Ripple Effect

Kristen Adams is the Deputy Director of Information Technology at Ripple Effect, where she leads data‑driven operations, oversees IT strategy and analytics, and guides teams in delivering high‑quality technical, evaluation, and policy support for federal clients. She brings more than a decade of experience in health science research, data analysis, and project management, leveraging her background in epidemiology and public health to strengthen evidence‑based decision‑making across programs and portfolios.

Manasi Apte, PhD, PMP, is the Deputy Director of Data Science and Evaluation at Ripple Effect, where she guides interdisciplinary teams, advances data-driven strategies, and supports clients in strengthening research, evaluation, and policy outcomes. She oversees projects spanning biomedical research training, data science, strategic planning, and science communication, applying her scientific expertise and operational leadership to help federal agencies translate complex evidence into accessible, actionable insights.

Maria Young, CMP, CMM, is the Deputy Director of Events and Partnerships at Ripple Effect, where she leads strategic event operations, strengthens cross‑sector partnerships, and advances initiatives that elevate stakeholder engagement and organizational impact. She oversees a portfolio spanning event strategy, advocacy programming, and collaborative outreach, drawing on her public health background and operational expertise to deliver high‑quality, mission‑aligned solutions that serve diverse audiences and support client goals. Her multidisciplinary career includes roles across the federal government, biopharmaceutical industry, health communications, and hospitality, with experience developing advocacy programs, supporting regulatory communications, and guiding cross‑functional teams through complex initiatives.

Margie Beaudry, MA, is the Deputy Director of the Program Management & Policy Division at Ripple Effect, where she leads the company’s Public Comment services. Since 2018, she has directed more than 50 federal public comment projects, overseeing a team of over 80 healthcare and policy analysts, project managers, and coordinators to ensure high-quality reviews, timely deliverables, and responsive client communication. In addition to managing large-scale comment analysis contracts, Margie serves as a subject matter expert across Ripple Effect projects, lending her expertise in psychometrics, behavioral health research, quality improvement, performance management, change leadership, and strategic facilitation.

With more than 38 years of experience spanning federal policy, healthcare, public health, and research, Margie has worked across government, corporate, community, nonprofit, clinical, and academic settings. Before joining Ripple Effect, she held leadership and research positions at the Public Health Foundation, the Advisory Board Company, Drug Strategies, the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, and Massachusetts General Hospital.

Sharon Nakhimovsky, MA, PMP, is the Deputy Director of the Communications and Outreach Division at Ripple Effect, where she oversees program operations, cultivates high-performing teams, and drives business development initiatives. She directs a diverse portfolio of integrated communications and partner engagement projects, providing leadership across website management, strategic communications planning, social media and email marketing, media relations, research, change management, events, analytics, instructional design, and creative services to help clients amplify their reach and impact.

Before joining Ripple Effect, Sharon was the Associate Director of Corporate Communications at a biopharmaceutical company developing COVID-19, RSV, and influenza vaccines, where she led global branding and media strategies, supported the company’s public launch in 2021, and advanced its reputation in vaccine R&D. Earlier in her career, she worked at Abt Associates as a strategic communications and health policy specialist, delivering communications, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and technical assistance for clients including CMS, CDC, VBA, and USAID.