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Niko Dietsch has 20 years of experience working on domestic and international government initiatives to support the clean energy transition and improve air quality. Dietsch has expertise in clean energy policy evaluation, climate and air quality regulatory development, federal voluntary program delivery, and international capacity building. He spent 16 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) State and Local Branch working to advance clean energy as a strategy to help states meet their clean air and climate change requirements. This included playing a lead role in developing the energy efficiency provisions of EPA’s Clean Power Plan and establishing regulations that allow states and cities to include renewables and energy efficiency in their Clean Air Act (CAA) plans.

Dr. Lianne Fisman is an experienced researcher and a recognized expert in qualitative and mixed method research design, and analysis. She specializes in evaluating and strengthening programs that support economically disadvantaged individuals and communities. Dr. Fisman currently leads Abt’s Qualitative and Mixed Methods sub-capability. During her tenure at Abt, Dr. Fisman has served as project director and task leader on projects related to a variety of policy areas, including housing, youth and community development, education, and financial wellness.

Nichole Fiore is a Principal Associate with over 15 years of experience evaluating housing and homelessness programs across the country, developing deep expertise on homeless service systems, organizational capacity, political and community will, unsheltered homelessness, and permanent supportive housing. Recognizing the critical link between stable, safe housing and overall well-being, Fiore is proven leader bringing together diverse stakeholders who work across many jurisdictions and sectors to address the needs and improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness. She brings person-centric approaches to teams, from fostering inclusive decision-making in system design to ensuring projects are collecting evidence that informs homeless service systems implementation and rapid response to extreme weather situations. She also is a regular source for media outlets, often on the topic of homelessness in California.

Dr. Caroline Logan is a senior associate and health services researcher with over 15 years of experience in policy-focused mixed methods evaluation design, rigorous data collection and analysis, and development of integrated mixed methods reports and deliverables. Her expertise in federal and state health policy includes Medicare and Medicaid financing and delivery systems, care transformation and system integration, social determinants of health, maternal health, the health and well-being of children, and the intersection of health and housing.

Dr. Karen Gray-Adams is an educational psychologist with nearly 25 years of experience in research and technical assistance with an emphasis on educational equity. She provides capacity building and technical assistance on K-16 education and other policy issues, strategic planning, and mixed-methods research. Dr. Gray-Adams has expertise in culturally responsive pedagogy, equity, and educator workforce. She is a team leader and researcher who engages partners and helps build capacity to create solutions at the local, regional, state, and national level. She further supports equity in educational environments by providing one-on-one coaching in culturally responsive and equitable evaluation methods for community-based organizations.

Eduardo Castellon has two decades of experience helping public sector clients—from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to the Department of Housing and Urban Development—grow and refine their operations and impact. He has extensive experience delivering consulting expertise focused on artificial intelligence (AI), supply chain, procurement, financial management, and advanced analytics. His technological, consultative, and entrepreneurial skills help clients find new ways to address challenges ranging from affordable housing to homelessness to guaranteed income. He also has extensive expertise in technical assistance and implementation (TA&I) approaches. And his management experience includes developing high-performing teams through skills and career development and succession planning.

Dr. Janet Gordon has over 20 years of experience in designing, directing, and conducting research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects aimed at improving the health and well-being of adults and young people especially for Indigenous and culturally-diverse peoples. She has partnered with federal and state agencies such as the National Science Foundation, Department of Education, State Education Agencies, colleges/universities, and private foundations. Her work is focused on culturally-responsive, equity-centered approaches to methodology, data collection, analysis, presentation, and dissemination of evaluation results. Dr. Gordon is skilled in innovative database solutions to create new insightful knowledge for federal, state, tribal, and local agencies for evidence of effectiveness to inform policy and best practices.

Dr. Lauver has over 25 years of experience as a researcher, evaluator, project director, and technical assistance (TA) provider at the local, state, and federal levels. Her work spans leading initiatives for the U.S. Department of Education 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CLCC) Program; youth development and out-of-school-time learning programs, including serving families and students with disabilities; and teacher professional development in literacy, mathematics, and science. Additional areas of specialization include culturally responsive research and evaluation studies involving quantitative and qualitative methods. A subject matter expert in P-12 education policy, she has produced extensive bodies of knowledge used by thousands of educators at state education agencies, local education agencies, and charter schools.

Hoai B. Huynh has more than 25 years of experience in energy, environment, engineering, policy, and program management in the U.S. and internationally. He has worked in the U.S. government, consulting, aerospace and defense industry, and non-profit sectors. He also has had experience leading corporate strategy and growth efforts at Abt Global, Deloitte, AECOM, ICF, and CDM Smith. He has worked for such clients as U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Millennium Challenge Corporation, the World Bank, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.   

Laura Blake has more than 20 years of experience in leading scientific programs and research in the environmental science and policy domain. She has deep expertise in surface water quality restoration and protection and has spent her career designing and implementing scientific studies to support efforts to protect human health and aquatic environments. She has significant knowledge of Clean Water Act rules and regulations and has extensive experience supporting federal and state regulatory programs with implementation of and compliance with the federal Clean Water Act.