Director of Policy and Partnerships

• May 2023 - Present

Responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships within the Administration, Congress and national organizations to elevate and address Maternal Mental Health through positive policy outcomes

Founder

• Mar 2019 - Present

Sponsor annual congressional briefings on maternal mental health (2019- present)2020: CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING on the Status of Maternal Mental Health (May 19, 2020). MMHLA — in partnership with the March of Dimes — hosted a VIRTUAL Congressional briefing with almost 450 participants. Worked with Congress to build out access to telehealth; encouraged funding $8 million for HRSA grants to states to create programs to address maternal depression and request for child psychiatry access programs; advocated for full 12 month postpartum Medicaid coverage; supported full spectrum support for new mothers in families birthing during global pandemic.2021: Worked with Congress to authorize funding for a dedicated maternal mental health hotline to provide 24/7 voice and text support that is culturally and linguistically appropriate.- Supported and advocated for the Black Maternal Health Momnibus, with focus on the Moms MATTER Act, which focuses specifically on maternal mental health for women of color.2022: Partnered with Black Women's Health Imperative, March of Dimes, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, National Birth Equity Coalition and American Academy of Pediatrics to craft maternal mental health legislation, "Into the Light". - Into the Light for Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Act of 2022 (S. 3824 / H.R. 7073) introduced in Congress on March 14, 2022 by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representative Katherine Clark (D-MA). Into the Light authorizes and funds existing MMH programs for FY2023-2028, including: Grants to states to create and expand MMH programs. Increase funding from $5 million a year to $24 million a year so at least half the states can receive grants. Dedicated 24/7/365 MMH hotline.*** Included in the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022. Signed into law December 23, 2022.- Hosted national webinar on maternal mental health with the Vice President's office in May 2022 Show less

Policy Director

• Nov 2020 - Dec 2021

Town Moderator

• May 2023 - Present

Elected annual position. Responsible for preparing Town Warrant, running Town Meeting and appointing Finance Committee. Elected annual position. Responsible for preparing Town Warrant, running Town Meeting and appointing Finance Committee.

State Representative

• Dec 2021 - Jan 2023

Represented the 4th Essex district. Towns include Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester, Rowley, Topsfield and Wenham. Committee assignments: Education; Global warming and Climate; COVID-19 Response and Emergency Preparedness; Operations, Facilities and Security. Policy focus on: community resiliency; environmental viability and longevity; maternal health and wellness; mental health; veterans services; food insecurity; parks and recreation and senior care. Bills filed: An Act establishing peer support services An Act relative to paid pregnancy loss leave An Act relative to pregnancy loss awareness An Act establishing maternal mental and behavioral health care workforce grants An Act establishing a maternal mental health equity grant program An Act putting more money in more people’s pockets (62F tax code with Rep Mike Connolly) Amendments filed and adopted: - Argilla Road Reconstruction, Ipswich: A Model for Climate Resilient Coastal Roads (2.5M) - Property Tax Exemption for 100% Disabled Veterans - Nursing Pipeline Shortage (10M): For a reserve to establish and maintain a student loan fund aimed at strengthening the nursing instructor pipeline in the commonwealth, provided that not less than $15,000,000 be transferred to the Department of Higher Education to establish tuition forgiveness for nursing instruction workforce pipeline within the state public university system. Show less

Board Member

• Dec 2020 - Dec 2021

Volunteer board member for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Focused on health outcomes for mothers and babies. Commitment to racial equity. Made introductions to companies who value women and infant health, in an effort to create long term relationships and financial commitment. Volunteer board member for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Focused on health outcomes for mothers and babies. Commitment to racial equity. Made introductions to companies who value women and infant health, in an effort to create long term relationships and financial commitment.

State Representative- Elect

• Sep 2021 - Nov 2021

Founder

• Nov 2017 - Oct 2020

Effie's Grace is a specialty firm that brings grassroots advocacy expertise for positive women's health outcomes. Our advocacy experts represent stakeholder interests at both the State House and Capitol Hill. Effie's Grace bi-partisan approach on positive perinatal health policy has yielded results from the state level all the way to the White House. Effie's Grace specializes in State and Federal Government Relations, Direct Advocacy, Coalition Building, Policy Development and Positioning, and Political Strategies. Clients include: SAGE RX March For Moms Baystate Birth Coalition MMHLA Show less

Candidate for the United States House of Representatives

• Apr 2019 - Sep 2020

Mother, progressive leader, education activist, mental health advocate, policy expert, women’s rights champion, and wife. Ran a grassroots funded, bootstraps campaign. Received over 3K signatures to get on the ballot for United States House of Representatives during the beginning of the pandemic. Received 20K votes across the 38 towns and communities. Focused on: Representing all 38 communities of the 6th district. Protecting Our Communities from COVID and helping Our Parents with Students’ Transition back to School. Focused on funding for our public schools, K-12 and higher education, PPE and safety of our teachers/administrations. Economic Goals: The Recovery and Rebuilding of Our Local Economy. Access to healthcare, childcare, education funding. Show less

Commissioner

• Jan 2016 - Sep 2019

Appointed by Chairwoman Senator Joan Lovely and approved by Governor Charlie Baker (2016) The Commission is charged with the following tasks: An assessment of current research on postpartum depression; Review of current PPD screening policies and practices Assist MDPH in the development of educational materials, referral lists and designation of validated screening tools Assist MDPH is applying for federal funding File an annual report at the end of each state fiscal year Show less

Maternal Mental Health Advocate

• Oct 2013 - Dec 2017

Subject matter expert on perinatal and postpartum maternal mental health. Grassroots organizer for legislative initiatives related to maternal mental health funding. [State/Federal] Hands on partner with local Congressional offices to educate and advocate state and national policy around Postpartum Depression [MCPAP for Moms; PPD Pilot Program; HR 3235] Partnered with local district and Commonwealth administrations to help implement statewide screening for Postpartum Depression [Spring 2016] Helped implement and organize June 2015 inaugural "Into the Light" Postpartum Depression Advocacy Day at the Massachusetts State House. Featured speaker at 2015 MotherWoman annual breakfast. Constituent member of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Special Commission on Postpartum Depression. Constituent partner with Senator Joan Lovely [D- MA 5th Essex] on maternal mental health issues. Trained facilitator for mother support groups via MotherWoman. Grassroots focus on maternal mental health support and funding for hospitals and community support groups in the North Shore and Cape Ann region of Massachusetts. Show less

Advocacy Chair

• Sep 2015 - Nov 2017

National Advocacy Chair for state and federal level policies and legislation around maternal mental health. 2017 results: Focused efforts on grant monies to be appropriated for the Maternal Mental Depression program. 2016 results: 21st Century Cures Act signed into law December 3, 2016 which included NCMMH 2015-2016 goals: HR3235: Congresswoman Katherine Clark's "Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act of 2015" [21st Century Cures Act] HR5291: "Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act" HR5065: "BABES Act" Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act Coalition member of the Congressional Maternity Care Caucus. Organized Congressional breakfast briefing on Maternal Mental Health with Congresswoman Katherine Clark [6th- PA] and Congressman Ryan Costello [6th- PA] on HR3235 "Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act of 2015 with featured speakers Dr. Samantha Meltzer Brody, Director of UNC Center for Women's Mood Disorders; Danni Starr, TLC host and former IHeart radio personality and PPD Anxiety/OCD survivor; Randy Gibbs, Executive Director of Jenny's Light. Implemented, organized NCMMH's 2016 inaugural maternal mental health lobby day. Over 45 advocates attended, and secured 6 bipartisan cosponsors to HR 3235. Led grassroots and national efforts to ensure passage of HR. 3235 and S. 2311 "Bringing Postpartum Out of the Shadows Act of 2015" Author of the NCMMH Advocacy Tool Kit: www.mmhcoalition.com/advocacy_tool_kit Organized and launched NCMMH's first ever Social Media campaign #LoveAnotherMother [February 2016] targeted at members of congress by constituents to seek support and passage of house and senate bill, "Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act of 2015" The National Coalition for Maternal Mental Health unites members from national organizations devoted to addressing maternal mental health. Our goal is to engage stakeholders, advocate for change in policies and practices, and raise awareness. Show less

Adjunct Professor

• Jan 2013 - Jun 2013

Teaching Intro to Flamenco Teaching Intro to Flamenco

Director, Global Mobility

• Jun 2008 - Dec 2009

Director for all outbound North America expatriates, and EMEA region. Implemented and rolled out Philips Global Expatriate Policy for the North America and HC EMEA regions. Administered and maintained expatriate tracking system, gross to net calculations, and regional benefits. Managed annual budget. Manager for all U.S. inbound immigration issues and North America immigration policy. ** Found and corrected discrepancies in life insurance policies and pension. Identified and brought to Philips legal a 1M error in expatriate benefits, that was corrected during my tenor. Vendor manager for North America relocation partners [PWC, Weichart Relocation and Fragomen, DelRey, Bernsen and Loewy] Laid off in December 2009, as all expatriate services were being centralized in the Netherlands. Show less

International HR Business Partner

• Nov 2007 - Jun 2008

Strategized and delivered global deployment support for Europe and Middle East. Advised on candidate selection, vendor support and global mobility considerations. Partnered with employee, business unit and 3rd party vendors to establish and maintain global deployment and its lifecycle. Worked with business units on global deployment forecasts for upcoming contracts/projects. Created and implemented policy, process and procedure for international deployment/expatriate employees. Interacted daily with Resource Everyday online expatriate management system [PWC] Show less

Global Mobility Manager

• Nov 2002 - Sep 2007

Managed inbound and outbound program for AOL, and several TimeWarner/AOL subsidiaries. Managed inbound and outbound program for AOL, and several TimeWarner/AOL subsidiaries.

Immigration Specialist

• Aug 2000 - May 2002

Developed, implemented and managed inbound immigration program. Developed and implemented work permit/green card policies and processes. Developed, implemented and managed inbound immigration program. Developed and implemented work permit/green card policies and processes.

Legislative Analyst/Federal Lobbyist

• Jun 1999 - Aug 2000

Assisted in passage of: ACWIA (American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act) AC 21 (American Competitivness in the 21 Centuries Act) Spousal Work Permits Covered hearings related to immigrant worker and labor relations, with specific focus on STEM and university related work permits and permanent residency. Wrote and distributed member newsletter. Partnered with mutual minded coalitions to influence and craft business friendly immigration reform and legislation. Show less

Immigration Specialist

• 1997 - 1999

Administered and managed inbound immigration program. Lobbied for business immigration reform via ACIP and Compete America. Partnered with Massachusetts delegation and Senator Kennedy's Sub-Committee on Immigration office on business immigration reform. Administered and managed inbound immigration program. Lobbied for business immigration reform via ACIP and Compete America. Partnered with Massachusetts delegation and Senator Kennedy's Sub-Committee on Immigration office on business immigration reform.

Congressional Intern

• Sep 1996 - Apr 1997

Congressional Intern. Hands-on work with constituents and their immigration case work. Congressional Intern. Hands-on work with constituents and their immigration case work.