Our Success Comes From Our Shared Values
Our clients are on the front lines of Public Health. Priorities may shift but our commitment to supporting our partners does not. We take pride in having multi-year, multi-project engagements, often working closely as an extension of their staff.
01
A bias toward action
02
Optimistically collaborative
03
Willingness to navigate ambiguity
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Minimal Ego - No job is too small or big
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Pursuing the equitable solution
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Always learning
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Committed to quality at every stage
Who We Are
Founded in 2004 to help local health departments navigate the intense, high-stakes demands of emergency preparedness—a space where moving slow simply isn't an option. Today, we bring that same urgency and diligence to comprehensive Public Health systems transformation.
Over the last two decades, we’ve expanded that responsiveness and approach to tackle a wide array of Public Health challenges, from data modernization to substance use abatement. With zero ego, curiosity, and a willingness to navigate ambiguity, we partner with communities to turn slow-moving Public Health challenges into targeted, sustainable, and equitable solutions. We don’t just execute the work; we empower agencies with the tools, data, and strategic guidance necessary to own their long-term success.
We believe health is a human right—and because it's a human right, the work cannot wait. We know that every stalled initiative or delayed initiative is a community left waiting for care. That is why we operate with a passion and bias toward action. We build the capacity, bridge the gaps, empower communities, and get the work done.
Our Commitment to Health Equity-Centered Change
At BME Strategies, equity is never an afterthought—it is the architecture of our work. In every project, we center our team’s diverse talents and lived experiences to design inclusive solutions, measure our impact on social equity, and prevent unintended harms.
Our team brings deep, practical expertise in trauma-informed care, inclusive data practices, and culturally responsive facilitation. Because we know communities hold the answers, we partner directly with local organizations to design solutions that truly reflect the people they serve. We also ensure our materials are universally accessible, delivering ADA-compliant and multilingual resources.
This commitment to equity extends to how we do business. BME actively partners with certified diverse organizations to implement our programs. On average, we allocate 23% of our statewide contract revenue to registered diverse suppliers—consistently surpassing our 12.5% Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) commitment. Together, these partnerships help us advance racial equity and uphold Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards across all our work.
We are a team of Public Health practitioners who are fixated on the ‘how’.
A.C. Rothenbuecher
MPH - DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Adji Diop
COORDINATOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Adji Diop brings a strong background in business development within the public health and nonprofit sectors, with expertise in proposal development, business development operations, and competitive funding strategy. She has extensive experience designing efficient business development workflows, managing complex proposal processes, and supporting organizations in securing funding to advance mission-driven initiatives.
Throughout her career, Adji has supported organizations including Helen Keller International, the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York, and the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation, contributing to initiatives focused on health systems strengthening, affordable housing, economic development, and community engagement. She is passionate about advancing equity by expanding opportunities for historically underserved communities and helping organizations secure the resources needed to create lasting impact.
Adji holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Creative Writing from Baruch College.
Aine Studdert-Kennedy
MPH - SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Aine is a passionate public health professional driven by her belief in the fundamental right to good health. With a background in data analysis, environmental risk assessment, health program planning, and policy development, Aine is dedicated to promoting community-driven public health initiatives and implementing equitable and sustainable health solutions. She thrives on collaboration, actively seeking diverse perspectives and insights to inform her work. Committed to continuous learning, Aine leverages collective knowledge to address complex public health challenges and drive positive impact. Aine holds a BS in Public and Community Health from Ithaca College and an MPH in Environmental Health and Epidemiology/Biostatistics from Boston University School of Public Health.
Alison Ireland
MA - ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Alison Ireland brings over two decades of experience in behavioral health and human services, with a career spanning direct service, program operations, research, and consulting across local, state and national systems. She partners with public sector and nonprofit organizations to design and lead evaluations, needs assessments, and strategic planning efforts that strengthen public health systems and expand equitable access to care. Her work has included statewide initiatives across Massachusetts, with a focus on substance use, service provision and prevention, workforce development, and youth and young adult services. She is particularly skilled in mixed-methods research, community voice and partner engagement, and elevating lived experience to inform actionable, data-driven solutions. She brings a collaborative, systems-focused approach to advancing meaningful, equitable and sustainable improvements in public health. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Elms College and a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts.
Allyson Gittens Dias
MHS - SENIOR ADVISOR
Allyson Gittens brings a wealth of experience from her work across the nonprofit sector both domestically and abroad, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and RAND, a non-partisan policy research organization. Her areas of expertise include program evaluation, community engagement, project management, and policy research. Allyson is a subject matter expert in health equity, dedicated to implementing programs and projects that improve the health and well-being of marginalized and vulnerable populations. She holds a Master’s of Health Science with a concentration in Social Factors in Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Alyssa Loskill
MPH - SENIOR ADVISOR
Alyssa Loskill is a public health infectious diseases and data analysis expert committed to supporting the use of data to inform decision making. As an infectious disease epidemiologist at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, she led COVID-19 data analysis, visualization, and outbreak management for over 150 colleges, universities, and boarding schools. She is motivated by evaluating complex problems through data and presenting outcomes in appealing and action-oriented visuals. Alyssa received her Master’s degree in Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics & Global Health Program Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation from Boston University.
Andy Cheshire
SENIOR ASSOCIATE, GRAPHIC DESIGN
Andy Cheshire is a graphic designer with experience delivering high-impact print and digital communication solutions for public sector and nonprofit clients. Andy’s professional background also includes a decade of customer service providing statistical support. Combining this support driven foundation with his creative design skills allows him to seamlessly translate complex and technical concepts into engaging, simplified visuals. Andy holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Angie Truesdale
MPA - EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & MANAGING DIRECTOR
Angie Truesdale has more than 20 years experience working with federal, state and local governments to improve community health. Most recently, she served as CEO of Centering Healthcare Institute for 8 years, working to improve maternal health systems through government, payer and clinical partnerships. Angie spent 15 years in Washington, DC working in the national public policy arena to increase access, adequacy and affordability in healthcare delivery. She has an MA in Public Administration from Post University and BA in Psychology from University of St. Thomas.
Beth Haefner
MPH - ADVISOR
Beth Haefner is a public health professional with over seven years of experience advancing health and education initiatives across the U.S. and sub-Saharan Africa. Her interest in public health began during her Peace Corps service in Guinea, where she taught middle school mathematics and collaborated with local leaders and students to address community health challenges. Since then, she has supported health and education programs in Madagascar, Zambia, Uganda, and Massachusetts, bringing expertise in data analysis, survey design, grants management, and business development. Beth holds an MPH from Tufts University.
Brad Clarke
MPH - SENIOR ADVISOR
Brad Clarke has 20 years of experience in healthcare governance, strategy, and process improvement within health systems, managed care, tribal health and other nonprofit healthcare organizations across the US and New Zealand. Prior to consulting roles, he also held executive leadership roles in corporate compliance and quality improvement. He is passionate about integrating mission into strategy, and is dedicated to providing pragmatic and sustainable solutions. Brad received his master’s degree in public health from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Bryan Murphy-Eustis
MPH, MBA - Founder & CEO
Caitlyn Winders
ADVISOR
Caitlyn’s passion for public health began when she was stationed as a Maternal & Child Health Facilitator with the Peace Corps in West Africa, where she worked directly with mothers to understand the social determinants of health impacting their lives through the lens of qualitative data. Since then, she has worked in public health spaces across the globe, and has honed her expertise in project management and stakeholder development through her time improving epidemiological workforce standardization practices in over 10 countries. Caitlyn cares deeply about ensuring that public health interventions work for every community being served in a sustainable, tangible way. She holds a BA in Psychology from Emory University.
Cameron England
MPH - ADVISOR
Cameron England is a public health and healthcare informatics professional with over 20 years of experience supporting data modernization and health information systems across clinical research, disease surveillance, and global health. His work focuses on data governance, interoperability, and the integration of data from electronic health records, laboratory systems, and other diverse sources to support population health and programmatic performance. He is particularly focused on advancing the secondary use of health data through scalable, standards-based approaches that strengthen accessibility, utility, security, and sustainability. Cameron has a MPH in Public Health Informatics and Epidemiology from Emory University.
Carey Walovich
MPH - Senior Manager
Carey is a strategic public health and business development professional with over 12 years of
experience accelerating growth, partnerships, and health equity across government and global
sectors. She has led high-impact proposal and partnership strategies that have strengthened
health systems and mobilized significant funding across more than 20 countries. With deep
expertise in health systems strengthening, gender equity, and stakeholder engagement, Carey
drives collaborative, evidence-based solutions that advance organizational growth and
measurable public health impact. She holds an MPH from UCLA’s Fielding School of Public
Health and serves on the Board of Directors for the Uganda Village Project.
Caroline Hamilton
MPH - DIRECTOR, SUBSTANCE USE ABATEMENT
Caroline is a strategic public health consultant with 10 years of experience in public health program management, substance use prevention and harm reduction, and technical assistance, with an emphasis on technology-enabled solutions. Her career has focused on advancing health equity, leveraging data to inform action, strengthening cross‑sector partnerships, and supporting systems‑level strategies to address substance use and its root causes across local, state, and national settings. She cares deeply about meaningful engagement of people with lived and living experience. Caroline holds an MPH from the University of Pittsburgh and a BA in Biology from Oberlin College.
Cynthia Baker
MPH - DIRECTOR, COALITION MANAGEMENT & BUILDING
Cynthia Edouarzin
MPH - ADVISOR
Dawn Sibor
MEd - ADVISOR
Derrecia Graham
ADVISOR
Derrecia is a public health professional with a track record of building sustainable partnerships,
including with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). She leads strategic planning
processes, conducts organizational and programmatic assessments, and develops
implementation plans and performance measurement frameworks.
Her work strengthens population health through data-driven advocacy, health education, and
community engagement. She facilitates stakeholder engagement processes and community
consultations, guides partners through program implementation, and builds cross-sector
partnerships that carry work forward after her involvement ends. Her background in quality
improvement and social drivers of health shapes how she designs these engagements.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from Hunter College and a
Master of Public Health from the CUNY School of Public Health and Health Policy.
Derya Deane
Senior Manager, Finance & Operations
Derya Deane is a forward-thinking and detail-oriented operations professional who specializes in building systems that help teams run more effectively and equitably. Prior to joining BME Strategies, she served as Director of Operations at the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association, where she led initiatives across HR, finance, technology, and data. Her work focused on streamlining workflows, strengthening infrastructure, and supporting cross-functional collaboration. Derya brings a continuous improvement mindset to every aspect of her work. She is known for her clarity, curiosity, and ability to solve problems with both precision and practicality, making processes smoother, teams more aligned, and outcomes more sustainable.
Erika Syokau
MPH - SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Erika Syokau is a public health leader who has a passion for health equity. Erika specializes in driving strategic initiatives with a focus on enhancing population health outcomes. In the past, she has had experience in spearheading projects within hospital systems to elevate healthcare standards, and improve operational efficiencies all while excelling in collaborative environments. Erika thrives on engaging with diverse stakeholders to address challenges and implement innovative solutions in the evolving landscape of healthcare. Erika holds a BS in Business Administration with a minor in Economics from Worcester State University and an MPH in Healthcare Management from Boston University School of Public Health.
Haleigh Schultz
MPH - ADVISOR
Haleigh Schultz is a passionate public health professional with a background in health communication, project management, and mobilizing local public health efforts in the state of Vermont. Committed to sustainable program implementation, her work is driven by evidence-based decision making, meaningful public health collaboration, and resilience building. Haleigh holds a BS in Biology from Wake Forest University and an MPH in Epidemiology and Climate & Health from Yale School of Public Health.
Haley Ortiz
MPPA - SENIOR DIRECTOR
Haley is a committed public health professional and strategic partner who joins BME Strategies after 15 years of service within Arkansas state government. She has a strong understanding of state government operations, specializing in substance use abatement, policy development, cross-sector collaboration, and large-scale grant administration. Recent roles include securing and managing the ADH’s CDC Public Health Infrastructure Grant and leading the formation of the ADH’s Substance Misuse and Injury Prevention Branch. Haley holds a BA in Sociology from Syracuse University and a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Massachusetts.
Ishaa Gadkari
MPH - COORDINATOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Ishaa Gadkari is a strategic public health professional with experience in business
development and project management. She has a strong understanding of state
government operations, specializing in grant management and
marketing/communications support. With expertise in proposal development and
partnership strategies, Ishaa has managed competitive proposal processes, securing
funding to advance program priorities and strategic goals.
Ishaa holds a BS in Public Health from Rutgers University and an MPH from New York
University School of Global Public Health.
Jackson Lieb
SENIOR Associate
Jackson Lieb is an emergency management professional with first hand experience on the frontlines of major disaster response. With a background in outdoor education, volunteer management, disaster planning, and wildland firefighting, he has a unique understanding of how preparedness plans are executed in the field. He is passionate about engaging and collaborating with communities to create equitable emergency preparedness plans. Jackson holds a BBA in Management from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Jamie Terry
MPH - SENIOR ADVISOR
Jamie Terry is a dedicated public health professional with over 23 years of experience in local government, specializing in environmental health, emergency preparedness, and regulatory compliance. She has a strong background in managing inspection services, advising Boards of Health on intricate matters, and developing local health regulations concerning septic systems, wells, and tobacco control. Holding certifications as a Registered Sanitarian, Licensed Soil Evaluator, and Certified Professional Food Inspector, Jamie is also fully compliant with ICS/NIMS standards.
Most recently, she served as an Emergency Preparedness Planner for Region 2 Public Health, where she supported 74 cities and towns in Central Massachusetts through EDS planning, emergency drills, and regional response coordination. Her contributions were significant during Central Massachusetts’ COVID-19 response, and she authored the region’s comprehensive After Action Report. Known as a proactive leader and a strong advocate for community well-being, Jamie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education and is currently completing her Master of Public Health at Boston University. She is deeply committed to strengthening public health systems and building local capacity to ensure communities are better prepared, more resilient, and served effectively and equitably.
Janice Chen
MPH - ADVISOR
Jazmin Archer
MPH - SENIOR ADVISOR
Jazmin Archer is an experienced public health program management and multi-stakeholder coordination leader. Prior to joining BME Strategies, she served as a Health Scientist at the CDC’s Division of Global HIV & TB, where she led agency-wide coordination of a country portfolio in Haiti, aligning finance, data, and technical teams across headquarters, diplomatic bureaus, and in-country staff to drive cohesive programmatic and communications strategies. Her work spanned deep engagement with Ministries of Health, global donors, NGOs, implementing partners, and supply chain stakeholders to integrate clinical, prevention, surveillance, and commodity priorities into national health systems. She holds a Master of Public Health in Health Policy from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Transylvania University. Jazmin excels at translating complex performance and policy data into actionable strategies that advance health equity and strengthen public health systems for underserved communities.
Jennifer Kuzara
PHD, MPH - SENIOR DIRECTOR, MONITORING, EVALUATION & QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
Jennifer Rosauer
MPH - ADVISOR
Jennifer Rosauer is a public health professional with a background in epidemiology and data analytics. She has advised the Gates Foundation on global health initiatives, working across dashboard design, health systems modeling, and program strategy, and spent nearly 4 years in risk factor and burden estimation research for the Global Burden of Disease Study. She is passionate about using data to strengthen health systems and advance equity, both locally and globally. Jennifer holds an MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.
Jessica Sorcher
MS - SENIOR ADVISOR
Jessie Cornicello
MA -DIRECTOR, PROJECT & CHANGE MANAGEMENT
Jessie Cornicello is a strategic public health consultant with more than 15 years of experience supporting federal clients in public health training, technical assistance, and evaluation. She has led a wide range of behavioral health projects, with a strong emphasis on project management, data storytelling, and technology-enabled solutions. Jessie is known for her expertise in change management and her ability to drive innovative, evidence-based approaches that strengthen organizational capacity and impact. She holds an MA in Sociology from Columbia University and a BA in Sociology from Skidmore College.
Jordan Crummett
MS, CSM Senior Advisor
Jordan Crummett is a dedicated public health professional with experience in training and technical assistance, public health education, and program coordination. Her experience spans national public health initiatives, federally funded programs, and multi-sector partnerships, with a particular focus on overdose prevention and response, building capacity and partnerships, and health education. Jordan is a strategic and collaborative leader with experience developing and facilitating engaging learning opportunities, managing complex projects, and supporting teams across multiple states or jurisdictions. She prioritizes the development of people, programs, and partnerships to strengthen public health outcomes, and values innovation and continuous learning. Jordan holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and a Master of Science in Health Education, with a focus in Community Health, from the University of Florida. Jordan is also a Certified Scrum Master (CSM).
Julia Metri
MPH - ADVISOR
Justin Wheeler
MPS - SENIOR ADVISOR
Justin Wheeler is a skilled communications strategist and visual designer with extensive experience supporting public-sector, nonprofit, and mission-driven organizations. With a background spanning graphic design, data analysis, strategy, and storytelling, Justin blends research, facilitation, and modern design practices to create effective communication tools that resonate with diverse audiences. Justin has led communication efforts across sectors including economic development, conservation, and scientific research, transforming complex content into clear and engaging design solutions. Justin holds a Master’s in Data Analysis and Visualization from the Maryland Institute College of Art.
Karen Contador
MPH - SENIOR DIRECTOR
Karen Contador has 11 years of public health experience working internationally and domestically in both private and public sectors. She has worked with policymakers and agencies from over 50 countries particularly in strengthening health systems through program management, capacity building, improving the quality of health services, and addressing opportunities in organizational structure. She holds a B.S. in Human Physiology from Boston University and a MPH in Health Policy and Law and Global Health from Boston University. In addition to English she speaks fluent Spanish and is conversational in French and Portuguese.
Katja Jacobs
MPH - SENIOR Associate
Katja Jacobs (she/her) brings to BME Strategies a background as a researcher focused on health outcomes and accessibility in the Deaf community, complemented by her experience as an American Sign Language interpreter. She is passionate about leveraging research to validate lived experiences and advocating for solutions that address root causes of health inequities, a commitment that stems from her identity as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). Katja is especially interested in exploring how investing in the built environment and improving urban mobility can serve as mechanisms for achieving racial and health equity. She holds an MPH in Community Health and Program Management from Boston University and a BA in Medical Anthropology and Global Health from the University of Washington.
Kelley Hiland
RN - DIRECTOR, CLINICAL CARE ACCESS
Kelley Hiland is a Registered Nurse and public health systems leader with over a decade of experience building and scaling systems of care across local and regional health delivery settings. Her work spans public health departments, healthcare and community-based organizations, and multi-jurisdictional collaborations, with a focus on improving access to care, chronic disease prevention and management, behavioral health, substance use services, and supports for aging populations. She brings a practical understanding of the operational, policy, and financing conditions that shape care delivery at the local and regional level.
Kelley has led efforts to strengthen system capacity through data modernization, integration of billing and evaluation to support sustainability, and workforce development strategies that reinforce care teams. This includes designing and embedding Community Health Worker models as core system infrastructure and advancing shared-service approaches that improve coordination and efficiency. Her work reflects a systems mindset grounded in clinical practice and a commitment to upstream strategies that address structural drivers of health inequities.
Kristen Jussila
MANAGER, MARKETING
Kristen Jussila is a multidisciplinary designer and brand strategist with experience supporting research, cultural, and nonprofit institutions. She has led comprehensive brand launches, multi-channel marketing campaigns, and cross-functional initiatives for global brands and health policy institutes. Her work focuses on translating complex research and policy priorities into clear, cohesive visual identities that strengthen positioning and audience engagement. Kristen studied industrial design at the Savannah College of Art and Design and holds a Bachelor of Science from Keene State College, grounding her work in systems thinking and human-centered design.
Kyla Botsian
MPH - ADVISOR
Kyla Botsian is dedicated to advancing health equity through community driven work. In the past, Kyla worked in medical education where she enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives for medical professionals and students. Kyla also has experience working with non-profit organizations that serve individuals experiencing housing insecurity, where she employed data analysis to aid in capacity building and program development. She holds a B.S. in Public Health and Sociology from Simmons University and an MPH from Boston University with concentrations in Epidemiology/Biostatistics and Community Assessment, Program design, implementation & evaluation.
Leanne Lasher
MPH - SENIOR ADVISOR
Leanne is a senior public health analytics leader with over 20 years of experience advancing data-driven decision-making across national, state, and local public health systems. She specializes in translating complex health data into clear, actionable insights that inform policy, strategy, and program implementation. Leanne has led large-scale data initiatives, including statewide COVID-19 analytics and the development of ASTHO’s nationally recognized public health infrastructure data platform. Leanne holds a BS in Biology and Psychology from Tulane University and a MPH from Brown University.
Lee Augenblick
Senior Associate
Lee Augenblick is a public health professional with experience in stakeholder
engagement, program management, and health systems improvement. Her work
has spanned community-based initiatives, quality improvement, and cross-sector
partnerships, with a focus on translating complex public health priorities and
community perspectives into actionable strategies. She is passionate about data-
informed solutions and sustainability and brings a collaborative, strategic, and
implementation-focused approach to her work. Prior to joining BME Strategies,
Lee led a grassroots substance use initiative in Austin, Texas, convening people
with lived experience, healthcare and social service providers, and public-sector
partners to inform systems-level planning and change. Lee holds a MPH in
Health Services Policy and Management and a BS in Public Health from the
University of South Carolina.
Lissie Elorza
MPH - Associate
Lissie Elorza is a public health professional dedicated to advancing health equity and building resilient community infrastructure through strategic planning, program design, and implementation. Her experience includes managing USG-funded global health initiatives, advocating for national public health policy, and promoting local health education. Lissie’s approach integrates creativity with evidence-based methods to ensure both equity and long-term impact. She holds a B.A. in Biology and Society from Cornell University and a Master of Public Health from Boston University.
Luca Miller
Associate
Maddie Humphrey
MSc. Public Health Advisor
Maddie has experience working in local public health, the global nonprofit sector, and academic research settings, having served with the Nantucket Health Department, the Foundation for African Medicine and Education, and Massachusetts General Hospital’s Medical Practice Evaluation Center. Across these roles, she has built expertise in project management, HIV and infectious disease research, clinical research coordination, grant management, and global and community health. Maddie is dedicated to strengthening the systems and partnerships that improve health outcomes for underserved populations and is motivated by the challenge of translating research and policy into practical, sustainable solutions for the communities that need them most. She holds an MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Maia Fulton-Black
MPH - ADVISOR
Maia Fulton-Black is an experienced public health professional with a background in program evaluation, community health assessment, and implementation of data-driven initiatives. She is dedicated to leveraging data to advance health equity and strengthening local public health systems through leadership and collaboration with communities and stakeholders. She has an MPH in Epidemiology/Biostatistics and a BA in International Relations with a concentration in Global Health, Nutrition, and the Environment from Tufts University.
Manizeh Afridi
MPH - SENIOR MANAGER
Manizeh Afridi is a passionate public health visionary dedicated to redefining public health in the United States. As a former regional epidemiologist for the MetroWest Shared Public Health Services and the founder of the Regional Epidemiology Working Group of Massachusetts, she brings invaluable insights into the complexities of local public health systems. Through her work she has identified critical areas for improvement and established a strategic vision for long-term success.Manizeh holds a Master’s degree in Public Health with a focus on Health Policy and Management from the New York University School of Global Public Health.
Marcus Vizzutti
MPH - SENIOR ADVISOR
Marcus Vizzutti is an accomplished Public Health professional with a background in data analysis and visualizations, quality improvement, and program management. At the Louisiana Department of Health, he led numerous Maternal and Child Health programs in modernizing their data capture, analysis, and reporting systems with focus on sustainable continuous quality improvement. Marcus is committed to promoting equitable practices and healthcare access in all aspects of his work. He has a master’s degree in Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
Meghan Rowley
Manager, Business Development
Meghan is a business development strategist and proposal management professional with over seven years of experience securing competitive partnerships and managing millions of dollars in funding from government, foundation, and multilateral clients. Her work has supported international development, domestic philanthropy, and professional service programs across mission-driven consulting firms and nonprofit organizations. Meghan is passionate about developing collaborative, evidence-based, inclusive practices that win new business, design innovative programs, and create meaningful social change. She is fluent in Spanish and holds a B.A. in Public Policy from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!).
Meghan Russell
MPH - DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC PLANNING
Meghan Russell comes to BME Strategies with experience in strategic planning, project management, food systems, and public health advocacy. Her public health work has focused on addressing social determinants of health and strengthening the local public health infrastructure in Massachusetts. Meghan enjoys bringing diverse groups of people together to work across systems, improving efficiency and advancing equity and sustainability. She holds a BA of Arts in History and Spanish from Penn State University and a Master ‘s degree in Liberal Arts in Food Policy from Boston University.
Melanie Mackin
MPH - SENIOR ADVISOR
Melanie Mackin is a public health and healthcare analyst passionate about capacity building, improving population health outcomes, and fostering more resilient communities. With experience as a surveillance epidemiologist and emergency preparedness analyst, she has led a diverse portfolio of research projects focused on enhancing public health initiatives and strengthening healthcare delivery systems to address health inequities. Melanie enjoys collaborating with cross-sector teams and advancing public-private partnerships to achieve shared goals. She holds an MPH in Epidemiology from The George Washington University and a BA in Public Health from Elon University.
Nikki Williams
MBA, MUP - SENIOR ADVISOR
Nikki Williams is a workforce and economic development professional with over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and public sectors. Nikki focuses on workforce development, economic mobility, and rural health projects and initiatives. She is a trained facilitator who centers relationship-building, positive engagement, and equity in her approaches. Before joining BME Strategies, she led an independent consulting practice, partnering with nonprofits and public agencies in Maine and New York City on workforce, economic development, youth engagement, and immigrant integration projects. She recently wrapped up a three-year project funded by the Maine Department of Labor to design and lead a first-of-its-kind statewide Oral Health Industry Partnership aimed at expanding access to preventative oral health care in rural areas throughout the state. Nikki has a B.A. from Barnard College, a dual Executive MBA from Brown University and IE Business School in Madrid, Spain and a Master’s in Urban Planning from New York University.
Rebecca Han
MPH - ADVISOR
Rebecca Han brings experience in strategic planning, program design, capacity building, and program evaluation to BME Strategies. Previously, she worked at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health with programs that aimed to address root causes of health inequities by building capacity of local governments and community-based organizations to implement policy, systems, and environmental change with multi-sector partnerships and community residents. She enjoys problem solving and collaborating with stakeholders to design and implement equitable community-driven solutions. Rebecca received her Master’s of Public Health from Emory University.
Roberto Santamaria
DrPH, MPH, MBA – SENIOR DIRECTOR
Roberto Santamaria is a public health and healthcare leader with more than 16 years of experience across government, nonprofit, and community-based organizations. His expertise includes public health systems transformation, behavioral health, organizational strategy, emergency preparedness, and health equity. Before joining BME Strategies, Roberto served as CEO of Fairwinds Behavioral Health Center and as Director of Health and Human Services for the Town and County of Nantucket. He holds a DrPH in Health Equity and Social Justice from Johns Hopkins University, an MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Boston University, an MBA in Management from Salve Regina University, and a BS in Molecular Biology and Microbiology from the University of Central Florida.
Samantha Wasala
MPH - ADVISOR
Sehba Wani
ASSOCIATE
Sehba is a data & research professional whose work spans education, pharmaceutical sciences, IT, and Human-Computer Interaction, all centered on data-driven problem solving. She helps organizations make sense of AI through building digital literacy, integrating automated solutions, and guiding technology adoption through a change management lens. Coming from the federal landscape, she’s dedicated to the world of civic technology by building tools and systems that uplift organizations and communities tackling complex problems for the public good. She holds a B.S. in Computer and Information Science from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Shelby Rothstein Stanton
MSW - Senior Manager, People & Culture
Shelby Rothstein Stanton (she/her) is a dedicated People and Culture professional with nearly a decade of experience supporting mission-driven and nonprofit organizations. She is passionate about helping organizations build strong, values-aligned teams and creating people practices that allow staff to thrive. Shelby’s work focuses on recruitment strategy and building thoughtful people systems that support growth; she has led full-cycle hiring for a wide range of roles and enjoys partnering with teams to design equitable, effective systems. Shelby holds a Master of Social Work from Fordham University and a Bachelor of Social Work from Appalachian State University. Her background in social work informs her people-centered approach to talent, culture, and organizational development.
Sigalle Reiss
MPH - VICE PRESIDENT, PUBLIC HEALTH
Sigalle Reiss brings over 23 years of experience in local public health in Massachusetts. She most recently served as the Director of Public Health and Human Services for the Town of Brookline, where she led a comprehensive Community Health Assessment and developed a Community Health Improvement Plan. Her work prioritized the social determinants of health and integrated health equity into actionable strategies aimed at improving outcomes for all residents.
Throughout her career, Sigalle has held multiple leadership roles within the Massachusetts Health Officers Association, including serving as President from 2020 to 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this role, she played a key part in shaping statewide policies that supported local health departments in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 across the Commonwealth.
Sigalle is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist. She holds a Master of Public Health from Boston University and a Certificate in Local Government Leadership and Management from Suffolk University and the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
Sophie Peterson
Executive COORDINATOR
Sophie Peterson brings over a decade of experience providing high-level administrative and operational support across both corporate and private family office settings. With a background in house management, she offers a unique blend of adaptability, professionalism, and service-oriented mindfulness. As our Executive Assistant, Sophie oversees scheduling, travel logistics, inbox and calendar management, event operations, and team-wide coordination – all in support of advancing our mission to build more equitable public health systems.
Soup
Chief Barketing Officer
Soup serves as BME Strategies’ Chief Barketing Officer, where she focuses on team morale, emotional support, and keeping the office on its toes (…literally). A natural leader in the field of playtime innovation, Soup has extensive experience in treat acquisition and fetching leads with dogged determination. When she’s not hard at work supervising Zoom calls or napping in strategic locations, Soup can be found on long walks, greeting neighbors, and advocating for more snack breaks. She is deeply committed to ensuring that the team at BME remembers to balance productivity with joy.
Stefanie Briggs
MPH - SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Stefanie Briggs is a public health professional passionate about building equitable, community-centered systems that improve health outcomes and expand access to opportunity. Throughout her work with the City and County of Denver’s Department of Public Health and Environment, she has partnered with nonprofits, schools, and community organizations to strengthen public health programs through thoughtful contract management, procurement, and continuous systems improvement. She believes the strongest public health solutions are shaped by community voices and informed by lived experience, balancing relationship-building with strategic, evidence-informed decision-making. Her work has supported initiatives addressing food insecurity, mental health and substance use, and overdose prevention. Stefanie holds a BS in Health Sciences and an MPH in Health Policy and Law from Boston University.
Tracey Perkins
MBA - VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE & OPERATIONS
Tracey Perkins is an experienced operations, finance, human resources, and project management leader. Prior to joining BME Strategies, she served as the Head of Finance and Operations at MCPSA, an organization committed to ensuring that children across Massachusetts have access to high-quality public schools. In addition to a decade with MCPSA in a variety of operations and project management roles, Tracey has held Chief of Staff positions at Animal Ventures, a technology consulting firm, and the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston. She has an MBA with a concentration in Public & Nonprofit Management/ Social Impact from Boston University, an MA in Art History from George Washington University, and a BA in Art History from Colby College. Tracey excels at building and refining operational processes to amplify her colleagues’ impact and ensure increased efficiencies across organizations.
Travis Green
MS - SENIOR MANAGER, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Travis is a strategic business development and proposal management professional with over a decade of experience driving partnerships and generating funding from government, foundations, and multilateral clients. He has supported organizations working in education, democracy and civic participation, workforce development, and health systems strengthening. He is fluent in Spanish, and holds an M.Sc. in International Development from the University of Birmingham (UK) and a B.A. in International Studies from Abilene Christian University.
Victoria Beltran
DrPH, MPH, CHES, CSE - SENIOR ADVISOR
Dr. Victoria M. Beltran is a public health practitioner with 15+ years of experience in nearly every focus area of public health. She has worked at the CDC, non-profit organizations, universities, and hospitals, focusing on health promotion, strategic planning, evaluation, and health equity work. Victoria graduated from NYU with a BA in Psychology and a MPH degree from Emory University. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist and an AASECT-Certified Sexuality Educator. She also holds a Doctor of Public Health degree from the University of South Florida. She is adjunct faculty at USF, an active member of the National Coalition for Sexual Health, and a committed volunteer in her local community. Victoria enjoys collaboration, public speaking, and education to improve health outcomes and create innovative public health solutions.
Yihua Joshua Lee
MPH - SENIOR ADVISOR
Yihua Lee is a public health professional with extensive experience in epidemiology, disease surveillance, financial analysis, and health policy. While serving the state of Texas, Yihua led the development of data-driven models and strategies to support statewide allocation of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, working in close collaboration with federal and local governments. He also conducted comprehensive caseload and expenditure forecast analyses for Texas Medicaid and other state-administered programs. Yihua holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology from Texas A&M University and is pursuing a PhD in Health Outcomes at The University of Texas at Austin with a focus on mental health and health disparity.