Dr. Gabby L’Esperance is a researcher, evaluator, and strategic leader dedicated to advancing evidence-informed solutions that improve the lives of military-connected families. In her role as Vice President of Research & Evaluation, she oversees MFAN’s research agenda, organizational impact assessment efforts, and data and analytics strategy, guiding the development of insights that inform programs, partnerships, philanthropy, and national conversations surrounding military family well-being.
Gabby leads cross-functional efforts that integrate research, evaluation, and analytics to better understand the evolving experiences of service members, veterans, spouses, caregivers, and their families. Her work emphasizes methodological rigor, actionable insights, and translating complex data into meaningful strategies that strengthen support systems for military-connected communities.
Under her leadership, MFAN’s research and evaluation initiatives have helped convene stakeholders, shape organizational strategy, inform program development, and elevate the lived experiences of military families in discussions with nonprofit leaders, policymakers, funders, and military-serving organizations. She also oversees efforts to modernize MFAN’s data infrastructure and expand the organization’s ability to measure collective impact across the military family support ecosystem.
Gabby is a subject matter expert in military and veteran family research methods, military family well-being, food insecurity, financial readiness, whole health, program evaluation, and qualitative research methodologies. She frequently presents research findings and thought leadership to audiences across higher education, nonprofit, government, philanthropy, and military-serving sectors.
Dr. L’Esperance earned her doctorate in public administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, specializing in nonprofit management and qualitative research. She also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from James Madison University. In addition to her work at MFAN, Gabby teaches nonprofit management courses at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Gabby lives in Omaha with her husband, two children, and two dogs. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time outdoors with her family.
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