Sara Nienow

Sara Nienow, an applied economist in RTI’s Center for Applied Economics and Strategy, has more than 15 years of professional experience in economic analysis and program evaluation. Ms. Nienow works with clients to identify and measure economic impacts associated with new developments and industrial growth using input-output models. Other work focuses on assessing initiatives to fund and promote scientific innovation. She has experience in regional economic analysis, survey research, interview-based research, strategic planning, and performance evaluation.

Before joining RTI International in 2021, Ms. Nienow was a principal program evaluator for the North Carolina General Assembly. In this role, she led teams to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of state programs. Ms. Nienow performed cost-benefit analyses and input-output modeling for the North Carolina Department of Commerce and Department of Environment and Natural Resources before working for the General Assembly. 

Ms. Nienow is an author of the 2022 report The Global Health Sector’s Contributions to the Economy of North Carolina. This report collected and summarized socioeconomic data for for-profit, nonprofit, and academic institutions that work in the global health sector in North Carolina. Her other notable publications include The Economic Impact of AAMC Medical Schools and Teaching Hospitals; and The Global Health Sector’s Contributions to the Economy of Washington. Reports like these provide readers with contextual details, storytelling, and profiles of local organizations to convey deeper understanding about the importance of health services and systems, in addition to reporting standard economic impacts measures.

Ms. Nienow is skilled in IMPLAN, REMI,  SAS Enterprise Guide and Studio, ArcGIS, Tableau, Visio, Lightcast, PostgreSQL, and Alchemer. She holds an Associate Certificate in Business Administration from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. She is also a Certified Economic Research Professional (CERP).