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Michael Lopez

Work with me

I take on a small number of consulting engagements each year alongside my full-time role at the Child Poverty Action Lab. Low-to-medium scale projects where I can deliver real impact.

Currently available. Let's see if we're a fit.

What I help with

Data team setup for nonprofits

I help nonprofits build their first or next data team.

What this looks like

  • Defining roles and team structure
  • Hiring strategy and interview design
  • Tooling stack selection (BI, GIS, AI, vendors)

Good fit if

  • You have 0–1 data people and want to scale
  • You've outgrown ad-hoc data work
  • You want someone who's built this before

Modern data stack & infrastructure

I help orgs build scalable data infrastructure they can grow into.

What this looks like

  • Databricks (or similar) setup and migration
  • Pipeline architecture and ETL design
  • AI workflow integration (Anthropic / Claude Enterprise)

Good fit if

  • You're outgrowing file-based or fragmented tooling
  • You have data but no scalable way to manage it
  • You want to introduce AI tooling thoughtfully

Data-forward tool & site development

I build the tools, dashboards, and sites that make data actionable.

What this looks like

  • Internal tools for non-technical staff (CRUD, lookup)
  • R Shiny dashboards and interactive data products
  • Astro / Preact sites and public data tools

Good fit if

  • You need a custom tool but lack in-house dev capacity
  • You want a public-facing data product for transparency
  • You need a thoughtful website for a small org or practice

How I work

Scope

Low-to-medium scale, typically a few weeks to a few months of part-time work. For larger projects, I can help you scope, plan, and find the right team for the job.

Schedule

I work alongside my full-time role, which means evenings and weekends. I'm thoughtful about not over-committing, usually one or two projects active at a time.

Style

Every engagement starts with a free 30-minute call to understand the work and check fit. Then a written proposal with deliverables, timeline, and rate. I work iteratively and communicate frequently.

Rates

Flexible based on org type, scope, and budget. Sliding scale for nonprofits and mission-aligned orgs. Happy to discuss what works for you.

Have a project in mind?

The fastest way to start is to email me with a brief description of the project, your timeline, and your budget range (if you have one). I usually respond within a couple of days.

Recruiters: I'm also open to conversations about full-time data leadership roles. Same email works.