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Michael Lopez

Work with me

I take on a small number of consulting engagements each year alongside my full-time role at the Child Poverty Action Lab. Low-to-medium scale projects, small enough that one person can do the whole thing well.

Open to a project or two. Let's see if we're a fit.

What I help with

Data strategy & analysis

I help orgs figure out what their data can actually answer, and turn it into decisions.

What this looks like

  • Turning a messy dataset into a clear answer
  • Analysis and data viz for a specific question
  • A data roadmap: what to build, measure, and prioritize

Good fit if

  • You have data but not the answers you need
  • You want an analysis done right, once
  • You need a plan before you hire or build a team

Data-forward tools & products

I build the tools, dashboards, and sites that put data into the hands of the people who use it.

What this looks like

  • Internal tools for non-technical staff (CRUD, lookup)
  • R Shiny dashboards and interactive data products
  • Astro / Preact sites and public data tools

Good fit if

  • You need a custom tool but lack in-house dev capacity
  • You want a public-facing data product for transparency
  • You need a thoughtful website for a small org or practice

Data infrastructure & stack

I help orgs build data infrastructure they can grow into.

What this looks like

  • Databricks (or similar) setup and migration
  • Pipeline architecture and ETL design
  • AI workflow integration

Good fit if

  • You're outgrowing file-based or fragmented tooling
  • You have data but no scalable way to manage it
  • You want to introduce AI tooling thoughtfully

How I work

Scope

Low-to-medium scale, typically a few weeks to a few months of part-time work. For larger projects, I can help you scope, plan, and find the right team for the job.

Schedule

I take on select consulting work outside my full-time role, usually one or two projects at a time. That keeps the focus high and the timeline honest, so we scope to what I can genuinely deliver.

Style

Every engagement starts with a free 30-minute call to understand the work and check fit. Then a written proposal with deliverables, timeline, and rate. I work iteratively and communicate frequently.

Rates

Flexible based on org type, scope, and budget. Happy to discuss what works for you.

Have a project in mind?

The fastest way to start is to email me with a brief description of the project, your timeline, and your budget range (if you have one). I usually respond within a couple of days.

Lopez Studio is my consulting practice, so michael@lopezstudio.dev is the right address for project inquiries.