This building looks like a big, glorified storage unit, I note to myself, gathering my backpack as I lock up my car in the parking lot. It’s gloomy outside, and the bland, slate-blue building siding seems to match the mood. Why are so many people running around like maniacs? I crane my neck up and see a loud CrossFit sign. Got it. But I’m not here to work out. My eyes drift further left and settle on a green neon sign on the building’s edge: “Fast Forward U – Johns Hopkins University.” I’m in the right place after all.
I wasn’t sure what I was walking into. I approached the lobby elevator curious, but more than a bit skeptical. A loud ding, then I step inside and press ‘2.’ This doesn’t seem right, I think, ascending into the unknown. Then the doors open. My pupils swell to twice their size: it’s a massive, bright, buzzing room, alive with funky décor, neon greens and blues, sleek designs, and people. Lots of people. Ok, now THIS seems right.
Why am I here?
I’m here to cover a hackathon. Specifically, the Anna Baetjer Society for Public Health Practice at Johns Hopkins University is hosting its inaugural Policy Hackathon: a business case study-meets-tech pitch competition event aimed at tackling a major public health issue. I work for Ripple Effect, a private Maryland company that supports the public health and sciences communities. Ripple is sponsoring this hackathon today, and two of our public health-focused scientists will serve as judges for the event.
9:35 a.m. Calm before the storm.
Johns Hopkins graduate students are concentrated in the back of the room, separated into teams of four or so. They’re working diligently, going over last-minute notes and pantomiming hand motions for their presentations. The judges, meanwhile, are seated, snacking and chatting and wondering what they’re going to see and hear.
Today the students will tackle Maryland’s opioid epidemic, a public health crisis that has worsened in recent years. Maryland’s opioid death rate of 32.2 deaths per 100,000 people is more than double the national rate of 14.6 deaths per 100,000 people. Over the past 15 years, the number of opioid-related deaths has grown from 52 annually to 1,542 deaths as recently as last year.
With no clear solution to reversing these trends, research universities like Johns Hopkins have stepped up to help Maryland public health officials break down the problems and blueprint solutions. According to Mia Stange, seminar coordinator for the Anna Baetjer Society, today’s hackathon aims to accomplish that through “a blend of pragmatism and creativity” necessary to tackle the complex issues impacting well being in the world.
10:05 a.m. Morning Heats.
We’re off to the races. Vice President of the Anna Baetjer Society, Ekta Paw, gives a short and sweet breakdown of the day’s schedule and goals before introducing Dr. Shannon Frattaroli, Hopkins Associate Professor in Health Policy and Management, for the welcoming address.
“For me,” began Dr. Frattaroli, “This is emblematic of everything public health can be, everything public health should be. Thank you for bringing this event to Baltimore.”
With the morning heats set to begin shortly, I learn more about how the day will work. The student teams competing have been pre-assigned to one of four specific Maryland counties—Howard, Carroll, St. Mary’s, and Frederick—and tasked with creating policy solutions that will reduce opioid abuse in their respective counties. They will do this by pairing the use of either naloxone or buprenorphine with community-based incentives to distribute that medicine.
I sat in on the Howard County team presentations, which took place in a small conference room. As I quietly set up in the back, the student teams shuffled into the room, breathing heavily and trying to hold their composure. The first group is up, with only ten minutes to present their solution. This time limit, combined with nerves, meant students spoke a lot faster to ensure they got all the information out.
“Time’s up,” the timekeeper announces from the side of the room. I can see the shock on the team’s faces; they didn’t cover everything they wanted. While a Q&A session allowed them to address concerns the judges had and present any last-minute information to sway votes, the time limit took a toll.
As Alexandra Zimmer, of Team 2, commented, “We only had 10 minutes to present and we could have easily done 3 hours for the amount of research.”
11:15 a.m. Meet the judges.
As students left their presentation rooms, I heard sighs of relief. The final set of teams preparing their presentations drank their last bits of coffee and tea, trying to keep the nerves to a minimum. Students enter the room. The door swings shut. They greet the judges. The timer starts.
Team 4 from Howard County, one of the few teams with five students in their group, made it through their presentation under time and uninterrupted. Teammate Lara Silverman felt confident after presenting to the judges in the Howard County session, “This was a fun thing that I’d never done before. I usually don’t elect to do work outside of school, but this was a fun group.”
After the third rotation of teams presented, the hackathon judges sat in their conference rooms to deliberate which teams they would send to the final round. I noticed some came up with their decisions faster than others, who struggled.
“It was hard choosing a winner,” St. Mary’s County health officer Meena Brewster commented. “They all did an amazing amount of research and approached it differently in a good way.”
Ripple Effect judges Jessica Escobedo and Nicole Parker talked about their connection to Johns Hopkins and why they chose to judge the hackathon. “I am a JHSPH alum, and I work with healthy policies every day,” said Nicole. “So, when I got the email to judge I was excited.”
“For me I chose to judge,” said Jessica, who is Ripple Effect’s director of Science Policy. “It’s wonderful to see how students are developing new policy talk. The thing I love about hackathons is you bring all that creativity and energy to problems in a way people haven’t looked at it before.”
12:05 p.m. A touching lunch.
Everyone is hungry and anxious, so lunch hour couldn’t come soon enough. As I sat down and unwrapped a sandwich, I noticed students weren’t talking much. The tension and anticipation to see if their teams will be finalists was palpable. A lot of stiffness and furrowed eyebrows in the back corner of the room.
Then, the president of the Anna Baetjer Society, Isabella Gomes, approaches the microphone and tells everybody to come to the central seating area. She announces that today will feature a guest speaker, who she introduces as Kevin Simmers. He’s a former narcotics officer who spent 30 years fighting the war on drugs in Maryland. In 2013, however, Simmers tragically lost his daughter Brooke to a heroin overdose that grew from a miserable painkiller addiction. This changed his perspective on everything.
“As a police officer and a guy who worked in narcotics,” Simmers reflected, “I felt like I had all the ideas, but I didn’t.” He continued to speak about how the work done today just isn’t a Maryland state problem; it’s a national problem. “Treatment, and the way we treat people with drug abuse problems, has to change.”
While losing Brooke shattered his world, Simmers remains committed to fulfilling his daughter’s wish for a place to live and get sober. He and his wife recently launched a halfway house in memory of his daughter. (It’s called Brooke’s House, located in Hagerstown, MD. Visit the website here.) Simmers’ story added a real, personal meaning to the day’s research and theoretical presentations, and served as an emotional transition to the afternoon.
1:30 p.m. Winners announced.
After Simmers concluded his remarks to applause, Anna Baetjer Society treasurer and hackathon organizer Cameron Schilling stepped up to the podium to announce the finalist teams. There wasn’t a drum roll, but I felt like I could hear the heartbeats and deep breaths of the students anxiously awaiting the results.
“Finalist…From Howard County, Team……2”
“Finalist…From Carroll County, Team……8”
“Finalist…From St. Mary’s County, Team……10”
“Finalist…From Fredrick County, Team……15”
After briefly celebrating their advancements, each finalist team quickly rediscovered their seriousness. They had to present their solution again, but this time in front of everybody. Teams briefly met and made last-minute changes based on feedback from the morning heats. Then, team by team, the students presented and made their strongest pitches for how to combat Maryland’s opioid epidemic.
3:30 p.m. The awards hour.
It doesn’t always happen this way, but each of the final teams won an award that was sponsored.
Ripple Effect sponsored the “Innovation Prize,” which was given to Team 2—or Howard Heroes, as they termed themselves—for the most new and creative idea for addressing the issue. The Howard Heroes idea involved incentivizing physicians to become DATA 2000-accredited (which enables them to prescribe and dispense drugs to treat opioid addictions) combined with introducing buprenorphine into the emergency room. This access to buprenorphine would help those who need immediate doses and last long enough until they can visit their doctor or receive proper treatment.
4:05 p.m. What’s next for the hackathon and JHSPS?
During the networking reception that followed the intense day of competition, I got the chance to debrief with some of the organizers and judges. Isabella Gomes and Cameron Schilling of the Anna Baetjer Society were relieved that the inaugural hackathon went off smoothly, and especially encouraged by the event’s potential outcomes.
“What could possibly happen here,” Cameron stated, “is policies addressed to these counties can be applied on a national level.” Fellow organizer Mia Stange added, “This event shows the commitment we put in; we’ve already spoken to health officials about public health topics we can tackle in the future.” Given the participation and excitement, this policy hackathon may be something the JHSPS and the Anna Baetjer Society does for years to come.
Or, as Isabella put it, “We hope for this to be a legacy and something people expect yearly from public health and JHU.”
5:30 p.m. Closing time.
I’m packed up, ready to find my way out and get off my feet. I thank the judges and organizers, say my final goodbyes, and approach the elevator. This morning, I entered the building confused—What’s a policy hackathon? Why the opioid epidemic? Why this strange CrossFit building? —but this afternoon, I’m leaving with clarity.
As I approach my car in its parking spot, I realize that this bland, unassuming building held something truly important inside. Amidst the fluorescent greens and bold blues, countless coffee cups and PowerPoint presentations were brilliant, passionate people of all ages trying to save lives and improve the community around us. Not because they’re required to, but because it’s the right thing to do.
That’s inspiring, and that’s why Ripple Effect sponsored this.
My mother. She grew up in a time when women didn’t have the freedoms and rights that women enjoy today. And yet, she found the will and the way to not be constrained by it. That’s what I always remind myself of and have taken with me throughout my life.
How did you get involved in finance?
In college, I was drawn to business, but wanted to specialize in the language of business: accounting. There’s one specific accounting course that separateswho will finish their degrees from those who won’t, and I refused to back down and give up. I’ve continued to do that every step of the way in my career.
What is an interest you have outside of work?
I’m a diehard soccer fan. Growing up, I wanted to be the next Pelé or David Beckham. My national teams are Nigeria and Cameroon, and I’ve been rooting for Manchester United after my British wife insisted on it.
Advice for professionals wanting to enter the finance field?
You need to have the ability to imagine.Those who fail to do soget left behind becausedecisions are made within certain inhibitors and mental blocks.Imagine,and embrace change with open arms.
Wendy Spillane Deputy Director of Communications
and Outreach
Wendy Spillane, Deputy Director of Communications, Outreach, and Healthcare Payment Integrity of Ripple Effect Communications, brings 20 years professional experience focusing on health care programs and environmental protection, providing strategic solutions, project management, data analysis, and communications support to the federal government.
Ms. Spillane received an M.S. in Environmental Science from Indiana University, School of Public and Environmental Affairs in May 1996. Ms. Spillane earned her Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification in April 2019.
From 1996 to 2014, Ms. Spillane worked in a variety of positions with increasing levels of responsibility at federal consulting firms including task lead and project manager. As a project manager in support of EPA, she successfully managed budgets up to $1M annually, coordinated a nationwide technical assistance team responsible for state and local community engagement, and oversaw communications and meeting support to 10 EPA regional offices. Ms. Spillane demonstrated her adaptability, reach, and excellence in collaboration with a diverse client profile including EPA’s Community Engagement Initiative, CNCS’ AmeriCorps, DOD’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, and CMS’ Premium Stabilization Programs.
In 2015, Ms. Spillane began supporting the Enrollment Assistance Program (EAP), a $50M CMS Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) contract as a senior manager and outreach lead. She helped develop the community outreach strategy and helped lead daily operations of its effective dissemination and implementation in nine state EAP markets, resulting in nearly 50,000 consumers enrolling in the private health insurance Marketplace.
Since 2017, Ms. Spillane has been a senior manager and technical lead for the Marketplace Program Integrity Contract (MPIC), a CMS Center for Program Integrity (CPI) contract supporting the ACA and the implementation of private health insurance initiatives. She served a primary point of contact for CPI and managed a diverse team of researchers, data analysts, and developers to process fraud information in a database for which she developed the requirements. This database tool is instrumental in identifying data trends in agent/broker noncompliance to conduct education and investigation in support of CPI program goals. Ms. Spillane used this tool to develop additional process improvements resulting in project-wide efficiencies.
Fun facts: Ms. Spillane has one son (a teenager!), one dog (a counter-surfer!), and one husband (who is thankfully neither a teenager nor a counter-surfer 😉). She loves meeting up with friends wherever they are, HomeGoods is her happy place, she will NEVER turn down a cup of coffee, and she is incredibly happy Stranger Things is coming out soon with its next installment!
Martha Ngoh Deputy Director of Program Management
and Policy
Martha Ngoh, Deputy Director of Program Management and Policy at Ripple Effect, brings over 7 years of experience supporting and managing federal-funded public health and healthcare projects involving policy development and implementation, communications, and partnerships. Ms. Ngoh has worked on projects and programs aimed at improving patient safety and the quality of healthcare delivery related to healthcare infection prevention and control, healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and antimicrobial-resistance (AR), and maternal safety. Ms. Ngoh served as a Senior Analyst at the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and was later promoted to Director of Healthcare Connections within the Infectious Disease Infrastructure and Policy team, where she provided leadership on a portfolio to foster collaboration between public health and healthcare through key activities. In this role, Ms. Ngoh managed the Council for Outbreak Response: HAI/AR where she developed processes for efficient Council operations and member engagement and contributed to the development of the Council’s Framework on HAI Outbreak Notification which aims to guide notification and communication in the context of a possible HAI outbreak. Ms. Ngoh received her MPH from the George Washington University in 2016. Ms. Ngoh was also selected as a fellow into the 2020-2021 cohort of the Johns Hopkins University Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Initiative. Ms. Ngoh currently serves as the Deputy Director of Program Management and Policy, where she provides leadership on the Program Management and Policy team.
Scott Catey Deputy Director of Digital Transformation
Dr. Scott Catey, Deputy Director, Digital Transformation for Ripple Effect Communications, brings 15 Years professional experience managing complex federal, state, and international projects involving IT, health equity, and evidence-based policy. Dr. Catey has co-managed projects in excess of $5 Million per year and over 35 people with diverse policy and programmatic responsibilities.
Dr. Catey earned his Ph.D. and J.D. (with honors) concurrently from the University of Florida in 2011.
From 1996 to 2001, Mr. Catey was Associate Program Director and then Program Director for a highly successful communications cluster in Missoula, Montana. Following this experience, he returned to graduate school to complete a second master’s Degree, and then his doctorate and law degrees, which he completed with honors. Following graduation, Dr. Catey had faculty appointments at Georgia State University and Agnes Scott College. Looking for a greater challenge, in 2012 he took a position with the Montana Department of Corrections to direct the agency’s implementation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
Following his brief but successful tenure at the Montana Department of Corrections, Dr. Catey transitioned to national-level PREA implementation work at the National PREA Resource Center, where he led the project’s digital growth and expansion, managed the development of the PREA Online Audit System, and managed complex data sets and analytics for Federal partners at the USDOJ. Most recently, Dr. Catey held the role of Associate Director at the PRC and managed a complex portfolio with four division heads and teams of eleven downstream reports.
Dr. Catey joined Ripple Effect Communications in June 2022, as the Deputy Director, Digital Transformation. He looks forward to providing excellent support to the organization and its clients.
Deborah Sartin Director of Project Management Office
Deborah Sartin, Director of the Project Management Office, for Ripple Effect Communications, Inc. brings 15+ Years’ professional experience developing PMOs from inception to service delivery. She is an accomplished leader managing enterprise technical and business projects for federal, corporate, education and non-profit organizations.
Created and managed an Office of Business Excellence and several PMO Centers of Excellence to drive organizational maturity in strategic planning, process improvement, quality management, contract management, and project portfolio management
Ms. Sartin received her M.S. in Management Information Systems from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Ms. Sartin holds CMMI Associate, ISO Certified Auditor, PMP, CSM, SAFe SM, Prosci, ITIL, CIPM, and Balance Scorecard certifications.
Early Work History
1990s
Ms. Sartin worked as a federal contractor to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) managing technical support and training. She also managed technical support and training for Mead Packaging, a global manufacturing company. In addition, she worked as a Project Manager for an international telecommunication firm, Global One where she launched call centers in the Americas. She has a breadth of experience in all aspects of technology services, shifting organizations from traditional service models to innovative transformational models.
Recent Work History
2000-2012
Ms. Sartin managed projects in the banking industry and worked as a business process improvement analyst for a telecommunications firm. In these roles she developed metrics to improve IT staff performance as well as processes and procedures for organizational efficiencies. She served as a Technology Support Manager for T-Mobile’s global call center. She delivered the best customer experience via outstanding customer relationship management. She also worked as an account executive and technical recruiter for Robert Half Technology. Ms. Sartin is frequently requested as a guest speaker and trainer on project management and organizational change management topics.
Current Work History
In 2012, Ms. Sartin joined the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) as their inaugural Project Management Office (PMO) Director. From the success of this role, she was promoted to the role of Director, Office of Business Excellence to lead strategic planning, process improvement and project portfolio management. After her tenure at ASHA, Ms. Sartin developed and expanded PMOs at educational institutions including West Virginia University, the University of Pennsylvania, Success Academy Charter Schools in NYC, and the Univ. of TN Health Science Center. She also provided Project Management consultation services with a global consulting firm where she helped clients establish Agile project management best practices.
Heather Huntsman Deputy Director of Strategic Staffing
Heather D. Huntsman is a solutions-focused and resourceful professional equipped with more than 15 years of training and experience in basic, applied, and translational science environments. Throughout her career she has been driven by asking the right questions which has led her to gain extensive experience in reviewing, evaluating, and interpreting findings in a broad range of biomedical disciplines, including stem cell biology, physiology, aging, and women’s health issues across all domains of medicine, and the influences of sex/gender and race/ethnicity on public health trends. She has used her expertise to support biomedical research at the NIH and DoD in various capacities including scientist, communications specialist, and grants manager. She also has a unique background as an athlete and coach which is a mentality that she brings to the workplace every day allowing her to excel in fast-paced team settings, lead through her work ethic and determination, and inspire others to do the same. Heather earned a Masters’ degree in exercise science from George Washington University, and a PhD in muscle physiology from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and prides herself in being a leader that listens and never stops learning.
Julie Lucas Director of Human Resources
Julie Lucas has over 20 years of experience in human resources. In the beginning of Julie’s career, she worked for a private company overseeing the human resources department for a healthcare company for 17 years. She then moved into the government contracting space. During her career, she has partnered with senior leaders to drive business results. Julie is responsible for all aspects of human resources including strategy and operations, talent acquisition, performance & development, employee engagement, DE&I, benefits administration, workforce technology, and the overall employee experience.
Julie has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from University of Phoenix with a concentration on Human Resources Management.
Lex Helsel Director of Research & Evaluation
Dr. Alexis Helsel has professional experience conducting applied health research and program evaluations for several federal agencies, including NIH and DOD. She has contributed and managed mixed-method scale evaluation projects that include bibliometric analyses of program outcomes and impacts and network analyses. Dr. Helsel has extensive experience abstracting administrative from NIH databases, including QVR, IMPACII, RePORT, iCite, as well as PubMed, Web of Science, USPTO, and Federal RePORTER. She also has experience using publication and grant data to construct research networks using VosViewer and CitNetExplorer. Dr. Helsel also has a strong record of effective communication and developing evidence-based recommendations. She has co-authored 20 briefings of research and evaluation findings for senior government and military stakeholders, eight technical reports, one peer-reviewed publication, and 12 professional conference presentations. She has trained and provided technical guidance on epidemiologic and evaluation methods to multi-disciplinary teams of Masters- and PhD-level scientists. She is proficient with STATA, SAS, and Microsoft Access, Excel, and DeDoose. Dr. Helsel earned a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh.
Debbie McCarron Deputy Director of Communications and Outreach
Debra McCarron has professional experience in strategic communications, project management, outreach and event planning, as well distance learning. She is the project manager for the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network which involves the creation of materials such as fact sheets, infographics, white papers, Power Point reports, videos and learning modules and she has managed graphics teams in all aspects of the design process from conception to development to final production. Previously, she co-owned Quality Design Solutions, a full-service company specializing in web design and marketing as well as database development for non-profit and small business. She also has experience in community marketing and facilities management. Ms. McCarron helped brand and grow a small business to over $1.5 million per year where she assisted in the day to day operations of three facility sites including budget, human resources, facilities management, and internal and external communication. She has experience in WordPress, the Adobe Creative suite and has become versed in 508 compliance. Ms. McCarron received her Bachelors of Science in Biology from Virginia Tech. Her early experience in basic research at both Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Cambridge Biotech was to support grants from the NIH. She also has over 4 years of experience in clinical research performed at the University of Maryland, Department of Cardiology, where she worked with Interventionist developing IIb/IIIa inhibitors.
Paul Edwards Chief Financial Officer
Paul brings 25 years of government contracting knowledge and over 10 years of senior management team experience to Ripple Effect. He has worked in a variety of industries including IT services, secure networks, engineering, and shipbuilding. Businesses he has worked with have ranged in size from $20M to $1B in annual revenue.
Most recently, Paul was CFO of Converged Security Services, a private equity backed business that was built through the acquisition of two government contractors specializing in IT services and security & access control. As the CFO, Paul was part of the team that grew the business by 40% over a two-year period. He led the business in all aspects of finance, accounting, treasury, reporting and audit, as well as several company initiatives post-acquisition to streamline and improve business processes and compliance.
Prior to that, Paul worked as CFO for a small Rockville-based defense contractor called Ultra Electronics 3eTI, a subsidiary of a UK-based publicly traded company. During his tenure there, Paul was responsible for all finance, HR, and IT functions.
Paul spent 19 years with General Dynamics in a variety of positions including CFO of their UK subsidiary, as well as Director of FP&A at GD’s Corporate Headquarters. He started his finance career with 14 years at GD’s shipyard in Bath, Maine.
Paul graduated from Clarkson University with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering & Management. He also has an MBA with honors from Clarkson University. He lives in Broadlands, VA with his wife, Kim. He has three daughters in college at VCU, JMU and South Carolina.
Asher Beckwitt Deputy Director of Research and Evaluation
Dr. Karen “Asher” Beckwitt received her Ph.D. in Anthropology from American University, with a specialization in qualitative methods. Dr. Beckwitt has consulted on over 5,000 qualitative and mixed-methods projects in health, medicine, education, and related areas. She has experience leading large and small multi-method research and evaluation projects and manages all aspects of these projects including research design, instrument design, sampling and recruitment, quantitative and qualitative data collection, data analysis, dissemination (peer-review publications, technical reports, and presentations), project timelines, and budgets. During her time with Ripple Effect, Dr. Beckwitt has led components of several multi-method evaluations of NIH biomedical research programs for NIAID. She also managed four public comment analysis projects for CMS, supervising teams of up to 40 policy analysts and overseeing training, task coordination, quality assurance, and client communication. Prior to joining Ripple Effect, Dr. Beckwitt worked as the Lead Qualitative Research Consultant for her own research company and as the Qualitative Analysis Research Consultant for George Mason University, where she created a qualitative service for the entire university community. Dr. Beckwitt has authored or co-authored 37 technical reports, 6 peer-reviewed articles, and a book chapter. She has delivered over 40 presentations at professional conferences to present research findings and to train researchers in qualitative methods and software. She is proficient in Dedoose and an expert trainer in NVivo software systems used to organize qualitative data.
Amy Hein Vice President, Strategic Staffing and DoD Accounts
What does it mean to be the Director of Scientific Workforce?
A lot of the work we do at Ripple Effect isn’t done at Headquarters; many contracts involve placing our people directly at client sites. So, I’m responsible for developing best practices for hiring and managing our employees at those client sites, like NIH and Fort Detrick. I also build close relationships with our clients and employees to ensure we find support that fits an agency’s culture and mission needs.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
Having limited face-to-face communication with the people I manage and support is a huge challenge. I can’t pretend to know what it’s like to be in their shoes every day. So, I listen. I understand their needs, empathize, and help problem-solve. There may be a physical divide between me and client sites, but I want my Scientific Workforce and clients to know I’m always there for them.
What are some of your hobbies?
I love to do anything active—I’m a runner and I coach my son’s sports teams. On the other hand, I love naps. On the weekend, you can find me taking a catnap to recharge for the next week.
Fun fact about you?
I was in ROTC! As a part of my program, I flew glider planes. Scary, but a big confidence booster.
Advice to young professionals?
Do some soul-searching about what’s most important to you in your career—is it the work? The people? A company mission and culture? Then, find opportunities that move you down that path. If something is truly important to you, don’t take no for an answer.
Jessica Escobedo Senior Director, Program Management and Policy
What does your day-to-day job involve?
It’s different every single day! I split my time between client support, staff support, and business development, so I get to identify and solve tricky problems all day long, which I love. Things are always evolving in science policy work, so you never know when politics or popular press may impact the work we’re doing. And it’s always fast-paced.
Why is science policy so important to Ripple’s business?
You could say that science policy is the heart of Ripple’s business. It’s where we started and how we grew our core capabilities into three unique, but interrelated divisions. Science policy work requires analytical skills, communication skills, and subject matter expertise, as well as exceptional project management, attention to detail, and practical, repeatable processes. These are the strengths that we bring to every client, every project, every time, and inspire our company’s core values.
What is a fun fact about you?
My husband and I met in an acapella group!
What advice do you have for those following in your footsteps?
Be open to opportunities around you. Some of the most wonderful things in my life happened because I talked with someone in an elevator or while waiting in line. Science policy is such a diverse field, that you never know who may help connect to you that next career step. If you’re willing to consider lots of possibilities, there are many paths to success.
Laura Welsh Director of Human Resources
Laura Welsh started her career in nursing before deciding to get a Master’s degree in Human Resources and focus on topics such as change management, leadership development and coaching, employee engagement, and staff development. She has held numerous positions in HR and healthcare, rising to the level of CHRO for an 1,100-employee healthcare system in Virginia. Her most recent position was Director of Compensation for George Mason University, where she was responsible for developing a comprehensive and multi-faceted compensation program for 11,800 employees.
In addition to holding several HR certifications, Laura shows her passion for life-long learning through her Six Sigma Green Belt, Crucial Conversations facilitator certification, and a LIFO facilitator certification.
Stay connected with us!
A career is a personal, yet shared journey that lasts over the course of a lifetime. We know that people move on to pursue their next career challenges, and that’s why we’re open and supportive when it happens. While it’s sad to lose great people, we consider it an opportunity to stay connected and grow our network of alumni and friends. If you’re interested in returning, or want to refer a stellar candidate, please reach out and contact our HR department.
Stay tuned for more information!
Are you a scientist interested in transitioning to a career away from the lab?
Knowing if that move is right for you and gaining the experience necessary to get a job in an “alternative” science career can be difficult. We understand this struggle and may have an opportunity for you!
We offer a volunteer fellowship program for science professionals who are interested in transitioning away from the bench. Each fellowship is tailored to the interest, background, and available time of the fellow. Fellowship opportunities may include work in public policy, program management, research and evaluation, or communications. If you’re interested in applying, please send us a resume and your best cover letter explaining your availability and why you’re interested in the fellowship.
Know someone who works at Ripple Effect?
Use the LinkedIn plugin below to search your network, reach out, and connect! Our people play vital roles in helping identify and refer candidates who may be great Ripplers in the future. Search our current openings, and feel free to contact our Human Resources department for more information.
We’re always looking for bright, versatile, lifelong learners who are willing to roll up their sleeves and jump into new opportunities.
Because we deal with constantly-evolving challenges, we value people who are constantly training, re-training, adapting to workforce trends, and learning from successes—as well as mistakes. If you’re an experienced professional with excellent judgment and a proven ability to get things done, you could be a great fit. Search our current openings and read up on our total rewards benefits package.
Interested in gaining scientific management experience? Apply for our internships! We’d love to have you.
We offer a variety of scientific opportunities to work in public policy, program management, research and evaluation, communications, or graphic design. We also offer internships for students interested in office and workforce management, including opportunities in logistics, recruiting, and retention. If you’re interested in applying, please send us a resume and your best cover letter explaining why you’re interested in the internship.
Public Comment Management & Analysis
What is it?
“Public comment” refers to the process of soliciting feedback from the public or membership on official reports, regulations, guidelines or programs. Public comments generally take one of two forms: Rulemaking — formal public consultation; Request for Information — informal public consultation. Comments are analyzed, synthesized, and disseminated to assist with decision-making.
Why is it important?
Public consultations give voice to stakeholders and provide organizations with more detailed scientific, economic or industry expertise needed to develop the most effective processes, policies and guidelines.
What can Ripple Effect provide?
Our five step process to facilitate the solicitation, receipt and analysis of public comments includes:
Planning and Release
Collecting Responses
Managing and Organizing Data
Data Analysis
Report Summaries
Amy Bielski President & CEO
Why did you start Ripple Effect?
When I worked at other companies, I realized they prioritized the technical sides of business over culture: HR, how employees and contractors were treated. To be successful, every element of a business matters, not just the bottom line. I wanted to create an environment that reflected that.
What is a hobby of yours?
I’m a martial arts instructor working towards my 3rd degree black belt. I appreciate how Ninjutsu isn’t about violence—it’s about how to be calm in a battle and defuse tense situations.
What is a funny quirk about you that people might not know?
Before everything became digital, I’d take 14-20 paperback books with me on vacation and read them all by the end of the trip. Since I’m not a person who reads things twice, I would leave the books in a common area for other people to enjoy.
Advice to someone wanting to start their own business?
You need to have a creative vision of what you want to achieve and where you want your company to go. To get there, you need to be resilient and learn like crazy from peers who walked the path before you. If you have enough perseverance, you can learn anything.
Jennifer Pohlhaus Chief Operating Officer
How did you join Ripple Effect?
After my AAAS Science & Technology Policy fellowship, I was looking for my next career step. A colleague mentioned that I should talk to Amy Bielski from Ripple Effect, a company I had heard positive things about. I contacted Amy and we hit it off right away. I started off by managing an NIH contract that Ripple Effect had recently won, and after that project was over, there was always another new and exciting challenge to overcome—that satisfied my need for learning and achieving.
What do you think is your biggest strength as a leader?
When I took the CliftonStrengths assessment, I was a little surprised by the results. My top five strengths are Achiever, Relator, Responsibility, Harmony, and Learner. My husband says I have the most patience of anyone he knows and I think that comes from the Relator and Harmony strengths. I’ve learned that taking the time to understand and see situations from multiple perspectives is key to connecting with others and solving problems.
What do you do in your free time?
I don’t have a lot of free time since most of my time outside of work is spent taking care of my kids. But I make time every morning to be active—I’m an avid runner and I do yoga on the weekends.
What are you proudest of in your career?
I am proudest of what Amy and I have built at Ripple Effect. We’ve created a place that welcomes diversity and values lifelong learners who always want to find better ways to do things.
Patrick McCarthy Director of Strategic Growth
Why is communications so important for a business’s success?
It’s becoming a lost art. In a world of 280 Twitter characters, everyone has become reactionary. The first story isn’t the whole story—research matters. Be methodical, thoughtful, and evidence-based, and that’s how you succeed.
What are some of your hobbies?
Sports. Golf is a passion of mine, and I coach my step-daughter’s hockey team. I enjoy reading books—biographies and historical nonfiction. Traveling is a big, big hobby, and I love exploring new cultures with my family.
Fun fact about you?
I soloed in an airplane before I got my driver’s license.
What are you proudest of?
I’ve worked hard to surround myself with good, like-minded coworkers, many of whom have become close friends. That we’re willing to spend time together means I’ve earned trust and respect and tried to lead by example, and I’m very proud of that.
Kristy Riordan Director of Research & Evaluation
Tell us about your career path. What were you doing before Ripple Effect?
After years of studying and training to be a teacher, I realized I cared more about social science and big-picture policies that affect lives, rather than being the one teaching reading and math. So, I switched gears. Before Ripple Effect, I worked for the Army and evaluated behavioral health programs.
What’s a hobby of yours?
I am an avid reader, especially Stephen King novels. It’s hard to find the time with three kids, but getting to read on vacation or on an airplane is when I’m the happiest.
Why is Research and Evaluation so important to what Ripple Effect does?
If you aren’t willing to look at yourself and see how you can improve, you probably aren’t approaching your business in a way that has fidelity. The government hasn’t always done this well, but we do! So, we help clients measure, analyze, and better understandhow to improve and learn from past mistakes.
What is a funny quirk about you that people might not know?
I’m a big germaphobe. Being a health researcher doesn’t help that.
Advice you would give a young professional?
What my father alwaystold me: You are going to work for the vast majority of your life, so do something you can take pride in and enjoy doing.
Tierra Terrell-Johnson Senior Human Resources Manager
Tell us about your career path. How did you get here?
I studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Go Badgers!) and got my MBA from Concordia University. I concentrated on Human Resource Management because I wanted to prove that HR professionals can be analytical, strategic, and have a seat at the business table.
What motivates you?
I’ve made it my mission to ensure that when you come to work at Ripple Effect, you bring your whole self and feel comfortable doing so. We’re all equal here, and I will always fight for that.
What are some of your hobbies?
I love to organize (and color-coordinate!) I’d be a professional organizer if I could. My favorite store is Staples—I could spend a whole paycheck there.
Advice for future professionals entering your field?
Develop your people’s leadership skills, especially junior employees. Train them and involve them. As companies grow, they need succession plans—and if you invest in your people, they will invest in the company in return.
Timothy La Rose Director of Communications & Outreach
Timothy La Rose was, most recently, the Senior Communications Manager for the USAID/RTI International ENVISION project which seeks to end neglected tropical diseases in 19 countries. He has more than 20 years of communications experience in both the private and public sectors. Previously he worked as the Chief of Communications for UNICEF Guinea, where he led communications before, during, and after the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
Timothy has served as Chief of Communications for the United Nations Office on Children and Armed Conflict, led digital communications for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and worked on internal and external global communications projects at UN Headquarters. Earlier, he worked in the private sector at Citibank and Sony where he led small a digital communications team that won a patent for a content management system.
He has worked in: Washington D.C.; New York, NY; Conakry, Guinea; Vienna, Austria; Nairobi, Kenya; and Doha, Qatar. Throughout his career, he has managed communications teams covering diverse topics including: children, education, health, human trafficking, transnational organized crime, conflict, international development, child protection, and the music industry. Timothy lives in Silver Spring, MD with his wife and son, loves the outdoors, and speaks German and French.