Nico Punkar is a senior qualitative analyst with the Qualitative and Mixed Methods Core. He holds a Master of Public Administration from CU Denver, where he is currently earning a PhD in Public Affairs. His research uses primarily qualitative methods to examine the transgender protections advocacy coalition in Colorado. Nico has over a decade of experience in mixed methods evaluation, research, and assessment, with a career centered on the use of evidence to support organizational learning and foster equitable outcomes in the public sector. Before joining ACCORDS, Nico was a data analyst in the CU Boulder Division of Student Affairs, where they contributed data analysis to publications and dashboards highlighting student basic needs, sense of belonging and mattering among students, and best practices in equity-centered assessment. Prior to his time at CU Boulder, Nico worked with philanthropic and public sector clients to evaluate advocacy and direct service initiatives, working with organizations focused on public health, youth development, and movement building. In their free time, Nico enjoys live music, traveling, and spending time with their cat.