About

Childress Gibson Research & Consulting (CGRC) is an independent research and advisory practice focused on data governance, research strategy, and the use of evidence in public and mission-driven decision-making.

We work with education systems, reentry organizations, nonprofits, and public-interest institutions navigating complex questions related to equity, access, accountability, and structural change. Our work is grounded in the belief that data and research are most powerful when they are governed well, designed with intention, and used to inform real decisions—not simply to satisfy reporting requirements.

Our approach emphasizes:

  • clarity over volume

  • governance over accumulation

  • interpretation over compliance

  • strategy over operations

We provide time-bound, senior-level advisory support, helping leaders align research and data practices with institutional values, ethical responsibility, and long-term goals.

A person sitting at a white table, using a laptop and writing in a notebook with a pink pencil. There is a glass of water on the table and a wooden chair in the background.
Professional woman with curly hair smiling in a business suit in an office setting with a city skyline in the background.

Dr. Deanna C. Childress
Founder & Chief Research Officer
Childress Gibson Research & Consulting

I am an applied sociologist and research strategist with more than 15 years of experience designing and leading education and social science research across higher education, K–12 systems, and community-based organizations. I help organizations clarify what data to collect, how to govern it well, and how to use research strategically to drive mission-aligned decisions.

My background includes senior leadership roles in institutional research, data governance, and research–practice partnerships, as well as extensive experience conducting mixed-methods research, advising executive teams, and translating complex findings for academic, policy, and public audiences.

Throughout my career, I have worked at the intersection of research, policy, and practice—supporting organizations that want to move beyond surface-level metrics toward data practices that are rigorous, ethical, and actionable.

Childress Gibson Research & Consulting reflects this orientation: independent, research-driven, and focused on strategy for structural change.

How We Work

We work best with organizations that:

  • are willing to ask hard questions

  • want clarity rather than cover

  • understand that better data does not automatically lead to better decisions

  • are ready to align evidence, values, and action

Our work is advisory and strategic by design. We do not provide operational data management, compliance reporting, or system-level data entry support.

Start a Conversation