Dr. Sylvia Epps is the President of Decision Information Resources Inc. (DIR).  During her more than two decades at DIR, Dr. Epps has played a pivotal role in advancing research methodologies that expand the reach of data-driven insights to a broad range of populations, strengthening the quality and impact of evaluation efforts. Under her leadership, DIR has become a trusted partner for federal agencies, foundations, school districts, universities, and nonprofit organizations. Her expertise spans program evaluation, data analysis, and strategic research design—helping organizations generate insights that drive meaningful change.

Dr. Epps’ approach to research centers on using data-driven methodologies to examine complex societal issues, providing research-backed solutions that enhance programs and policies. She is committed to ensuring that research captures comprehensive and well-rounded insights, delivering actionable data to leaders working to improve outcomes for a broad range of populations. She has overseen major initiatives for clients such as the U.S. Departments of Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services, as well as private foundations like the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the George Kaiser Family Foundation. At the core of Dr. Epps’ work is a commitment to rigorous research and evaluation that strengthens programs, addresses societal challenges, and ensures that decision-makers have reliable, evidence-based information.

Dr. Epps’ academic background includes a doctorate in human development and family sciences from the University of Texas at Austin, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has further refined her expertise through specialized training programs, including those with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research at the University of Michigan. She has been recognized for her contributions to the field, receiving honors such as the Houston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” award and the Texas TRIO Association’s “2020 TRIO Achiever” distinction. She is also an Affiliate Researcher for the Center for Culturally Responsive Evaluation and Assessment (CREA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.