When it comes to “painting” data onto a canvas that tells a story, Gretchen Pattison Armstrong is a master artist. 

Gretchen spearheads Connect the Dots’ operations and business analytics. She ensures that the “behind the scenes” client data are optimized to help everyone stay on track. She sets the stage beforehand, collecting and analyzing the data that allows Connect the Dots’ internal team to develop ideas that will help clients reach their goals.

Gretchen’s expertise in research and analysis aligns with Connect the Dots’ metrics-driven approach to consulting, which emphasizes collecting, analyzing, and presenting the data to demonstrate a return on investment. She uses her background in program evaluation to identify best practices, streamline organizational processes, and create objective measures for decision-making. Gretchen reinforces a commitment toward competitive analysis, ensuring that Connect the Dots talks to key influencers on a regular basis. She focuses on the big picture, and how the different activities fit into the broader goals at Connect the Dots.

Prior to working with Connect the Dots, Gretchen spent six years with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (the research arm of Congress) as a Senior Analyst with their Financial Markets and Community Investments team. During her tenure with the GAO, she conducted a variety of program evaluations, including an evaluation of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s human capital management and strategic workforce planning processes, and an assessment of public housing authorities’ use of program administration fees.

Gretchen earned a B.A. in sociology from the College of Wooster and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, where she specialized in the areas of Personnel Management and Nonprofit Management. Originally from Pennsylvania, Gretchen spent several years in Washington, D.C. before finding her home here in Columbus. She enjoys spending time in her garden, reading a variety of books, acrylic painting, and hiking.

Email Gretchen: gparmstrong@connectthedotsconsulting.com