We empower purpose-driven organizations to drive better outcomes and lasting impact through data-informed decisions, design, and strategy.

Theory of change

Our Vision

A world where purpose-driven programs achieve their fullest potential by focusing on evidence-based management and measurable outcomes that transform lives.

Our Approach

We empower organizations with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to shift from tracking outputs to managing for outcomes through evidence-based management practices.

Our 3 practice areas can be utilized by programs in flexible combinations as needed to drive better outcomes:

Data for Better Outcomes: We source, integrate, and mine data for insights
Design for Better Outcomes: We help deploy digital tools, communication channels, and marketing campaigns to drive behavior change
Strategy for Better Outcomes: We develop business strategies to structure and operationalize programs for success

Our Impact

By enabling organizations to embrace data-informed management and focus on outcomes, we help them improve the lives of individuals and communities they serve.

Meet the Board

James Wood

James Wood

As a managing director in Ernst & Young’s Family Enterprise Business Services practice, Jim focuses on effective governance, strategic planning, performance management, organizational alignment and revenue acceleration. He is a leader in business governance, growth and development of multigenerational family enterprises.

Jim authored the book, The Next Level: Essential Strategies for Breakthrough Growth (Perseus Press, 2000). He was previously Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for The Clemens Family Corporation (CFC), a leading food/agribusiness firm. Jim has served on various family-owned and publicly traded company boards of directors.

John Thompson

John Thompson

John Thompson is the Vice President for Financial Services Products at H&R Block. Prior to joining H&R Block, Thompson was the Chief Program Officer of Financial Health Network where he conceived and created a startup venture, Attune, that enables organizations to understand the financial health needs of their customers and employees.

John holds a degree in Computer Science from the University of Kansas and has worked at the intersection of technology, finance, and inclusion his entire career. Outside of work, he’s a music creator and sports lover. He lives in Kansas City with his wife Janette, their children Darby, Lillian, and Holland.

Anastasiya Ghosh

Anastasiya Ghosh

Anastasiya Ghosh is an expert in consumer judgment and decision-making, focusing on the financial industry, online retail, and healthcare. She collaborates with industry and non-profit partners to design behavioral and choice architecture interventions to improve stakeholders' outcomes and well-being.

Anastasiya's work has been published in leading academic journals and featured in the popular press. She has received awards for research, teaching, mentorship, and leadership. She received her Ph.D. in Marketing from Yale University and M.A. in Advertising from University of Texas at Austin.

Tim Leonard

Tim Leonard

Tim is the Vice President of Strategy & Development and the leader of the Data for Social Good initiative at Acxiom. He is focused on helping clients with strategy, innovation, and a data-driven approach to solving problems.

Tim has 20 years of experience working across industries as a leader in data, marketing/advertising technology, business intelligence, analytics and software product platforms. His Data for Social Good framework has scaled into a company-wide business resource group focused on helping various non-profits in need with the help of volunteer data experts.

Tim earned his Master of Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International & Public Affairs, and a BS in Business Administration/Marketing from the University of Hartford. Outside of work and volunteering, Tim loves sports activities, history, and exploring new places with the family. He lives in Tarrytown, NY with his wife Juliana, daughter Lila, and dog Lucy.

Our Leadership Team

Vibhat Nair

CEO

Vibhat Nair

CEO

Vibhat co-founded Magnolia to empower social missions with data, analytics, and digital capabilities to drive measurable impact. Previously, he was a Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where he held multiple leadership roles. He led teams managing P&Ls exceeding $100MM in revenue and spearheaded the development of JPMorgan’s first digital financial wellness experience, integrating consumer banking, lending, and wealth management. He was also on the leadership team that launched Ultimate Rewards, Chase’s flagship rewards program. Drawing from this experience, Vibhat brings deep expertise in general management, marketing and consumer behavior, customer loyalty management, and digital experience design – all applied with a strategic and analytical approach to advance social impact. Before JPMorgan, he was a consultant at McKinsey & Company. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Marilyn Harvey

Head of Product

Marilyn Harvey

Head of Product

Marilyn leads product development and serves as a consultant on client projects at Magnolia. Before joining Magnolia, she spent a decade leading Global Marketing and User Experience Research at The Vanguard Group, where she previously directed marketing strategy and advertising. Before Vanguard, she held marketing leadership roles at TV Guide, Macy’s, Caldor, and Today’s Man. Marilyn brings deep expertise in marketing, consumer insights, and user experience design to help Magnolia develop high-impact products. She also works directly with clients, applying human-centered design and communication strategies to advance and communicate social impact. In addition to her role at Magnolia, Marilyn serves as a lecturer at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She holds an MBA from St. Joseph’s University and a Green belt Six Sigma certification.

Roopa Seshadri

Head of Analytics

Roopa Seshadri

Head of Analytics

Roopa Seshadri, a quantitative social scientist with 25+ years of research, specializes in evaluating human services programs’ impact on minoritized populations. She leverages program, administrative, and public datasets to inform policy, strategy, and medical research, collaborating with academia, government, and community organizations. Previously, Roopa led evaluations at Philabundance and conducted research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Chapin Hall, and Lurie Children’s Hospital. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Statistics and an A.M. in Public Policy.

Santosh Kookal

Head of Growth

Santosh Kookal

Head of Growth

Santosh leads strategic growth efforts and serves as a consultant on client projects at Magnolia. Before joining Magnolia, he held senior leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies such as Intuitive Surgical, Danaher, and St. Jude Medical, where he led global teams in digital transformation, product innovation, and market expansion. Before this, he was a management consultant at McKinsey and Company. Santosh brings deep expertise in digital ecosystems, AI and machine learning applications, and strategy to help Magnolia develop the next frontier of innovation. He also works directly with clients, applying his expertise to transform customer experiences and internal processes to amplify their social impact. Santosh holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, an MA in Cognitive Psychology from Wesleyan University and an MSc in Mathematics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

Paul Burani

Head of Partnerships

Yoanita Soewono

Head of Operations

Yoanita Soewono

Head of Operations

Yoanita is a results-driven financial professional with over two decades of leadership in payments, lending strategy, and product innovation. With a proven track record at top institutions like Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase, she had led various successful high-impact initiatives, managed multi-billion-dollar portfolios, and developed data-driven strategies and customer experience that enhanced customer value and organizational performance.

Currently serving as Head of Operations, she is responsible for ensuring operational soundness and effectiveness of key initiatives by overseeing project management, resource planning and program development. Yoanita earned an M.S. in Finance and an MBA in Marketing from Drexel University, graduating magna cum laude, and holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Trisakti University in Indonesia.

Crisping Hallam

PA Partnership Lead

Crisping Hallam

PA Partnership Lead

Crispin has 25+ years of commercial experience leading sales, marketing and operations at GSK, a top 10 pharma company. For 3 years Crispin was an active member of GSK’s Charitable Contributions Board, directing over $2M in annual giving. Crispin served on the US Sales Leadership team, led brands with >$1Bn in revenue, and led a national sales team with >300 representatives. Crispin’s skills include Business Strategy, Platform Implementation and Change Management. He holds a B. Eng. from Imperial College, London and an MBA from Cranfield University, UK.