Dr. Ismar Volić is a Professor of Mathematics and the Director of the Institute for Mathematics and Democracy at Wellesley College. He graduated from Boston University and received his Ph.D. in mathematics from Brown University. His research is in topology and social choice theory. He is the author of many articles and books and has delivered more than two hundred lectures in some twenty countries. He was a visiting professor at MIT and the University of Virginia. His writing has appeared in publications such as The Hill, TIME, and LitHub. His latest book, Making Democracy Count: How Mathematics Improves Voting, Electoral Maps, and Representation, won the Mathematical Association of America’s Euler Prize and was a finalist for the PROSE award given by the Association of American Publishers. The book is based on The Mathematics of Democracy, a popular course he created and has taught for several years at Wellesley.

Stephanie Thomas is Connecticut’s 75th Secretary of the State

Stephanie Thomas was sworn in as Connecticut’s Secretary of the State on January 4, 2023. With a distinguished 30-year career advising and problem-solving for nonprofit organizations, running her own business, and serving as a State Representative of the 143rd District (Norwalk, Wilton, Westport), Secretary Thomas brings a unique blend of business expertise and a passion for civics to public service.
 
Since taking office, Secretary Thomas has led the implementation of significant election reforms in the state, including the roll-out of early voting and a new centralized voter registration system. In September 2023, she secured a historic investment of $25 million to replace the state’s aging tabulators, marking Connecticut’s first voting machine upgrade since 2006. During her term, Secretary Thomas will also institute the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of Connecticut and automatic voter registration at several Connecticut agencies.
 
A former small business owner, Secretary Thomas has worked to pass business-friendly legislation, and she has created a monthly e-newsletter that aggregates funding and training resources in one place to save business owners’ time.

Secretary Thomas believes that a healthy representative democracy relies on regular and active participation in civic life by all. To promote robust civic engagement, she has met Connecticut’s communities in their own spaces, thereby cultivating a nonpartisan dialogue between the people and their government. She has travelled to barbershops and salons around the state as part of her Connect & Cut series, held civic trivia events at local libraries, encouraged businesses and nonprofits to be civic ambassadors through her innovative CEO (Civically Engaged Organization) program, and put the power of civics into the hands of the public by providing plain-language, civics resources at Civics101.ct.gov.

Secretary Thomas made history as the first Black person to be elected Secretary of the State of Connecticut. She has dedicated time to serving on many boards and strategic planning committees, and she has been an active volunteer in her community. She holds a B.A. from New York University and an M.S. in Nonprofit Management from New School University. She and her husband are proud residents of Norwalk, Connecticut.

Sean Scanlon began his term as Comptroller in 2023, succeeding Natalie Braswell.

The son of a police officer and small business owner, Sean attended Guilford public schools and worked his way through high school and Boston College. After graduating, Sean returned to Connecticut with the goal of helping others. He began working as an aide for U.S. Senator Chris Murphy where he helped the Senator fight for gun safety and better health care, as well as addressing constituent concerns. In Guilford, he worked with neighbors to organize successful grassroots campaigns to build a new high school and institute a full-day kindergarten.

In 2014, Sean was elected State Representative for Connecticut’s 98th District. In the House, Sean became a champion for health care reform, a passion rooted in his own life experiences coming from a family that was often uninsured or underinsured.

As chairman of the legislature’s Insurance Committee, Sean wrote and passed legislation protecting people with pre-existing conditions from insurance discrimination, established the lowest monthly co-pay cap for insulin in the nation at $25, prevented insurance companies from covering mental health differently than physical health, required health insurance plans to cover ten “Essential Health Benefits,” and created Connecticut’s first prescription drug price transparency law.

During his fourth and final term, Sean served as Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding committee where he led the fight to create tax relief for working families like the one he grew up in and worked with Governor Lamont to pass the largest tax cut in state history.

Outside of the legislature, Sean previously served as Executive Director of Tweed-New Haven Airport, where he secured a $100 million public-private investment deal, brought in a new air carrier, and created over 100 new community jobs.

Sean lives in Guilford with his wife Meghan, who is the President & CEO of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, their two young sons Jack and Declan.

David Griggs is President and CEO of the MetroHartford Alliance, the Hartford region’s business and economic development organization that drives economic prosperity through job retention and creation and promotes the Greater Hartford Region as an exceptional place to build a business, an industry, a career and a future. In this role, Mr. Griggs works with leaders of the region’s private-sector employers to ensure that the organization is strongly positioned to leverage economic development opportunities through planning, research, data and marketing. He also partners with public-sector decisionmakers to secure a financial base that will enhance the Alliance’s capacity to drive economic growth, retain jobs and create new ones in a variety of sectors for generations.

Mr. Griggs holds a Bachelor of Science, Urban Planning and Regional Analysis, from the State University of New York, Buffalo State College, and a Master of Planning degree from the University at Buffalo and has achieved the CEcD professional certification through the International Economic Development Council as well as the EDFP certification through the National Development Council. David holds a seat on the Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) as well as multiple local and regional boards.

As the Director of Data and Analytics, Jason supports the mission of CTData by guiding organizations to make informed decisions through data analysis, as well as developing data literacy across Connecticut. With a background in actuarial science, Jason understands the power of data and strives to serve his community through the responsible use of data. When Jason is not working, you can find him at a climbing gym or, more likely, covered in flour making sourdough bread.

As the GIS & Data Analyst, Jill Walsh supports CTData’s mission by conducting data and geospatial analyses for initiatives across several areas of CTData, including the Hartford Data Collaborative. Jill has a background in city planning and is passionate about the responsible use of data for informed community decision-making. In her free time, Jill enjoys spending time with friends and family, going for walks, and reading.

With a background in graphic design, Wenyu Xie specializes in crafting visually appealing infographics for various projects. Additionally, she showcases her creativity by producing engaging videos for different programs. As an Operations Manager, she manages grants in Salesforce and assists with various operational needs. With experience helping people with disabilities, she aims to provide accessible data for the public. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, camping, and exploring New England.

Kate Bittinger Eikel serves as the Data Integration Strategist for the Hartford Data Collaborative, an integrated data project at CTData working with nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and philanthropic partners in Hartford. As Director of the Hartford Youth Data Fellowship program, she recruits and trains Hartford youth ages 17-24 in data analysis and research skills to co-develop community projects. Her prior experience includes program evaluation and project management in the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. Kate holds a bachelors degree from Barnard College, Columbia University and a master’s in public policy from the University of Chicago- Harris School of Public Policy. 

Trisha holds an MS in Electronic Media and brings over 20 years of experience deeply rooted in community engagement, multimedia design, and health equity. Since transitioning to instructional design in 2021, Trisha has focused on public health, DEI+B, patient care, and workforce development training projects that advance equity and social justice. As a CDC E-Learning Fellow, she blends art, technology, educational theories, and adult learning principles to create inclusive, accessible, interactive, and engaging learning solutions that lead to measurable program outcomes and success. At HDI, through community collaboration, Trisha oversees developing, implementing, and evaluating tailored educational programs such as workshops, seminars, and online learning.

Her specialty and interests include Community Engagement, Curriculum Development, Learning Experience Design, Project-Based Learning, Social Learning, Training Evaluation, Project Management, Design Thinking, Workshop Facilitation, and Accessibility and Universal Design for Learning.

Linda Sprague Martinez, Ph.D. (she, her, hers), is a Professor in the Department of Medicine and the Department of Public Health Sciences, at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and Director of the Health Disparities Institute at UConn Health. Dr. Sprague Martinez has expertise in health equity and the social determinants of health; community based participatory research (CBPR) and youth led participatory action research (YPAR); photovoice; community assessment and mobilization; and qualitative research methods and analyses. Having formerly worked in municipal and state governance, and as an adolescent mental health provider, Dr. Sprague Martinez brings practical expertise in cross sector collaborations and resident engagement. She was a 2017 Boston Housing Authority, Center for Community Engagement and Civil Rights, Resident Empowerment Coalition, Resident Empowerment Honoree. In 2023, Dr. Sprague Martinez received the NIH HEAL Director’s Award for Community Partnerships, for her work with the HEALing Communities Study. Her research has been funded by NIH, OBSSR and PCORI, as well as by local foundations.

Samaila Adelaiye joined the Partnership for Strong Communities in February 2024 as a Research and Policy Fellow, bringing with him years of experience in research methodology, data analysis, and policy analysis.

With a profound passion for research and evidence-based policy, he has dedicated himself to various projects, including research on evictions, affordable housing, and housing security in Connecticut. His contributions to research extend beyond local housing issues, with publications in academic journals covering topics such as development, international economic relations, and international security.

Before joining the Partnership, Samaila served as a Research and Policy Fellow with Connecticut Voices for Children, focusing on family economic security and housing policy. Additionally, he has shared his expertise as a political science lecturer at several universities, teaching courses on international relations and the politics of development.

Samaila holds a PhD in Political Science from the University at Buffalo, as well as an MS degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Aberdeen and a BS degree in International Studies from Ahmadu Bello University.

Dr. Debarchana (Debs) Ghosh is a Professor of Geography, Sustainability, Urban, and Community Studies at the University of Connecticut, holding a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, an M.Phil. and M.A. from Jawaharlal Nehru University, and a B.Sc. from Presidency College in India. Since joining UConn in 2011, she has made significant contributions to Geographic Information Science by bridging spatial thinking with emerging technologies to address human health issues, with expertise spanning GIS, spatial statistics, social network analysis, mobile technology, and Public Participatory GIS.

Beyond her widely published interdisciplinary research, Dr. Ghosh is a committed educator who integrates research into pedagogy and actively serves the academic community through leadership roles including Chair of the National Councilors of the American Association of Geographers, Vice Chair of AAG's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, Chair of the Health and Medical Geography Specialty Group, and board member of the Spatial Analysis and Modeling Specialty Group, among other positions.

Kevin Neary is a Policy Development Coordinator in the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management’s Criminal Justice Policy and Planning division (OPM CJPPD), directing the activities of the Research Unit. Having joined OPM CJPPD in 2020, Kevin leads efforts to conduct ongoing, in-depth analyses of Connecticut’s criminal justice system and its components, determining long-range needs, and enhancing system understanding for policymakers and the public. Prior to joining OPM, Kevin worked for nine years as a consulting researcher in Abt Associates U.S. Health practice, contributing to numerous quantitative and mixed-methods research evaluation projects on criminal justice and behavioral health topics. With expertise leading the collection, analysis, and visualization of data for research purposes, Kevin is dedicated to utilizing research to guide policy that supports healthy communities. He holds a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor of Arts from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.

Paul Klee joined the Tow Youth Justice Institute in September 2022, as a non-Faculty Researcher. Paul will be assisting the Associate Director, JJPOC Project Manager and Director of Research, with research-related duties specific to the work of the JJPOC and achieving its goals as outlined in the strategic plan and identified through legislation. He is responsible for developing a research plan, operationalizing the research activities, drafting, and presenting recommendations for legislative consideration, and producing reports that are released to specific identified legislative committees.

In addition, Paul is an Adjunct Instructor at the University of New Haven teaching The UNCommon Course (UNIV 1125) and Quantitative Applications in Criminal Justice (CJST 2251). . As a Ph.D. student, Paul served as a Doctoral Research Fellow at the Tow Youth Justice Institute, conducted research as a Liberty Initiative Scholar.  As a fourth-year Ph.D. student, Paul has completed coursework and is halfway through the completion of his comprehensive exams.

Paul obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Criminal Justice with a minor in Social Justice at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Amanda Crociata is the Director of Account Management at Connie, Connecticut’s state-designated Health Information Exchange (HIE). In this role, she leads a team responsible for engaging and onboarding healthcare organizations across the state, including hospitals, health systems, labs, payers, and state agencies. With over 15 years of experience in healthcare operations, post-acute care, and health IT strategy, Amanda is passionate about driving interoperability and helping stakeholders leverage real-time clinical data to improve care coordination and outcomes. She serves on Connie’s senior leadership team, where she helps shape strategic initiatives and ensure alignment with the organization’s mission to advance data-driven healthcare in Connecticut.

Russell Dexter is the Director of Analytics and Data Quality for Connie, Connecticut’s designated health information exchange. In his role, he works with organizations to understand how they are using data to support their models of care and then collaborates with them to ensure that the quality of the data is optimized. Russ has over twenty years of experience in healthcare management and quality improvement, including experience with programs for underserved populations. Prior to joining Connie, he provided leadership, training, and consulting to healthcare organizations on quality improvement, practice transformation, and compliance efforts. Russ is also a lecturer at Eastern CT State University, where he teaches an undergraduate course on Information Management and a graduate course on Healthcare Services Management.

Tamilla Triantoro, Ph.D., is a global voice on Artificial Intelligence, Human-AI Collaboration, and the Future of Work. An Associate Professor at Quinnipiac University and former director of Business Analytics programs at Quinnipiac and UConn, she explores how humans and intelligent systems can thrive together. Her research spans six continents - from academic keynotes to industry summits - bridging data, technology, and a human-centered approach. Dr. Triantoro earned her Ph.D. from the City University of New York, where she studied online user behavior. She serves on the council of the Human-Machine Interaction Research Center and is the co-author of Converging Minds: The Creative Potential of Collaborative AI, written with Aleksandra Przegalińska.

Fionnuala, better known as Finn, joined CTData to implement and run CTData’s Data Strategic Planning program. Finn brings a decade of nonprofit management experience to Data Strategic Planning, and helps organizations learn how to measure their impact, improve their storytelling, and develop new ways to evaluate the power of their mission. She completed her undergraduate work at Trinity College and earned a master’s in public administration from the University of Connecticut. In her free time, Finn enjoys spending time with her children and reading BookTok’s trending fiction.

Elizabeth Rose is a Data Strategy Coach at CT Data. She brings over a decade of experience in Connecticut’s nonprofit sector to this role, ranging from leadership roles at museums and history organizations to managing education grants for K-12 teachers. She holds a Ph.D. with a specialization in women’s history as well as a degree in library science and has written two books on the evolution of childcare and early education in the United States. She has focused on engaging the public with storytelling in all kinds of formats; you can view some of her past exhibitions and digital projects here. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, reading and talking about books, and traveling.

Sarah Szczebak is the Director of Grants and Compliance for YWCA Hartford Region, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women and their families. In her role as Director, she is responsible for both pre- and post-award grant management. Sarah holds a master’s degree in Regional Planning from University of Massachusetts Amherst and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Western New England University; her educational focus has prepared her for a career based in analysis, research, and social processes. Sarah has 20 years of experience in managing grants and ensuring compliance. Prior to her current role at YWCA Hartford Region, Sarah’s roles also involved program management, which has given her insight into participant needs and potential data collection issues. Sarah is particularly passionate about affordable housing, firmly believing that everyone has the right to safe, decent, affordable housing.

Mary Dunne is an Architectural Historian with the State Historic Preservation Office. In this capacity she is the municipal preservation services coordinator and also serves as advisor and trainer for the 86 local historical commissions across the state. She also manages a variety of state and federal grant programs.

Prior to working for the State Historic Preservation Office, Mary was Executive Director of the Manchester Historical Society in Manchester CT and was Preservation Services Officer for the New Haven Preservation Trust.

Prior to moving to Connecticut in 1998, Mary lived and worked in Washington, DC, starting her career in the Preservation Office of the Old Executive Office Building (now the Eisenhower Executive Office Building), a National Historic Landmark building.

Mary earned a Master of Arts degree in Preservation Studies from Boston University in 2000 and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature from James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Virginia).

Julie Carmelich is an Historian with the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) located within the Department of Economic and Community Development. Since her start at the SHPO in 2008, Julie’s primary responsibility has been administering the State and Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Programs. When not working on tax credit projects, Julie’s other duties include monitoring the preservation restriction program and managing the office’s social media accounts and quarterly newsletter. Julie has over 24 years of professional preservation experience in the private and public sectors. Her private sector work includes positions in cultural resources management where she worked to assess the impact of federally funded projects on historic resources as required under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. She also served as a Stewardship Manager for Historic New England, where she monitored the preservation restrictions of properties throughout New England. Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Colgate University and a Master of Arts degree in Preservation Studies from Boston University.

Oluwaseyi Oluborode is a rising senior in Hartford Public Schools, and a youth researcher with the Institute of Community Research and the Youth Action Hub. As part of her role in her school's social justice group, Oluwaseyi has played a leading part in advocating for legislation that addresses disparities in transit access among youth, specifically as it pertains to their ability to attend school. She is deeply invested in pushing for a society where young people are more connected and involved in prosocial communities, and she believes this starts with increasing youth mobility.

Andrew Bolger is a Senior Research and Data Analyst in the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority’s Research, Marketing, and Outreach Department. In this role he manages CHFA’s housing database, tracks and analyzes housing market conditions, and evaluates CHFA programs. He received a BA in Economics and Political Science and an MA in Public Policy from the University of Connecticut.

As the GIS & Data Analyst, Jill supports CTData’s mission by conducting data and geospatial analyses for initiatives across several areas of CTData, including the Hartford Data Collaborative. Jill has a background in city planning and is passionate about the responsible use of data for informed community decision-making. In her free time, Jill enjoys spending time with friends and family, going for walks, and reading.

Geethika manages the Hartford Data Collaborative initiative at the Connecticut Data Collaborative. She is responsible for the development and implementation efforts of the shared data infrastructure; including stakeholder engagement, communication, oversight of the data license request process, and governance processes. Geethika loves to spend quality time with her preschooler. In her free time she likes to make beautiful crafts, read personal development books and write in her native language.

As the Director of Data and Analytics, Jason supports the mission of CTData by guiding organizations to make informed decisions through data analysis, as well as developing data literacy across Connecticut. With a background in actuarial science, Jason understands the power of data and strives to serve his community through the responsible use of data. When Jason is not working, you can find him at a climbing gym or, more likely, covered in flour making sourdough bread.

As the Research Analyst, Chase works on research and data projects to inform policies, programs, and services in Connecticut in the areas of early childhood, housing, civil legal needs, and more. Chase holds a BA from Wesleyan University, and a PhD in Social Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, where he researched open-mindedness and intergroup attitudes. Over the years, Chase has worked for both community-based nonprofits and a large tech company.

Outside of his professional work, Chase is passionate about citizen science and actively contributes to platforms like iNaturalist. He enjoys photographing wildlife—from black bears to microscopic organisms—and otherwise spends his leisure time cooking, studying Italian, playing trivia, and enjoying many genres of music.

As the Program Evaluation Specialist, Keely works with organizations to identify key program goals and to design a framework to measure and evaluate program impact. She has a PhD in Sociology from the University of Notre Dame and a research focus on housing. Keely has worked in academia, research and advocacy nonprofits, and consulting firms over the course of her career. Most recently, she was a Senior Research Associate at Abt Global. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, dabbling in art projects, and running.

As Executive Director, Michelle helps the organization realize its mission through the implementation of the work. With an educational background in math and public policy, Michelle’s vision for CTData is to provide the public with accessible data that informs public decision making. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, writing poetry, and reading non fiction.

Sarah leads the CTData Academy, running both public and custom workshops that give individuals and organizations the skills to more effectively identify, analyze, and use the data relevant to them. She works on customized data support services with non-profit and state-agencies. She also worked to support a complete count of Connecticut residents in the 2020 Census. Sarah loves spending time with her family and baking with her kids. She is also an amateur photographer and musician, and a runner.

Ayawa Fiagbedzi is a data steward, evaluation practitioner, and learning systems designer. She’s interested in how data equity shapes Responsible AI. Ayawa is a Senior Associate at the Rockefeller Foundation and holds a Master’s in Economic Development from Columbia University SIPA.

For close to 30 years, Jacquelyn Santiago Nazario has been an advocate for underserved youth in her community. As CEO of COMPASS Youth Collaborative, she leads a team of people with lived experience to interrupt violence in the City of Hartford by building transformative relationships with youth living in the center of the violence. Jackie has secured over $12 million in new funding for COMPASS in her five years as CEO. Working with systems that affect our youth, Jackie advocates for positive change in education and juvenile justice. She is committed to her community and serves as the Vice Chair of the Human Relations Commissioner for the City of Hartford and Vice Chair of the Latino Endowment Fund. She is also a co-author in Becoming her: A Worthy and Hopeful Heart.

As the Senior Data Analyst at COMPASS Youth Collaborative, Mica supports the work of staff on the frontline of community-based change by empowering others to build their data literacy skills, facilitating data-informed decision-making, and communicating data insights effectively at all levels.

As the Director of Research, Cynthia leads projects collecting and analyzing data to inform policies and programs in Connecticut. She has a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University. Cynthia has previously worked as an Associate Research Scientist at the Yale Child Study Center and as a Research Analyst at the social policy research institute MDRC. In her free time, Cynthia enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and exploring the CT coastline.

Courtney is a Director with The Connecticut Project where she brings together people, ideas, and resources to build opportunity throughout the state of Connecticut. Specifically, Courtney develops and implements The Connecticut Project's Early Childhood Education and Care strategy focused on increasing access to affordable, high quality early childhood education and care for working class families. Prior to joining The Connecticut Project, Courtney managed a portfolio of early childhood policy initiatives at Bank Street College of Education. She also held leadership roles in the New York City Department of Education. Courtney lives with her husband and three children in Essex, Connecticut.

Kristine Cicchetti has been part of the Northeast Early Childhood Council (NECC) since 2013 and has served as Regional Director for the past decade. With a background in Marketing and Business Administration, Kristine brings her expertise to strengthening and sustaining an inclusive, collaborative network of stakeholders across the Council’s seven-town region. Under her leadership, the NECC fosters strategic partnerships, advances data-informed strategies, and coordinates efforts toward its mission to ensure that all children prenatal through age 10 are healthy, safe, and successful learners.

Kristine lives in Pomfret, located in Northeastern Connecticut, and enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, three children, and their rescue dog.

Cindy Dubuque-Gallo, LMSW, MAT is doctoral candidate at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work and a committed social justice advocate and political activist. She has served on numerous boards and commissions including the San Francisco Human Rights Advisory Board, the Hartford Commission for LGBT Issues, and currently the CT Coalition to End Homelessness Board of Directors. Cindy is passionate about political social work and has spoken at the Nancy Humphrey’s Campaign School for Political Social Work for nearly a decade and served as a congressional intern for Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA). Additionally, post MSW she has over 10 years of social work practice working as an educator, policy practitioner, and researcher. This work includes lobbying and consulting to promote social welfare policies to increase workers’ wages, to end homelessness to improve healthcare equity, affordability, quality and access, and reduce child food insecurity.

Cindy’s dissertation research focuses on the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)—aka universal free meals, of the National School Lunch Act. Using Geographic Information Systems software, she is examining the implementation of the CEP program across Connecticut school districts. This research is grounded in a disparate racial impact theory framework and seeks to determine if there is a disparate impact in the policy’s implementation. This research emerged from Cindy’s work as chair of Board of Missions at her church, when she learned that some students had hundreds of dollars of lunch debt in the first few months of school. Since the start of this research journey, Cindy has successfully lobbied for legislation that requires Connecticut schools to refer students with more than 30 meals worth of debt to the school’s homeless services liaison. Cindy is committed to actionable research that drives policy change.

With over 25 years of experience across corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors, Melvette Hill is a civic leader dedicated to family and community engagement. As Executive Director of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity, she is a passionate advocate for equity and works to ensure that everyone has access to opportunity and a voice in our democracy.

Yukiyo Iida is the Associate Director of Parent Leadership and Family Engagement at the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity. With over 20 years of experience working with families, youth, and communities, she is deeply committed to advancing equity through parent leadership and strengthening systems. Yukiyo believes that building partnerships and empowering families are essential to driving meaningful policy change.

As the Lead Asian American Pacific Islander Policy Analyst for the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity, Megan Baker pairs her expertise in mixed-methods research and public policy to drive legislative initiatives for Asian American Pacific Islanders across Connecticut. She is deeply committed to telling their stories through data equity and inclusion.

As the Data Engagement Specialist, Jackie (she/they) supports residents of Connecticut by instructing public and custom workshops designed to increase participants' data literacy. With her Master's in Community Psychology and focus on program development from the University of New Haven, she honed her passion for teaching. In her free time, you will find Jackie pursuing creative interests, such as drawing and pyrography, practicing meditation and yoga, and going on hikes in search of mushrooms.

Kate Bittinger Eikel serves as the Data Integration Strategist for the Hartford Data Collaborative, an integrated data project at CTData working with nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and philanthropic partners in Hartford. As Director of the Hartford Youth Data Fellowship program, she recruits and trains Hartford youth ages 17-24 in data analysis and research skills to co-develop community projects. Her prior experience includes program evaluation and project management in the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. Kate holds a bachelors degree from Barnard College, Columbia University and a master’s in public policy from the University of Chicago- Harris School of Public Policy. 

As the Director of Data and Analytics, Jason supports the mission of CTData by guiding organizations to make informed decisions through data analysis, as well as developing data literacy across Connecticut. With a background in actuarial science, Jason understands the power of data and strives to serve his community through the responsible use of data. When Jason is not working, you can find him at a climbing gym or, more likely, covered in flour making sourdough bread.

As the Research Analyst, Chase works on research and data projects to inform policies, programs, and services in Connecticut in the areas of early childhood, housing, civil legal needs, and more. Chase holds a BA from Wesleyan University, and a PhD in Social Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, where he researched open-mindedness and intergroup attitudes. Over the years, Chase has worked for both community-based nonprofits and a large tech company.

Outside of his professional work, Chase is passionate about citizen science and actively contributes to platforms like iNaturalist. He enjoys photographing wildlife—from black bears to microscopic organisms—and otherwise spends his leisure time cooking, studying Italian, playing trivia, and enjoying many genres of music.

Kimberly Montero, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Data Management (FACHDM), is a dedicated leader and advocate for women’s health. She serves as the Administrative Director of Women’s Health at Hartford Hospital and as the Women’s Data Governor for Hartford HealthCare, a comprehensive seven-hospital system in Connecticut. In both roles, she works to advance health equity, improve patient outcomes, and ensure data-driven decision-making in women's health services.

Ellyn brings over 15 years of expertise in healthcare analytics across pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organizations, and government agencies. She specializes in transforming complex health datasets into strategic, evidence-based recommendations through sophisticated epidemiological research methods and statistical analysis. Passionate about using data to promote healthcare equity, Ellyn focuses on integrating diverse data sources and addressing social determinants of health to inform strategies that create meaningful change.