About Us
A research-driven nonprofit connecting evidence and community impact.
About Us
A research-driven nonprofit connecting evidence and community impact.
Mission & Purpose
EQ-Lab Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing emotional, educational, and financial well-being through research, education, and community-based programs.
Our work is grounded in a commitment to generating and applying knowledge that strengthens families and communities, particularly within underserved and bilingual populations.
What We Do
EQ-Lab connects research and community practice.
Through an integrated model, we design and implement programs while generating insights that inform decision-making, strengthen organizations, and contribute to broader systems of knowledge.
This dual focus allows us to operate not only as a community-based organization, but also as a translational research partner.
Our Focus
Bilingual & Culturally Responsive Engagement
We work primarily with Spanish-speaking and underserved communities, ensuring accessibility and relevance.
Prevention-Oriented Approach
Prevention-Oriented Approach We focus on early, preventive interventions that strengthen long-term outcomes for children and families.
Research-Informed Practice
All programs are grounded in research and continuously refined through data and real-world insights.
Our Values
Integration
We address complex challenges by connecting emotional, educational, and financial dimensions of well-being.
Evidence & Rigor
We prioritize research-informed approaches and continuous learning.
Accessibility
We ensure that knowledge and programs are available in both English and Spanish.
Community-Centered Work
We design solutions that reflect the lived experiences of the communities we serve.
Our Team
EQ-Lab is led by a multidisciplinary team with experience in research, education, and community-based work.
Our team combines academic rigor with practical implementation, enabling us to design, execute, and evaluate programs in real-world contexts.
ANGÉLICA SÁNCHEZ, PHD (APPLIED ECONOMICS)
CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Angélica Sánchez is a bilingual educator and community-based researcher with over a decade of experience leading education and applied research initiatives across the United States, Europe, and Latin America. She has authored over 50 academic publications and was recognized by Poets & Quants as one of the Best 40 Under 40 Business Professors.
She currently serves at Wake Tech Community College and is the co-founder of EQ-Lab Foundation, where she leads research-driven initiatives that bridge academic knowledge with real-world community impact in collaboration with nonprofits, universities, and community organizations worldwide.
JOHN RODRIGUEZ, PHD (C) (APPLIED ECONOMICS)
CO-FOUNDER & RESEARCH FELLOW
John Rodriguez is a researcher and educator specializing in digital economics, and data analysis. He is currently a PhD candidate in Applied Economics, with a focus on applying quantitative methods to address real-world challenges and inform evidence-based decision-making.
He has contributed to academic research and collaborates on initiatives that bridge data, education, and community impact, supporting EQ-Lab’s mission to translate research into practical solutions.
JAN H. HÖFFLER, PHD (ECONOMICS)
SENIOR RRESEARCH FELLOW & ADVISOR
Jan H. Höffler is an economist and researcher specializing in empirical methods, replication, and transparency in the social sciences. He is a visiting professor at the Geneva Graduate Institute and the founder of ReplicationWiki.
He has taught at leading institutions including the University of Toronto, Nanjing Agricultural University, and the United Nations University. His work focuses on improving research reliability and advancing evidence-based practices across disciplines.
OLGA ROA, PHD (ENGINEERING)
SENIOR RESEARCHER
Olga Roa is a mechanical engineer with a PhD in Engineering and a Master’s degree in Numerical Analysis from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, UPC). She has extensive academic experience as a professor of mathematics, statistics, numerical analysis, and research methodology at Universidad Nacional Experimental del Táchira (UNET) in Venezuela, where she also served as Graduate Academic Coordinator from 1993 to 2022.
She has been a researcher at EQ-Lab, CIN-UEES, and the University of Guayaquil in Ecuador. Her work includes numerous academic publications, conference proceedings, books, and book chapters published with recognized academic publishers.
Research & Impact
Our work is grounded in research and strengthened through real-world application.