president of the Mid-Western Educational Research Association (MWERA) in 2025. These roles not only highlight the individual expertise of PPA staff but also create valuable opportunities for professional growth and leadership development within the firm.
PPA’s commitment to sharing its policy expertise extends to publications as well. The firm encourages staff to publish their work, further solidifying PPA’s reputation as a thought leader.
PPA’s strategic plan aims to create opportunities for all staff to actively share their knowledge and grow professionally, whether by presenting at a conference, taking on a leadership role, or contributing to a publication. By actively engaging with the policy community, PPA seeks to strengthen its brand and continue its mission of delivering high-quality research and evaluation services.
LEARN MORE
Curious to learn more about the talented staff at PPA and the national impact of our work? We invite you to explore the depth of our expertise and discover how PPA is driving positive change by visiting our website at http://www.publicpolicy.com or contacting Dr. Daniel Quinn, chief strategy officer, at dquinn@publicpolicy.com.