Our Team
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Janessa Graves, PhD, MPH | she/her
Janessa is a health services researcher with expertise in improving access to health care services in rural and underserved communities. With over 15 years of experience in public health research and engagement, she holds a PhD in Health Services Research and an MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health from the University of Washington School of Public Health.
Janessa is an expert in research study design, epidemiology, and quantitative data analysis. She has a proven track record of collecting and analyzing complex data from local, state, and federal sources. Her expertise in participatory community research approaches, including group concept mapping, makes her a valuable asset in engaging rural communities for evaluative and strategic planning efforts. -
Carmen Gonzalez, PhD | she/her/ella
Carmen Gonzalez holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Southern California and has extensive research experience in the areas of health communication, health disparities, and digital equity. As an expert in community-based research and research translation, she has worked with academic and community partners on a number of federally funded projects focused on health equity.
Carmen's research is focused on serving the needs of minoritized communities, particularly immigrant and Latino populations. She will lead and design Spanish language focus groups and interviews and will consult on survey design. -
Karin Ellis, MPH | she/her
Karin has over 20 years of experience working in public health - specializing in behavioral health, homeless services, and supportive housing.
She has worked with local and state health departments and national nonprofit organizations, facilitating needs assessments, strategic planning and system improvement efforts. She is trained in the Institute of Cultural Affairs Technology of Participation and Liberating Structures facilitation methods.
Karin currently works at Public Health - Seattle & King County on the Overdose Prevention and Response team.
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Cristina Ciupitu-Plath, MSc, DrPH | she/her
Cristina is a sociologist and public health professional with more than 10 years of experience in public health research and education. Her main research interests revolve around the health and well-being of pediatric populations and their families, quality of life in patients with chronic conditions, social and cultural diversity, as well as social inequity and stigmatization.
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Kristina Spade | she/her
Kristina is an Air Force brat born in the Philippines and raised in the South. She has great discipline for working out but no self-control when it comes to cheese fries or French pastry.
She likes her design concepts and files to be tidy but prefers her brainstorming sessions to be a hot mess. She loves learning new things, traveling to new places, cooking new dishes, and trying new experiences—except for durian, which she has tried but can't stand.
With 14 years of experience as an art director, Kristina still loves being a creative. Her portfolio can be viewed at www.kristinaspaid.com .
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Molly McKinney, RN, MPH | they/them
Molly McKinney is a licensed RN with an MS in Public Health. They specialize in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, writing, and health research. Their experience includes women’s health, suicide prevention, health education, and frontline healthcare.
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Angie Schirtzinger | she/her
Angie serves as the Administrative Assistant for Heidi Berthoud Consulting. With a Bachelor's degree in Recreation Programs Management from Ohio University, she has over eight years of experience in project management and engagement for food justice, conservation, and community wellness initiatives. Angie's journey has been centered in the nonprofit sector, where she has blended program coordination and communications to drive meaningful initiatives.
When not working, you can find Angie hiking in the mountains, practicing yoga, or exploring her creative side through art.