“You can’t always get what you want, but, if you try, sometimes, well, you just might find you get what you need.” – Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
Justin specializes in social indicators, demographic analysis, and return on investment studies. He is passionate about bringing methodological rigor and transparency to data-driven projects that inform policy. Justin joined Wilder in 2018.
Justin leads complex research initiatives with expertise in census data and social indicators to analyze population trends, economic patterns, and community conditions. He is the technical lead for Minnesota Compass, the state’s flagship indicators project. He develops social return on investment frameworks for community programs and has worked with organizations like Minnesota Independence College and Community to evaluate life skills programming for neurodivergent young adults. His work involves building data infrastructure that supports evidence-based decision-making.
He specializes in data science, full-stack web development, and research methodology, with proficiency in statistical programming languages including R, STATA, and SPSS, as well as Python, database design, and machine learning. Justin brings expertise in economic analysis, including cost-benefit analysis and program evaluation. He develops web applications and data systems that generate insights and amplify the impact of programs and policies.
Justin holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of New Mexico and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of St. Thomas.
Justin is also a regular contributor to the Minnesota Compass blog:
Higher COVID-19 death rates among Black Minnesotans
Which neighborhoods are at high risk for COVID-19?
Minnesota’s workforce shortage
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