Tracy Evans is the Founder and Principal of Cornerstone Solutions. She is an experienced CEO and keynote speaker, and the author of American Welfare: Reclaiming the Dream for All of U.S., a forward-looking examination of how Americans understand poverty and “welfare,” and why narrative change is essential to building systems that expand belonging, stability, and opportunity.
She approaches human services as democratic infrastructure—the practical supports that help communities thrive and strengthen the health of our democracy.
Internationally recognized for her expertise in the human services sector, Evans is a bridge builder and strategic collaborator who has worked with federal policymakers, state and local leaders, and community partners to modernize how public systems support children, families, and communities. She has testified before Congress and served on numerous national advisory committees and governing boards.
Evans speaks and writes on narrative change, adaptive leadership, public–private partnerships, public policy trends, and systems transformation. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Social Current and is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. She also co-hosted two seasons of Our Dream Deferred, which convenes “brilliant minds from unexpected places” to explore the forces that shape and distort American society.
Previously, Evans served for thirteen years as President and CEO of the American Public Human Services Association, leading its national network through major disruptions in the economy, public health, and governance while advancing reforms across child welfare, child care, food and nutrition supports, and economic mobility. She also served as a senior advisor to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on disaster response and long-term recovery, and as the director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Evans began her career as a litigator at Steptoe LLP and holds a BA in political science and a JD from the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law.
Speaking topics: narrative change; human services as democratic infrastructure; adaptive leadership in polarized times; cross-sector partnerships; systems redesign for fairness and belonging; leading through disruption.
Evans lives in Arlington, Virginia, with her husband, teenage son, and three dogs.