Justin Baer

Overview

Justin Baer, PhD, joined Westat in June 2026 as Vice President and Practice Director for Education and Social Policy. He leads a multidisciplinary team of more than 150 staff members and oversees strategy, business development, project quality, financial performance, and talent management. In this capacity, he drives organizational growth, builds and strengthens client relationships, ensures high-quality project execution, and fosters staff development, innovation, and long-term professional success.

Baer has more than 20 years of experience directing research, evaluation, survey, and analytics projects across federal and state agencies. He has served in senior leadership roles at national research and consulting organizations where he guided large-scale studies in education, human services, and related policy areas.

Previously, Baer was Senior Vice President of Programs and Development at Coleridge. In this role, he strengthened federal and state partnerships while supporting the secure and effective use of administrative data. Earlier, he led Fors Marsh’s Program Evaluation and Policy Analysis practice, managing more than 60 staff members and expanding the practice’s work across multiple federal agencies to help meet client needs.

Baer has published widely and continues to contribute to the field as a recognized thought leader on evidence-based policy.

Education

• PhD, Sociology, University of Washington
• MA, Sociology, University of Washington
• BA, Sociology, George Washington University