Ponderosa Insights is a social policy consulting firm focused on implementation. Founded and led by Kate Lawyer, Ponderosa Insights partners with government agencies, nonprofits, and philanthropies to turn promising ideas into real results for children and families — bringing implementation science, human-centered design, and adaptive learning tools to the moments when good policy most needs to get off the ground. For more, check out our services.
Who we are
Kate is a policy leader and independent consultant with 15+ years of experience helping governments and their partners implement complex ideas in the real world. Through Ponderosa Insights, she works with governments, technical assistance organizations, and philanthropies to move bold ideas from paper to practice — improving outcomes for children and families.
Before launching Ponderosa Insights, Kate was a Director at the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab, where she led a team partnering with state and local governments to design and test approaches to strengthening social service delivery. Her work focused on making it easier for families — including those involved in the criminal justice system or navigating parental substance use — to connect to the prevention services and supports they need.
Previously, Kate was a Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Agricultural Development program, where she helped make and manage more than $250 million in grants and contracts focused on strengthening government capacity and supporting rural economies across Africa.
Kate earned her master’s degree from the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy & Governance concurrent with spending three years in West Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
She lives in Long Beach, CA with her spouse, two sons, and two cats. Outside of work she’s a manic hobbyist, with recent forays into rock climbing, biking, gardening, sewing, and video editing.
Meet Kate
Ponderosa Insights is a certified woman-owned business.
