The Understory team brings 20+ years of experience as researchers, writers, data analysts, program evaluators, and management consultants. Understory has a strong track record of transforming complex social justice concerns into effective, creative, and sustainable solutions.
In her consulting work, Sarah focuses on organizational strategy, program evaluation, policy analysis, and leadership coaching. Sarah has developed a policy platform and strategic plan for Her Justice; evaluated BRAC’s youth empowerment programming in Africa; and provided coaching services for new leaders.
Prior to founding Understory, Sarah held senior positions at leading international and U.S. NGOs. As a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, Sarah exposed the existence of hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits in the US--which became known as the rape kit backlog. Trained as a lawyer, Sarah authored reports on the death penalty, prison conditions, and violence against women and girls. As the Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Joyful Heart Foundation, Sarah led a national campaign to end the rape kit backlog, and to change the ways police and prosecutors investigate crimes of sexual violence. As the Director of Research at Everytown for Gun Safety, Sarah designed and oversaw the organization’s research strategy. Sarah began her career at the Innocence Project, drafting and advancing federal and state legislation to prevent wrongful convictions. Sarah is a graduate of Luther College and the Minnesota School of Law. She also attended Union Theological Seminary.
Nasir brings 15 years of experience in research, writing, strategy consulting, data analysis and visualization. He’s co-authored reports on child athlete abuse for Human Rights Watch, and the US local news crisis for PEN America; designed data dashboards for state and federal health agencies; and advised philanthropic donors on how best to advance their impact goals.
After graduating from Harvard College, Nasir started his career as a management consultant for Bain & Company, advising companies on brand, pricing, and acquisition strategies. Nasir then served as the Senior Manager for Research & Implementation at Everytown for Gun Safety, managing research projects on firearm suicide and mass shootings, and working with city and state authorities to improve the implementation of gun violence prevention laws.
Lily is an associate member of Understory’s team and has supported the organization’s research, events planning, writing, strategic consulting, and administrative work since 2025.
Lily holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Rights and English from Barnard College of Columbia University, where she graduated magna cum laude with departmental honors in 2025. Lily brings experience from roles with Jane’s Due Process through Collective Power for Reproductive Justice, the Children’s Law Center, the Housing Rights Initiative, and the Barnard College Writing Center.
