Devin Rydel Kelly is the Director of Data at the Foundation for Tacoma Students. His years of experience in social science and community organizing help him bridge the gaps between data analytics, social justice, and collective impact, all while centering racial and economic equity for Tacoma students.
The data team helps produce our annual Impact Report, maintains our data dashboards, administers our Expanded Learning Opportunity website, and works with staff and Collaborative Action Networks on using data and continuous improvement to inform intervention strategies. Devin also runs the “Data Capacity and Capability” workstream in our Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded Community Learning Fund (CLF) work.
Starting as a statewide youth organizer, Devin has over twenty years of leadership experience in community, labor, and environmental organizing in Washington and Idaho. He most recently spent six years as a researcher and organizer with Service Employees International Union Local 925, a Washington education union. While there, Devin researched, wrote, and spoke publicly on issues in education, labor, and economic justice. He also administered their database and helped run field organizing campaigns.
Devin received his Undergraduate and Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Washington, where his research focused on organizational theory, labor unions, and political economy. He taught as a Graduate Teaching Assistant on courses in labor, research methods, statistics, and theory.
In his free time, Devin works with local social justice organizations, DJs and produces music, and promotes music events. He also enjoys reading, local restaurants, his really weird cats, and avoiding getting in the way of his wife and stepchildren’s many, constant creative projects in the house and yard.
Reach out to Devin directly at dkelly@graduatetacoma.org if you have any questions related to data.
