To support our health equity projects across the United States, we have added to our dynamic team of lawyers, policy analysts, planners, and other professionals. Our new team members join us from across the country — Hawai’i to Washington, DC — increasing our ability to connect with partners in every geographic region.
Welcome, new staff members!
Erika Berrien is ChangeLab Solutions’ controller, working with the Finance and Development team to advance strong financial management and performance. With a deep background in finance, accounting, human resources, and operational leadership in diverse industries, Erika has held several senior management roles. She most recently served as finance and operations director for Gideon’s Promise, Inc., an organization that is building a movement of public defenders who provide equal justice for marginalized communities.
Amanda Fernandes joins us as a senior attorney; she works on law and policy in areas ranging from food systems to children’s mental health. Before joining the ChangeLab team, Amanda directed policy and advocacy programs for multiple Hawai’i-based civil rights and social justice nonprofit organizations. She has helped craft and advance legislation to address a range of issues, including LGBTQ+ rights, economic justice, tobacco control, chronic disease prevention, criminal legal reform, privacy and technology, and reproductive freedom.
Kristin Frontiera is chief of staff to the CEO. She organizes the Executive Department to support cross-departmental collaboration and project management. She also manages our board of directors’ annual plan to grow the board, optimize resources and time to support their work, and focus on strategic leadership and planning. Prior to joining us, Kristin worked as development director at the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), stewarding revenue and people power to advance WABA’s vision of a more just and sustainable transportation system in the District of Columbia region.
Shannon Rempe is an attorney working to advance health equity in multiple program areas, including good governance and health care. Previously, she was the health law fellow at the Kentucky Equal Justice Center (KEJC), where she was co-counsel on a federal class action lawsuit fighting against unconstitutional medical debt collection practices in Kentucky. She also laid the groundwork for KEJC’s work on reproductive justice and sexual rights.
Becca Rieckhoff works as an attorney for ChangeLab Solutions, supporting local governments, public health professionals, and community organizations on issues related to good governance, the social determinants of health, and health equity. Prior to joining us, Becca practiced as an attorney in Chicago, working in health care, food, and drug regulation, all while maintaining an active pro bono practice focused on health justice issues.
Kathleen Wasserman, our development manager, supports the growth of ChangeLab Solutions’ revenue streams in order to advance organizational goals and priorities. Prior to joining ChangeLab Solutions, Kathleen worked in a variety of fundraising positions at nonprofits and institutions of higher education. She most recently served as grants manager at a Boston-based nonprofit that seeks to improve health outcomes for people experiencing critical and chronic illnesses by providing medically tailored meals.
Renée Wilson-Simmons joins us as a managing director; she plans and implements work with partners like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Previously, Renée was executive director of ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) Awareness Foundation; director of the National Center for Children in Poverty; a faculty member in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health; and associate director of Evidence2Success, the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s model for improving outcomes related to children’s well-being.
4/13/2023