Dakota Lyn Peterson

Dakota Lyn Peterson serves as a Research Associate at the GC-DWC, where she contributes to research initiatives across multiple projects, with a particular focus on monitoring, evaluation, and learning. She specializes in managing the full data life cycle, everything from data collection and analysis and visualization. 

Before joining GC-DWC, Dakota worked in the education sector, both in the classroom as a teacher and for nonprofit organizations as a data analyst and database manager. Her passion for early childhood development was ignited while volunteering in Quito, Ecuador. There, she taught English and Entrepreneurial Leadership to grades 2, 3, and 4.

Dakota earned bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Spanish Literature from Gonzaga University, followed by a Master of Global Affairs degree from the University of Notre Dame, where she received the Keough Family Fellowship. Currently, Dakota is pursuing a Master of Information Management at the University of Washington’s iSchool, furthering her expertise in data-driven solutions for education and development.

Dedicated to advancing access to quality education and empowering students worldwide, Dakota is committed to making a lasting impact through her work.