​Aftan Lynch is a Research Associate at Strategic Prevention Solutions. She is lifelong resident of Alaska. Aftan holds a master’s degree from the University of Colorado in public administration where she completed her capstone project by conducting primary research on resilience in the Kichx̱áan (Ketchikan) community. Aftan holds a certificate in children’s behavioral health and has previously helped coordinate child programming and services for children with special needs and those involved in the juvenile justice system. 

 

Her professional background includes sexual assault and domestic violence prevention at the local and state levels, coalition building, youth leadership, and health and wellness promotion. Aftan's expertise lies in creating data-driven community plans and needs assessments tailored to the specific needs and assets of the communities she serves. She is skilled in supporting teams conducting needs assessments and strategic planning, developing logic models, and creating asset maps through a strengths-based lens. 

 

At SPS, Aftan is committed to producing work that is rigorous, responsive, and rooted in the communities she serves. Aftan has developed evaluation plans and conducted program evaluations, translating findings into clear, actionable reports for a range of clients and stakeholders. She has experience with developmental evaluation approaches, supporting programs in real-time learning and adaptation. Aftan has also led landscape analyses to inform program design and outcomes development, and has developed e-learning courses to build organizational and community capacity. 

 

Aftan has been a member of the Alaska Wellness Coalition leadership team for the State of Alaska and has worked to support a statewide marketing project promoting positive youth behaviors. She embraces the concept that evaluation-led community efforts create the most meaningful and lasting results. 

 

When not working, Aftan embraces the beauty of her home, Lingít Aaní (the traditional Tlingit name for Southeast Alaska), by spending time outdoors running, boating, fishing, and exploring the stunning bays and inlets with her family.