About Amena

Amena Sengal has spent over a decade leading large-scale learning and evaluation initiatives across philanthropy and education.

Her work blends rigorous research with human-centered design — helping teams co-create solutions that honor both evidence and experience.

So whether is gathering 200+ educators across the nation to learn about math or its presenting on the newest research on participatory design at ASU+GSV, Amena stays true to her core belief that…

Learning isn’t just an outcome — it’s a practice- AND it should be fun and joyful!

And when I'm not thinking about education, impact, strategy and implementation you can find me planning travel, having a dance party with my two daughters, cooking elaborate dinner menus, and finding my next concert to attend.

  • I partner with philanthropic organizations, the teams they fund, and the education organizations they serve to turn research into strategy and strategy into results. Whether you need a sharper grantmaking approach, a way to measure what's working, or a skilled facilitator to bring people together, I bring the practitioner's eye and 14+ years of hands-on experience leading national initiatives.

  • Strategy for Funders & Grantees
    Shape grantmaking and investment strategy with user and field insights, develop theories of change, and align stakeholders around priorities.

    Evaluation & Measurement Design
    Build mixed-methods evaluation frameworks, KPIs, and efficacy measures that show what's working and guide what to do next.

    UX Research & Co-Design
    Run usability testing, feedback cycles, and co-design with educators, families, and children so products and programs fit how people actually learn and work.

    Implementation Research
    Test products and programs in real-world settings, manage testing sites, and translate findings into actionable roadmaps.

    Program & Grant Leadership
    Provide end-to-end management of grant-funded initiatives, including partner selection and RFP evaluation, contracting, budgeting, and team leadership.

    Facilitation, Convenings & Professional Development
    Design and lead convenings, trainings, and workshops for school, district, state, and funder audiences, so diverse perspectives become cohesive plans.

    • Foundations and philanthropic organizations

    • Grant-funded R&D projects and initiatives

    • Education nonprofits and research organizations

    • EdTech studios and developers

    • Early childhood programs

    • State and district agencies

    • Learning media studios

    1. Connect. We start with a conversation about your goals, challenges, and timeline.

    2. Scope. I propose a clear approach, deliverables, and budget tailored to your needs.

    3. Deliver. I work alongside your team, with regular check-ins and no surprises.

    4. Sustain. I hand off tools, frameworks, and learnings your team can keep using.

Get Started

Grounded in Insight. Guided by Learning.

To learn more about the kind of work I do, click here.

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Ready to talk?

f you're working on something where research, strategy, or facilitation could move the needle, I'd love to hear about it.

Fill out the information below and i'll be in touch soon!

In the meantime, check out this one-pager to learn more about how we might work together.