Resume

Sara Frost, Ph.D.

Professional Experience

The Life is Good Playmakers, Boston, MA

2023 – Present Associate Director of Evaluation and Learning

Secured IACET accreditation through an 18-month strategic initiative, establishing quality standards and a credentialing framework that enhanced organizational credibility and program value.
Led evaluation for specialized foster care pilot program serving caregivers, designing assessment approach, and measuring program outcomes.
Conducted comprehensive case study research demonstrating program effectiveness and impact.
Presented compelling data storytelling at two professional conferences, including poster presentations at NAEYC 2025 and Early Educators Leadership Conference 2025, showcasing program evaluation results.
Developed and presented data-driven reports using compelling visualizations and storytelling techniques to communicate program impact to stakeholders and funders.
Organized and led a team of 5 to host two successful 1-Day Conference Events (Playdate 2023 and Playdate 2024).
Leveraged AI tools, including ChatGPT and Gemini, to accelerate instructional design processes, using generative AI for learning objective development, assessment question creation, scenario-based content drafting, and course structure optimization.
Established scalable instructional design processes, templates, and standards across 30+ programs serving 2,500+ learners, creating a comprehensive toolkit that ensures consistent, high-quality learning experiences.
Headed mobile optimization initiative for learning program, collaborating closely with developers to ensure seamless user experience across devices, and facilitating app store launch process on Apple and Google Play.
Supervised and supported the professional growth of the Program and Events Coordinator.

2022 – 2023 Senior Manager of Evaluation & Learning

Collaborated on the design and development of a comprehensive 18-hour Playmaker University certification program, personally building 10+ interactive Storyline elements, including scenario-based learning, game mechanics, digital assessments, and multimedia components from February to June 2023.
Designed and implemented a pre/post evaluation model with a 6-week follow-up protocol to measure program effectiveness and sustained behavior change, establishing organizational evaluation standards.
Collaborated with organizational leadership on the development of the theory of change model, establishing a strategic framework for program design and impact measurement.
Conducted comprehensive research and evaluation of six learning management systems, creating mockups and facilitating stakeholder trials before recommending and implementing Docebo as the optimal platform for organizational needs.
Led platform configuration and structure design, establishing scalable workflows and technical infrastructure supporting 2,500+ users.
Developed and implemented a survey evaluation process to measure program efficacy and impact aligned with key strategic goals. Interpreted complex data and presented compelling data-informed reports to drive decision-making.
Built and maintained various KPI dashboards to track and measure engagement activities using Salesforce reporting features.
Partnered with Sr. Director of Program & Learning to operationalize a hybrid learning journey for participants and created distinct learning experiences for Playmaker University.
Infused updated evidence-based research into social-emotional learning training for educators.
Created compelling Articulate Storyline assets, graphics, and templates to support a vibrant and engaging learning experience for users.

2019 – 2022 Program Operations Manager

Analyzed, streamlined, and implemented a holistic Salesforce process that captured and leveraged leads and opportunities for the organization and improved relationship management.
Developed reporting tools and team dashboards in Salesforce to increase visibility and accountability and provide the organization with regularly shared results to understand trends and improve data-based decision-making.
Created and rolled out new communications structures, logistics practices, and tracking systems to support 25% growth and cut operations time in half.
Supported logistical delivery of programs to train thousands of childcare professionals each year.
Supported build-out, design, and implementation of an online training platform that delivers workshops for thousands of users.
Developed and validated three scales to measure factors related to optimism at work.

The Guild for Human Services, Waltham, MA

2015 – 2019 Quality Assurance Coordinator

Trained and supervised Quality Assurance Assistant in data entry and complex reporting.
Assured staff members provided a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment that encourages individual development.
Facilitated student teams in innovative problem-solving and decision-making, and mediated problems as they occurred.
Led a team of 7 individuals to revitalize training as part of an organization-wide improvement initiative. Together implemented competency-based teaching methods in all essential training across the agency.
Trained more than 400 employees annually in Crisis Prevention Institute’s Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, Red Cross CPR, First Aid, and AED, as well as in-house training.
Collaborated with the Director of Organizational and Staff Development to consistently improve the training curriculum to meet the diverse employee population’s needs.
Planned staff training and development days that enhanced and inspired improved employee performance.
Monitored student behavioral incidents and worked with student teams to reduce the likelihood of future disruptive episodes. In one instance, a student had 20+ behavioral incidents a day, leading to staff needing to utilize restraints. Under my guidance, the team’s collaborative efforts led to this student reducing behavioral incidents to near zero.
Implemented onboarding for incoming employees. On average, the agency welcomes more than 150 new hires annually.
Developed and implemented a plan to train staff on new regulations implemented in 2015 by the Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

2013 – 2015 Assistant Director of Admissions & Outreach

Served as brand ambassador at conferences, workshops, and other meetings.
Worked with key stakeholders and collaborative agencies to host a legislator day event where over 20 legislators and their representatives visited the agency to learn about programs.
Researched, customized, implemented, and acted as Salesforce system administrator for the agency.
Managed, implemented, and created all branding materials for The Guild for Human Services, including targeted campaigns to different stakeholder groups, like parents, school districts, and the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This campaign contributed to 22% increase in referrals.

2012 – 2013 Employment Services Specialist

Managed a caseload of 11 students who had intellectual disabilities and exhibited challenging behaviors, wrote and implemented Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals to help them increase their independence in the workplace.
Led and facilitated vocational classes for students; in this role, enhanced the agency’s vocational curriculum by creating new lessons and materials.

2010 – 2011 Assistant Residential Manager

Supervised 4 staff and ensured that they provided appropriate services for students.
Created and conducted group activities and community outings for all students at the residence.
Communicated essential information to parents to ensure quality care.
Collaborated with leaders to implement the Assistant Residential Manager Training Program as part of an organization-wide improvement initiative to create a “grow our own” program.

Hosmer Elementary, Watertown, MA

2011 – 2012 Junior Community Explorers Program Coordinator

Led and implemented an after-school pilot program for students with autism and behavior disorders.
Managed six employees, which included creating daily work schedules, supervising their professional development, and implementing behavior support plans for individuals with autism and behavior disorders.
Communicated with parents and guardians to support, advocate, and accommodate the needs of their students.

AmeriCorps NCCC, Pacific Region

2009 – 2010 Corps Member

Worked in a team-based program completing projects with various nonprofit organizations in different service areas, including housing, education, youth development, disaster recovery, and other human service needs.
Managed and coordinated more than 20 volunteers to complete various service projects.

Professional Presentations

Frost, S. (November 2025). Reigniting Joy: The Impact of Play-Infused Professional Development. Poster Presentation at NAEYC 2025, Orlando, Florida.
Frost, S. (October 2025). Play-Based Professional Development: Fostering Joy and Transforming Early Childhood Education. Poster Presentation at 2025 Early Educators Leadership Conference, Orlando, Florida.
Frost, S. (February 2022). Optimistic Leadership: Using optimism as a resource to fuel your nonprofit! Live Workshop presented at Elevate 2022: Reflect and Rebuild Virtual Conference.
Bilal, L., & Frost, S. (October 2021). The Glass is Half Full: Optimistically Leading Global Virtual Teams. Conference Presentation presented at the International Leadership Association Annual Conference, Geneva, Switzerland.
Frost, S. & Meehan, K. (October 2017). Einstein was right imagination is more important than knowledge. Workshop presented at the International Leadership Association Annual Conference, Brussels, Belgium.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership in Change (June 2021)
Graduate School of Leadership in Change, Antioch University, Yellow Springs, OH

Master of Arts in Leadership in Change (February 2019)
Graduate School of Leadership in Change, Antioch University, Yellow Springs, OH

Education Specialist in Education (February 2015)
School of Education, Bay Path University, Burlington, MA
Bay Path University Certificate in Autism Studies

Master of Science in Human Service Administration (December 2012)
Institute for Human Services and Public Policy, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, LA

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre (December 2008)
College of Visual Arts, Theatre, and Dance, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Certifications

Playmaker, Life is Good Kids Foundation
Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership
Third Degree Black Belt and Formerly Certified Taekwondo Instructor

Skills

Learning Design & Development:

Articulate Storyline and Articulate Rise (e-learning development)
Blended learning design (VILT, asynchronous, micro-learning)
Human-centered design and evidence-based instructional approaches
ADDIE and SAM methodologies
Scenario-based learning and gamification
Assessment design and curriculum development

Learning Platforms & Technology:

Docebo LMS (administration and configuration)
Thought Industries Learning Platform (administration)
Salesforce.com (proficient administrator)
SurveyMonkey (survey design and data collection)
Klaviyo (email marketing and automation)

Data Analysis & Evaluation:

SPSS (statistical analysis including paired t-tests, effect size calculations)
Program evaluation design and implementation
Learning analytics and KPI dashboard development
Data visualization and storytelling
Validated assessment instruments (MBI, STRS, Flourishing Scale)

AI & Emerging Technologies:

AI & Emerging Technologies:
Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini (content creation, learning objective development, assessment design)

Additional Technical Skills:

Microsoft Office Suite (Publisher, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook)
iMovie (video production and editing)
Web 2.0 technologies (blogs, social media, email marketing, RSS feeds)
Mobile app deployment (Apple App Store, Google Play)

Awards and Community Activities

Mulready Elementary Home and School Association, Communications Manager, 2025-Present
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, Troop Leader & New Leader Mentor, 2023-Present
The Cottage Children’s Center, Board Member, 2019-2023
Framingham Community Theater, Board Member 2015-2019
Amazing Things Box Office Volunteer, 2017-2018
Presidential Volunteer Service Award Recipient, 2010