About
Laura McReavy Hearnsberger, Ed.D.Hi. I’m Laura.
I am the Founder and Chief Data Strategist at Reflect Plan Do, where the motto is “No Single Number Tells Your Whole Story.”
The motto reflects an often-forgotten core truth: You cannot execute the mission without understanding the context.
I help organizations turn raw data into meaningful stories that impress funders, engage stakeholders, and move missions forward.
Curriculum Vitae
Laura McReavy Hearnsberger, Ed.D.
Contextual Data. Smarter Decisions. Healthier Revenue.
The Reflect-Plan-Do continuous improvement model is grounded in my research into systemic engagement and combines my expertise in learning systems, data analysis, and storytelling.
Experience
Founder & Chief Data Strategist, Reflect Plan Do
New Braunfels, TX, 2019
Lead analytics and decision-support work across sectors—The Texas Tribune, post-IPO startup, public education, policymakers, and a presidential campaign—consistently cutting time to answer to under five minutes; providing context to inform strategy; and creating mission-aligned reports to support revenue development.
Activities include building and maintaining operational data stores (ODS); managing vendors and subcontractors; collaborating with leaders to find sustainable, data-driven solutions; designing learning solutions; mastering new technology, including developing an AI bot and standards-based grading software; and solving every manner of problem imaginable, tech and otherwise.
Principal Intern
New Braunfels, TX, 2015
Obtained principal certification as part of continuous career growth.
Activities included shadowing veteran high school principal; serving as administrator on duty at school events; and designing and implementing district-wide training programs, including Tech Fest and NBISD New Teacher Academy.
Senior Manager of Data & Accountability
San Marcos CISD, San Marcos, TX, 2017
Reduced time to answer from weeks to seconds for various accountability systems by building custom ODS to support evergreen dashboards and ad hoc reporting.
Activities included collaborating with stakeholders to define needs, developing board presentations and web presence, training senior and executive level administrators, managing vendor relationships, daily tech huddles, and using analytics to predict accountability outcomes and identify learning program gaps.
Technology Curriculum Integration Specialist
New Braunfels ISD, New Braunfels, TX, 2010
Applied data and adult learning expertise to develop and continually optimize modern learning interventions and up-skilling plans that align with organizational goals.
Activities included developed and leading multi-phase employee development in support of a 1:1 technology implementation. The mission was a success; the program is still in place more than 10 years later.
Director of Innovative Programs, Data & Accountability
San Marcos CISD, San Marcos, TX, 2016
Generated significant cost savings for the district, preserving valuable budgetary resources that could be redirected toward supporting educational programs and personnel.
Activities included co-charing reboot of district technology committee, leading development of the San Marcos Instructional Model, managed instructional materials budget, directed media specialists and GT program.
Journalism and English Teacher
Austin and New Braunfels ISDs, 2003
Increased publication revenue and expanded student leadership through strategic planning and community engagement. Taught news, academic, and persuasive writing; design principles to enhance communication; and media law and ethics. Implemented 100% online access to all assignments and expectations for parents and students.
Skills
Data-Driven Learning & Development
Expertise connecting program outcomes to revenue strategies by supporting KPI development; streamlining data collection systems to surface blind spots; creating bespoke databases aligned to measurable objectives; establishing easy access to actionable insights; and delivering professional learning that builds capacity and fosters collaboration.
storytelling & stakeholder engagement
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with a proven ability to translate complex findings into compelling narratives that inform executive, board, and public audiences. Known for creating high-impact reports, development shareables, and internal tools that increase clarity, trust, and buy-in across teams.
Analytics
Accelerate decision-making by transforming raw data into strategic tools that support continuous improvement, including custom dashboards, audience-specific reports, and operational data stores. Fluent in Google BigQuery, Tableau, GA4, Cloud Console, Tag Manager, Search Console, SQL (SSMS), and SPSS to drive business intelligence.
Research & Policy Expertise
Conduct research and program evaluations that align initiatives with values to support strategic growth. Merge theoretical concepts and constructs with empirical data, enhancing the depth and applicability of research findings to real-world policy issues. Expertise in nonprofit systems, education and labor market data, organizational structures, and public policy.
Engaging KPI Development
Design evaluations, facilitate alignment analyses, and guide continuous improvement using the Reflect–Plan–Do cycle. Develop tools like the Org Type Quiz, Data Gap Audit, and Alignment Analysis to surface blind spots and connect program outcomes to revenue strategies.
Organizational Leadership
Conduct research and program evaluations that align initiatives with values to support strategic growth. Merge theoretical concepts and constructs with empirical data, enhancing the depth and applicability of research findings to real-world policy issues. Expertise in nonprofit systems, education and labor market data, organizational structures, and public policy.
Leadership & Service
Panelist at NWHM Event, Center for Global Partnerships & Learning, GSEP, 2025
American Access Institute Curriculum Team Leader since 2024
Officer and Board Member, Custom Coastal Outreach since 2024
Peer Reviewer for AERA Annual Meeting, 2023 & 2024
Founder of Engagement Culture Center, 2021
Co-founder of Gold Standard Grades, 2020
ESC XIII Curriculum Council, 2019
Effective Schools Framework Training, 2019
Member of Texas State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) since 2016
Education & Certifications
Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership
Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA, GPA: 4.0
Master of Education in Educational Technology Leadership
Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, GPA: 4.0
Bachelor of Arts in English with Minor in Mass Communication
Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, GPA: Impressive in the Wrong Way
Studied Spanish Abroad
Intensa, Barrio Escalante, San Jose, Costa Rica
Certified Principal and Teacher
Select Conferences & Publications
Adams, M. & Hearnsberger, L. McReavy. (2024, December 30). Texas 2024: The stories that most resonated with our readers [Newspaper article]. The Texas Tribune, Austin, TX, United States. https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/30/texas-tribune-2024-popular-stories/
Everitt, P., Carney, D. & Hearnsberger, L. McReavy. (2023, October 28-29). Countering false charter narratives [Conference panel]. Network for Public Education Action Conference, Washington, DC, United States. https://networkforpubliceducation.org/2023-conference/
Hearnsberger, L. McReavy. (2021). Does culture eat poverty for breakfast? Exploring the role of engagement for achievement in U.S. schools [Doctoral dissertation, Pepperdine University]. https://www.proquest.com/openview/2b0ad6850dd601b2450bb33ef4cd4bfe/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
Hearnsberger, L. McReavy. (2024, March 18-22). Engagement culture. [New Measures and Metrics in Education Workshop]. The 14th International Conference on Learning Analytics & Knowledge, Kyoto, Japan. https://charles-lang.github.io/measures-metrics-LAK24/
Hearnsberger, L. McReavy, Adams, M. & Chatmon, A. (2026, January 25-28). Winning the Race for Students: Turning Website Data into Enrollment Growth [Conference presentation, acepted]. Texas Association of School Administrators Midwinter. https://tasamidwinter.org/agenda/
Hearnsberger, L. McReavy. & Hyatt, L. (2023, May 4-5). Engagement culture: Driving growth in high-poverty school environments by shaping assumptions that constitute truth [Conference presentation]. 2023 AERA Annual Meeting. https://doi.org/10.3102/2008069
Neal, D. & Hearnsberger, L. McReavy. (2022, June 16-18). The truth will set us free: Epistemology to combat democratic backsliding [Poster presentation, accepted]. American Political Science Association (APSA) Teaching & Learning Symposium: Teaching Economic Inequality & Social Class, Washington, DC, United States. https://educate.apsanet.org/call-for-proposals-teaching-economic-inequality-and-social-class