Data systems and storytelling for mission-driven organizations.

Rooted Insights

Visible Change

Rooted Insights
Visible Change

Data systems and storytelling for mission-driven organizations.

Our Services

We design the systems that help organizations grow insight from the ground up — building structure, flow, understanding, and impact.

  • We design simple, right-sized systems that help you capture, organize, and use information with confidence. From spreadsheets to relational databases, we build the roots that keep your data ecosystem clear, connected, and ready to grow.

  • We bring order to complexity. We help teams design integrated systems and processes that align their tools with the way they actually work. Whether you’re untangling a growing tech stack or building shared infrastructure for learning, we make workflows clear, connected, and easy to sustain.

  • We turn data into understanding. Through thoughtful analysis and interpretation, we help you see the patterns beneath your initiatives—what’s working, why it matters, and where to focus next for meaningful impact.

  • We help you connect insight to opportunity. By aligning data, narrative, and strategy, we support teams in designing strong proposals, tracking results, and communicating impact with confidence.

Explore our work

About Understory

Our Approach

Hi, I’m Olivia Noel, a data strategist, systems builder, and storyteller helping mission-driven organizations turn complexity into clarity. I draw insight from data, build systems for learning, and craft stories that reflect real impact.

My approach combines expertise in data systems design, reporting, and organizational learning with a commitment to making data alive and accessible. I founded Understory to bring high-quality, human-centered data systems to mission-driven organizations and communities, where deep change grows quietly.

Read more about Understory

We help mission-driven organizations turn data into clarity — designing systems that connect insight to action, and stories to impact.

We help mission-driven organizations turn data into clarity — designing systems that connect insight to action, and stories to impact.

Let’s start a conversation

Deep change starts with meaningful conversation.
Share a bit about your work, and let’s explore what we can grow together.