Our Team
Jeff Borofsky
State Data Center Coordinator
As State Data Center Coordinator, Jeff will work with key stakeholders and residents to help better understand the depth of data available in the US Census Bureau’s surveys. Jeff recently completed his post-baccalaureate certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Penn State. His free time is split between working on his Master’s in Spatial Data Science and his family.
Jason
Cheung
Senior Data Analyst
As the Senior Data Analyst, 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.
Kate Bittinger Eikel
Data Integration Strategist
Kate serves as the Data Integration Strategist for the Hartford Data Collaborative, and coordinates with stakeholders from state agencies, community providers, and philanthropic partners on HDC data integration projects and reporting milestones. She is the liaison to the evaluator and data partners for the Greater Hartford Re-Entry Welcome Center. She also convenes and manages the Hartford Data Collaborative’s governing bodies, including Executive Board and the Data Oversight Committee.
Fionnuala Darby-Hudgens
Director of Data Strategic Planning
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.
Sarah
Eisele-Dyrli
Assistant Director
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.
Geethika Fernando
Data & Community Engagement Manager
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.
Chenfei Ma
Data Analyst
As the data analyst, Chenfei supports the mission of CTData by working with data to extract meaningful insights that help organizations, communities and government agencies make better decisions. She is also involved with the Hartford Data Collaboration to facilitate data sharing and data integration. With her background in statistics, education and psychology, she is passionate about making sure people understand and use data responsibly. Outside of work, Chenfei loves spending time with her family, traveling, cooking and trying new delicious foods.
Michelle Riordan-Nold
Executive Director
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.
Jackie Vancour
Data Engagement Specialist
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.
Jill Walsh
GIS & Data Analyst
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.
Cynthia Willner
Senior Research Associate
As the Senior Research Associate, Cynthia analyzes public data to yield policy-relevant insights and inform data-driven decision-making. 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, exploring the CT coastline, and practicing mindfulness meditation.
Wenyu Xie
Multimedia Design and Operations Manager
With a background in graphic design, Wenyu 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.