Experience

National Partnership for Women & Families
• United States
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Vice President for Health Justice

  • Mar 2020 - Present


Families USA

• United States
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Center on Health Equity Action for System Transformation

  • Dec 2018 - Dec 2019

• Director for Health Equity

  • Mar 2011 - Dec 2018

  Lead organization’s strategic efforts to integrate advancing health equity and reducing racial and ethnic health disparities throughout its health policy advocacy work, communications, and engagement with state level advocates, serving as an internal resource and expert advisor to staff.Coordinate with and advise policy team directors on the salient health equity issues in their topic areas (Medicaid Expansion, Outreach and Enrollment, Marketplace Plan Reforms, and Health System Transformation) and develop joint projects to advance the elimination of health disparities through each of these areas, including blogs, infographics, issue briefs, and webinars.Develop and nurture collaborative relationships with national and state-level organizations working on health care access and equity issues, provide strategic advice and targeted technical assistance to advocates, and represent the organization in coalitions and before federal government entities. Travel extensively to speak and share expertise in diverse forums, ranging from large national conferences, to health system boards, to community town halls with elected officials. Extensive print and broadcast media work in Spanish and English, including appearances on national Univision and CNN en Español news programs, a weekly live consumer education segment on Univision’s Buenos Días DC, and Radio Bilingüe network’s consumer call-in shows.Currently serving a term as a patient/caregiver/advocate representative on the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute’s Addressing Disparities Advisory Committee and previously served as the parent representative on the 2014 Bronchiolitis Clinical Practice Guideline revision Subcommittee of the American Association of Pediatricians. Show less



SEIU

• United States
• Political Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Strategic Research Coordinator for State and Federal Policy

  • Jun 2005 - May 2011

  Coordinated research and policy analysis and advised locals on state-level healthcare reform implementation to expand organizing opportunities, develop and expand the healthcare workforce, and improve overall quality of care. Leading up to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, was National Campaign Coordinator for SEIU’s Healthcare Equality Project (HEP) a diverse partnership of dozens of organizations and coalitions focused on mobilizing communities of color to engage in the healthcare reform debate and advocate for effectively address disparities in what would become the Affordable Care Act. Directed research, policy analysis, and legislative development for SEIU’s locals and campaigns in Puerto Rico, including healthcare system transformation, developing a viable long-term care system, and organizing public school teachers. Worked with government officials, advocacy organizations, and the private sector at both the state and federal levels on Medicaid, Medicare and CHIP. Advised union locals on state-level long-term care programmatic and reimbursement reform in furtherance of new organizing and bargaining, including conducting local market research and workforce analysis. Represented SEIU at national conferences as well as local town hall meetings discussing a range of health care subjects including the Affordable Care Act, eliminating health care disparities, long-term care reform, and preventing Medicaid cuts. Show less



Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration

• United States
• Government Relations Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Policy Advisor, Health and Human Services

  • Apr 2001 - Jun 2005

  Responsible for the complete Health and Welfare legislative portfolio, including: welfare reform, nutritional assistance (Food Stamps), child protection and foster care, child care, Medicaid, Medicare, S-CHIP, public health and bioterrorism. Conducted research and policy analysis, and developed and implemented legislative advocacy strategies for Governors’ priority federal issues, including Congressional lobbying and intensive coalition work with a wide range of advocacy groups. Collaborated closely with federal and state level agencies on the implementation and oversight of federal health and human services programs, most notably, the implementation of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. Extensive writing and editing responsibilities, including drafting policy memoranda, legislative testimony, white papers, advocacy documents, press releases, and talking points, as well as providing high-level briefings on federal health and human services issues to members of the Cabinet and advising them on state-level media strategies for new programs. Significant public speaking experience representing the Governor’s office in national conferences on matters of health and social welfare, including welfare reform and Medicaid, and legislative advocacy strategies generally. Show less



Human Rights Watch

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Staff Attorney

  • Sep 1995 - Nov 1997

  Performed factual research, legal analysis, and advocacy on women’s human rights in Latin America, including extensive labor law investigations in relation to pregnancy discrimination in connection with alleged violations of the labor side agreement in NAFTA by American companies doing business in Mexico. Conducted complex investigation, legal analysis, and documentation of Peruvian women’s access to justice in cases of domestic violence, sexual violence, and torture by the military, which included a field investigation in Peru. Georgetown Women's Law & Public Policy Fellow Show less