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Volume 1: April 1, 2021

Topics: Equity, COVID-19, Economy, and Innovative Technologies

Summit’s Data Scientists Develop
Flexible Tools to Meet Federal Clients’ Needs

As data scientists, we recognize that the skills needed—and software involved—to develop high-functioning tools are constantly shifting.

How do we do it? It starts with an agile methodology and constant communication. Read more from consultant Kyle Crane.

Newest Director: Sarah Cunningham

We’re excited to welcome Sarah Cunningham, an experienced leader with a demonstrated ability to solve problems, lead change, and innovate in the government sector. Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn.

Economist’s Corner
with Dr. Mark Hutson

Topic: The LIBOR Transition

Part 1:
SOFR, So Good

Why is LIBOR being discontinued, why is that important, and what is replacing it?

Part 2: Challenges Associated with SOFR

What are the issues surrounding SOFR, the primary replacement for LIBOR?

Part 3:
No SOFR for FHA

What are the implications for the reverse mortgage market not adopting SOFR?

Recent Highlights from the Summit Blog

How to Use Data to
Analyze Pay Equity

How can we know if pay inequities are attributable to race, gender, or age? Summit senior manager Corey West explains how we answer this question using regression modeling, predictive analytics, and statistical matching.

The Biden Plan: What Is the New First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit?

How will the Biden administration’s proposed first-time home buyer tax credit differ from the mortgage interest deduction? Senior analyst Jacob Trout walks us through it.

Summit Giving Back

Summit Staff Raise Funds for the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)

Starting on MLK Day and continuing through Black History Month, our staff-led philanthropy and DEI committees have been raising funds for the Equal Justice Initiative. They raised almost $5,000 in the first quarter of 2021.

Founding Partner Albert Lee, PhD, Joins Board of Trustees at Harvey Mudd College

Dr. Lee brings his years of professional experience in econometrics, statistics, and program evaluation with him.

Summit Commemorates
Women’s History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, Summit donated $1,000 each to three women’s shelters in the District we believe are doing great work:

A Statement from the Partners on the Recent Anti-Asian Violence

Summit’s mission is to help make government effective and society just. Therefore, we speak out against acts of injustice. Read our full statement.

To support the empowerment of Asian women, Summit donated $2,000 to NAPAWF: The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum.

Spotlight on Data Science

The Devil Is in the Data: Machine Learning and Data Governance

Why do modelers need to be extra cautious about data integrity?

How do data governance processes help mitigate risk? Read more.

#DCDataFest, Happening Virtually April 9–11, 2021

Summit and the University of Maryland’s Social Data Science Center (SoDa) are co-hosting the 2021 DC DataFest. Questions? Contact: dcdatafest@summitllc.us.

Summit Sponsors Virginia Tech Data Analytics Capstone Students

Highlights of our relationship with Virginia Tech’s Computational Modeling and Data Analytics program and its work with CMDA capstone students.

Podcast Highlights

Partner Anthony Curcio discusses WIFIA and its relevance to the COVID-19 economic recovery with John Ryan of InRecap.

Founder Albert Lee holds a panel discussion with Valligent Technologies on available models and valuation techniques to support default management.

Advancing Racial Equity Through Access to Capital and Impact Measurement

A Summit Blog Series

The Role of Impact Capital in Advancing Racial Equity

Senior financial consultant Hattie Brown talks about ESG and impact investing. She also spotlights how some organizations are working in the space.

Investing with Intention and Measuring Impact

What are the different approaches to deploying impact capital? Hear from leaders at two firms about the strategies and metrics they use to measure impact.

Opportunities in the Biden Administration

In the final post of the series, Hattie Brown looks at two priorities in the Biden administration’s Build Back Better plan: the Small Business Opportunity Fund and capitalizing CDFIs.