Mari Strand Cary

Mari Strand Cary is the Senior Lead for Research & Evaluation at aiEDU, where she leads impact measurement strategy. With colleagues and partners, she builds the evidence systems to figure out what's working and what needs to change for students and educators across the country. She believes that good research doesn't just measure progress; it drives it.

Her career has been shaped by a deep commitment to connecting rigorous evidence with real-world practice. After graduate work in child psychology at the University of Minnesota and a research stint at Carnegie Mellon, she spent over a decade at the University of Oregon leading more than $9 million in federally funded K–12 research. That work gave her a close-up view of the power of high-quality curricula, educational technology, and genuine partnerships with practitioners.

She's since led research and evaluation for community, nonprofit and philanthropic clients at the Institute for Child Success and as an independent consultant, helping foundations and direct service organizations understand and strengthen their programs. She continues to pursue some entrepreneurial ventures and incorporate AI chats and vibecoded tools in her personal and professional workflows. Mari is thrilled to be at aiEDU where she continues to learn about AI and gets to support positive AI use in educational settings.

Mari lives in Eugene, Oregon, where she recharges by hiking and camping on PNW beaches and mountains, swimming, reading, and spending time with her husband, two kids, dog, extended family and friends.