With more than 30 years of experience in research and evaluation, with an emphasis on understanding and promoting how communities and neighborhoods can work together to impact the well-being of young people.

Previously Rebecca was a Senior Research Associate at the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Youth Development. She also worked for nine years as a Senior Scientist at Search Institute. Rebecca has extensive experience in community based and driven participatory action research, youth engagement, service-learning and mentoring. Saito earned a Bachelor of Science in Adolescent Development at the University of Minnesota and a Master of Science in Social Science from the University of Chicago.