Hometown
Deerfield, IL
Undergraduate education
Bachelor’s degree in human development and psychological services, Northwestern University
Employer
Department of Health Services
Job title
Advanced Program and Policy Analyst
Start date
October 2020
Primary job responsibilities
- Design and oversight of Wisconsin’s Pandemic EBT programs
- Policy analysis/leadership for FoodShare-related enhancement projects
- Propose new health-focused initiatives for inclusion in future state budget cycles
Project assistantships while at the La Follette School
- Project Assistantship with the Posse Program (2-year appointment)
- Mentored 11 incoming undergraduate students and supported their transition to and persistence through their first 2 years of college
- Required project management skills (multi-tasking/balancing competing priorities, task tracking, communication, short-term and long-term goal planning, holding others accountable, maintaining program compliance), communication skills, and relationship-building skills – all utilized daily in my work at DHS
What awards or honors have you received since graduating?
- Putting Families First National Award (Presented to me by the USDA Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean in recognition of Pandemic EBT work/excellent service to customers)
- Selected to participate in Foundations of Leadership Program (2-year management training program for nominated DHS employees)
- Contributor to the Health Equity Diversity and Inclusion (HEDI) Sub-Committee at DHS
- Spearheaded Pandemic EBT implementation for Wisconsin since 2020 (Wisconsin is seen as a national leader/model)
- Pandemic EBT, first in the nation this year to be federally approved to run the program and issue benefits)
- Speaker at multiple conferences and webinars for state and national non-profit organizations