Staff Spotlights: Welcome Kieran and Cosette

Kieran Blizzard (they/them) | Manager

Current Root Cause Projects: 

• HOPE National Resource Center Framework Impact Measurement & Evaluation
• Capacity Building and Technical Assistance for State Street TA Grantees
• Zero To Three Facilitation

What was your path to Root Cause? 

After graduating from the University of Richmond, I worked in the Career Services Office at Boston College Law School where a mentor taught me the magic of data analysis and database administration. I then moved to Y2Y Network, a youth homelessness serving organization in Cambridge, MA, where I served as Data & Program Evaluation Manager, developing and implementing the organizational data strategy for continuous programmatic improvement. I am committed to leveraging the power of participatory evaluation methodologies and performance measurement to create programming responsive to the needs of communities served; I am thrilled to work with various organizations to achieve their social impact goals as a Manager with Root Cause.

Why did you choose to work in social impact?

I feel strongly that all people deserve access to safety, resources, and opportunities and I couldn’t imagine spending my time working towards any other goal.

Root Cause Mad Libs:

• I am passionate about…… affordable housing accessible to all, LGBTQ justice, the privacy and safety of overly policed and surveilled communities 
• Here’s what I’m currently reading, watching, or listening to……
• Books – Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fatphobia by Dr. Sabrina Strings; Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther by Craig Pittman; Automating Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish the Poor by Dr. Virgina Eubanks
• Podcasts – Maintenance Phase; This Land; Unfinished; TransLash
• TV – Schitt’s Creek; Kim’s Convenience; Superstore
• In my spare time, I like to…… create abstract art and play with my cat.
• In 10 years, this is the change I hope to see…… I hope to see increased access to quality of life, economic opportunities, and safety for the most marginalized. I am not sure where year 3 of the pandemic will lead us, but I certainly hope we will be able to safely gather and enjoy the in person benefits of being in community.

Cosette Fix (she/her) | Marketing & Communications Co-op

University and class year: Northeastern University, third-year undergraduate student

What was your path to Root Cause? 

I was so lucky to find a co-op at Root Cause through my school!

After looking at countless job postings on Northeastern’s job search portal, I came across the Marketing and Communications Co-op position at Root Cause and immediately knew it was the perfect role for me. It honestly seemed too good to be true! I really wanted to find a role in which I could enhance my marketing and graphic design skills simultaneously, and Root Cause allowed me to do that and more!

Why did you apply for this internship (social impact consulting/marketing + comms)? What are your professional goals?

After seeing how well my skills and interests aligned with the responsibilities of this role, I was already excited to apply. However, I was even more excited to apply after looking into what Root Cause does and learning more about their mission. As someone who deeply cares about social change, I was extremely impressed by all the work Root Cause is doing. The focus areas Root Cause addresses are all really important to me, and I was so happy to come across such a caring organization that works towards equity and creates social impact. I am beyond lucky to be on such an amazing team full of kind, caring, and intelligent individuals, and I truly couldn’t ask for a better first co-op experience.

In terms of my professional goals, I plan to do 1-2 more co-ops through Northeastern, which means I will graduate in Winter 2023 or Spring 2024 based on what I decide. I am still figuring out exactly what I want to do after I graduate, but I know I want to find a position in which I can explore the intersection of marketing and graphic design. I am staying open-minded for now and hope to have more direction after completing my degree and co-op experiences.

Root Cause Mad Libs:

• I am passionate about…. Gender equity, racial equity, and educational equity
• Currently reading, watching, or listening to…. I’m currently obsessing over the new seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race and Euphoria!
• In my spare time, I like to…. hike, journal, draw, paint, play tennis, and play video games (relaxing games like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley are my absolute favorites!)
• In 10 years, this is the change I hope to see…. I hope to see more acceptance and inclusion of all people, despite their race, gender, sexuality, or class.