Jonathan Jones is the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Practice Lead at Panorama Strategy. He partners with organizations to design practical, fit-for-purpose learning systems that place evidence and stakeholder voice at the center of strategic decision-making.
Jonathan’s work draws on appreciative inquiry - an approach that invites organizations and the communities they serve to reflect on moments of success, understand the conditions that made them possible, and define aspirations to guide future progress.
With more than 20 years of experience in the social impact sector, Jonathan has led research, evaluation, learning, and strategy initiatives across public health, education, agriculture, private sector growth, democracy and governance, and resilience. He has designed end-to-end MEL systems, overseen mixed-method evaluations in more than 25 countries, and translated rigorous evidence into clear, actionable insights for governments, philanthropies, and nonprofits. He has also led long-term MEL capacity strengthening efforts, equipping practitioners with practical tools and accessible approaches that build confidence and enthusiasm for learning.
Jonathan holds a PhD in Political Science and has taught graduate-level courses on monitoring and evaluation at Georgetown University and George Washington University. He is the former chair of the International and Cross Cultural Evaluation Thematic Interest Group at the American Evaluation Association and continues to teach workshops at the Association’s annual conference.
Outside of work, you can usually find Jonathan whitewater kayaking or cycling the trails around Washington, DC with his wife.