Experience

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)

• United States
• International Trade and Development
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Policy Advisor

  • Aug 2020 - Present

  Washington, District of Columbia, United States Provide technical expertise on food security and trade-related issues across multilateral fora. Lead the United States’ engagement with the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and USDA’s engagement with the World Health Organization (WHO) and its regional bodies. Also support USDA’s work with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).



Peace Corps

• United States
• International Affairs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Public Health and Nutrition Specialist

  • May 2019 - Mar 2020

  Cuenca, Ecuador Led and developed team capacity for the local Ministry of Public Health in program design and data analysis for decision-making on projects targeting high rates of malnutrition and chronic diseases. Duties & Accomplishments: • Developed a Community Assessment Tool (CAT), collecting quantitative health data from more than 100 households in 22 parishes across the catchment area of the local Ministry of Public Health, resulting in a snapshot of public health priorities for local… Show more Led and developed team capacity for the local Ministry of Public Health in program design and data analysis for decision-making on projects targeting high rates of malnutrition and chronic diseases. Duties & Accomplishments: • Developed a Community Assessment Tool (CAT), collecting quantitative health data from more than 100 households in 22 parishes across the catchment area of the local Ministry of Public Health, resulting in a snapshot of public health priorities for local public health personnel and forming the basis for the formation of a health club • Created a monthly health club (Club Saludable), targeting >100 caretakers in low-income areas with social and behavior change (SBC) best practices related to WASH, nutrition, physical activity, and chronic diseases • Collaborated with the local Ministry of Agriculture to develop a basket of nutrient-rich foods resulting in the development of an end-market for rural, small-holder farmers and additional income-generation, as well as improved diets of urban residents • Completed a Peace Corps Partnership Program grant proposal ($9,364.90), “Mi Primera Nutrición”, targeting high rates of stunting and wasting amongst 75 malnourished Venezuelan refugee infants through a multisectoral nutrition education, food transfer, and WASH pilot program • Devised pre and post Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) and Food Frequency surveys to evaluate the success of the Venezuelan malnutrition pilot program • Supervised rural site visits for an emergency medical program, performing health surveys and retrieving health data from dozens of families in order to link them with ambulatory services in the case of a medical emergency • Wrote the project framework and collaborated with local universities and Ministry of Public Health on the analysis of the National Institute of Statistics and Census data in order to develop a comprehensive public health report Show less



The Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness at George Washington University

• Policy Analyst

  • Aug 2017 - Apr 2019

  Washington D.C. Metro Area The Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness resides in George Washington University’s School of Public Health. The Center focuses on improving health outcomes and reducing health inequities in DC, as well as advocating for federal government reforms that will lead to healthier community environments across the US. As a Policy Analyst, my responsibilities included policy analysis, program coordination, and background research on issues relating to nutrition and community… Show more The Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness resides in George Washington University’s School of Public Health. The Center focuses on improving health outcomes and reducing health inequities in DC, as well as advocating for federal government reforms that will lead to healthier community environments across the US. As a Policy Analyst, my responsibilities included policy analysis, program coordination, and background research on issues relating to nutrition and community health. Duties & Accomplishments: • Developed a policy framework and cost-benefit analysis for a program targeting >900 chronically ill Medicaid beneficiaries for a food transfer, Medically Tailored Meals (MTMs), improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare expenditures by at least $4.2 million • Conducted comprehensive desk reviews of federal nutrition assistance programs (SNAP, WIC) for the development of concise memos for advocacy efforts • Led advocacy efforts at meetings on The Hill and at DC City Council on securing appropriations and legislative support for obesity prevention and treatment initiatives, school lunch programs, and school physical activity standards • Provided data cleaning and analysis to the Building Community Resilience initiative in order to improve messaging and advocacy to address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma in five states across the US • Wrote >10 public comments, >5 testimony, >5 infographics, and >50 briefs on topics related to public health and nutrition to be used in the organization’s advocacy efforts Show less



The Center for Strategic Philanthropy

• SBC Intern, Direct Advising

  • Jun 2017 - Aug 2017

  Washington D.C. Metro Area The Center for Strategic Philanthropy’s Direct Advising program provides strategic consulting services to individuals and groups interested in launching philanthropically driven health initiatives. I worked alongside the Senior Director on a single project, advising a client investing in an intervention targeting risky health behaviors in several U.S. cities. Duties/Accomplishments: • Conducted background research on current public health SBC campaigns to recommend best practices… Show more The Center for Strategic Philanthropy’s Direct Advising program provides strategic consulting services to individuals and groups interested in launching philanthropically driven health initiatives. I worked alongside the Senior Director on a single project, advising a client investing in an intervention targeting risky health behaviors in several U.S. cities. Duties/Accomplishments: • Conducted background research on current public health SBC campaigns to recommend best practices to the client for adaptation for their desired initiative • Assisted in writing/editing workstream deliverables that provided our client with several intervention options • Fostered a strong organization-client relationship through effective and clear communication in reports and oral presentations Show less



FasterCures

• United States
• Think Tanks
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Policy Intern, Policy Program

  • Mar 2017 - Aug 2017

  Washington, D.C. FasterCures’ Policy Department acts as a think tank, convening stakeholders from multiple industries to address biomedical research challenges, while also producing recommendations and analyses about biomedical policy. I supported its senior staff with research and technical operations for numerous projects, while also tracking and reporting federal policy changes as memos and briefs. Duties/Accomplishments: • Followed public health legislation and analyzed the shifting US… Show more FasterCures’ Policy Department acts as a think tank, convening stakeholders from multiple industries to address biomedical research challenges, while also producing recommendations and analyses about biomedical policy. I supported its senior staff with research and technical operations for numerous projects, while also tracking and reporting federal policy changes as memos and briefs. Duties/Accomplishments: • Followed public health legislation and analyzed the shifting US political climate, reporting updates to senior staff • Revised and updated a 2016 guide, “Rx for Innovation”, outlining recommendations for a federal path to supporting biomedical research • Created and maintained >100 new profiles for a public, online database of biomedical consortium, “Consortia- pedia”, fostering data sharing across the industry • Performed administrative and logistical duties (scheduling, coordination) in preparation for and during events Show less



US Together, Inc

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Preferred Community Contractor

  • Jun 2015 - Nov 2015

  Columbus, Ohio Us Together receives and resettles refugees predominantly from northern Africa and the Middle East, supporting them as they begin a new life in the United States. As a Preferred Community Contractor, I was responsible for ensuring that the healthcare needs of the most traumatized and high-need incoming refugee families were attended to, and I worked across cultural lines in the field to improve health outcomes for refugee communities. Duties/Accomplishments: • Connected refugee… Show more Us Together receives and resettles refugees predominantly from northern Africa and the Middle East, supporting them as they begin a new life in the United States. As a Preferred Community Contractor, I was responsible for ensuring that the healthcare needs of the most traumatized and high-need incoming refugee families were attended to, and I worked across cultural lines in the field to improve health outcomes for refugee communities. Duties/Accomplishments: • Connected refugee clients to critical health resources, allowing them to gain healthcare benefits through local hospital systems and Medicaid • Reviewed reports and charts from our parent organization, HIAS, of incoming refugee clients’ health needs, referring those with the most serious conditions for enrollment in the Preferred Community Program, which ensured extra medical attention • Designed and implemented an 8-week soccer & nutrition workshop for refugee families, targeting behaviors related to food purchasing and preparation decisions, and incorporating feedback gained through focus group discussion • Performed background research and data gathering in support of a grant application to enable refugee clients that were victims of torture to receive specific, targeted mental health services through Ohio’s Medicaid program • Communicated with doctors’ offices on a daily basis to ensure refugee clients were able to receive initial medical exams and secure a reliable, culturally appropriate Primary Care Physician (PCP) Show less