Meet the People Behind the Data!
Pacific Research and Evaluation is a team of seasoned professionals. We have earned a stellar reputation for balancing rigorous research and consulting services with a friendly, collaborative style. Drawing on a variety of educational backgrounds and professional experiences, PRE’s staff has the needed expertise to excel in all areas of applied research and consulting.
Steven Rider, Ph.D.
Founder and President
Kristi Manseth, Ph.D.
Vice President
Kristi Manseth, Ph.D., is the Vice President and Director of Research and Consulting at Pacific Research and Evaluation. She earned her doctorate in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Portland State University in 2009 and has been part of the PRE team for 14 years. Kristi leads the team’s strategic direction, external relationships, and business development. In addition, she serves as an internal thought partner to project teams, assisting with the design of evaluation, technical assistance, organizational consulting, and change management efforts. Kristi is Prosci certified and partners with Dr. Shalyn Stevens to lead PRE’s change management and organizational consulting services.
Kristi has conducted research and evaluation studies with a variety of organizations, including PK–12 and post-secondary education, nonprofit organizations, and federal agencies under PRE’s GSA contract. She is passionate about employee well-being, both as a researcher and a business leader. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading a good book, and spending time with family.
Regina Wheeler, M.A.
Senior Research Manager
Regina Wheeler, M.A., is a Senior Research Manager at Pacific
Research and Evaluation. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Educational
Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2011 and has been a
member of the PRE team for 14 years. Regina leads a team of researchers
at PRE by providing support and oversight on their projects, as well as
guidance on data collection, analysis, and reporting techniques. As a Project
Management Professional (PMP) certified in 2026 by the Project Management Institute
(PMI), Ms. Wheeler brings to her work at PRE expertise in leading
cross-functional initiatives, engaging stakeholders, managing risk, optimizing
resources, and delivering complex projects on time and within budget. Regina
has also managed projects in a variety of sectors at PRE; most notably, she has
extensive experience managing projects in higher education. In her free time,
Regina enjoys rooting for her favorite sports teams and being on the water.
Shalyn Stevens, Ph.D
Organizational Development Manager
Shalyn Stevens, Ph.D., is an Organizational Development Manager at Pacific Research and Evaluation. She earned her doctorate in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, with training in Occupational Health Psychology and advanced quantitative methods, from Colorado State University and has been part of the PRE team since 2022. Shalyn manages organizational performance consulting engagements, focusing on projects related to change management, strategic planning, employee listening, organizational assessments, and data dashboards. She is Prosci certified and partners with Dr. Kristi Manseth to design and deliver comprehensive change and organizational consulting services. Shalyn brings more than 10 years of experience working with clients from both the public and private sector to form collaborative partnerships, translate research findings into actionable insights, and improve worker and organizational outcomes. Outside of work, Shalyn enjoys being outdoors, reading a good mystery book, and traveling.
Taline Kuyumjian, M.A.
Senior Research Associate
Serena Chapman, M.A.
Research Associate 2
Serena Chapman, M.A., is a Research Associate II at Pacific Research and Evaluation. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Evaluation and Positive Organizational Psychology from Claremont Graduate University. She has been with the PRE team for over three years and has over nine years of experience evaluating a wide variety of programs in higher education, K-12 education, mental health, and more. Serena especially enjoys managing projects, conducting mixed-methods research, and using her keen eye for design to bring information to life through data visualizations, infographics, and reports. Outside of work, Serena loves taking her bike out for long rides, spending quality time with friends, and dreaming up her next travel adventure.
Sarah Northcutt, B.A.
Senior Research Assistant
Sarah Northcutt, B.A., is a Senior Research Assistant at Pacific Research and Evaluation. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Gender and Women’s Studies from Oklahoma State University in 2021. Sarah has been a member of PRE for two years, providing support through data collection, analysis, and reporting, for various projects within early childhood education, K-12, and higher education organizations. She is passionate about utilizing data to tell a story and inform decision making processes, as well as working towards enhancing equity across organizations. Outside of work, Sarah loves to bake cookies, read, catch up on her favorite Food Network shows, and go to yoga classes!
Maddie Bessler, M.P.H.
Senior Research Assistant
Maddie Bessler, M.P.H., is a Research Assistant at Pacific Research and Evaluation. She holds a Master of Public Health in Community Health Promotion from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology with a concentration in psychology from the University of Kansas. Maddie supports various projects through data collection, analysis, and reporting, with experience in piloting and evaluating programs in rural areas. She is passionate about health equity, global health, and qualitative research methodologies, and enjoys working on projects that involve community health and equity-focused collaboration. Outside of work, Maddie loves hiking with her dog, Rosie, reading, thrifting, and planning travel.
