Search

Meghan Hendricksen, Ph.D., MPH has more than a decade of healthcare research and project management experience, with expertise in gerontology, long-term care, and discrimination in health care settings. She has extensive experience conducting qualitative and quantitative research for federal, state, and nonprofit clients, ranging from interviewing nursing home staff and residents to conducting complex quantitative analyses of large datasets like the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Her skills include data and team management across multiple complex projects, developing data collection instruments, as well as the production of research protocols and training research teams.

Jennifer S. Riggs, Ph.D., brings her extensive research, policy, and nursing experience to improve care for all patients, especially older adults. Her clinical area of expertise is Medicare-certified home health and home and community-based care for diverse adults and older adults with multiple co-occurring chronic conditions and complex care coordination needs.

John Heermans is a climate change expert with 12 years of experience in strengthening and accelerating mitigation and adaptation action to reduce climate impacts. He has worked with national and sub-national governments, bilateral and multilateral development organizations, national and international climate funds, and the private sector to set, implement, and achieve ambitious climate commitments. He has extensive experience with UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Frameworks, including the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) through climate change policy, planning and financing and mainstreaming climate action to national development plans, public budgeting processes and international support programs.

Teresa Mota, BSN, RN is an Associate/Nurse Researcher and a sought-after clinical researcher on federal and state projects emphasizing aging, long-term care, and improving the care experience. Mota has an extensive clinical and health services research background in geriatric nursing, and she specializes in post-acute care, quality improvement (QI) and supporting community-based providers and stakeholders to assist them in the identification of best-practices, develop resources and tools, communications, and implementation of QI initiatives. Mota also participates in data collection, measurement, analysis, and reporting related to these programs.

Nadiia Zaritska is a Ph.D. sociologist with 13 years of extensive experience in programme management, research, monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL), and gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) analysis. With a steadfast commitment to promoting gender equality, social inclusion, and human rights, Zaritska has focused her efforts on driving reforms, democratization, and addressing the social repercussions of conflict and war. Her professional journey has led her to engage closely with national and local governmental bodies in Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova.

Matthew Sweeney leads business development and account management for Abt’s portfolio of work at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). With more than 20 years of healthcare experience partnering with federal agencies, small businesses, and the private sector, Sweeney has led large research and operational projects focused on various dimensions of alternative payment models, including:  implementing and validating quality measures, program support for hospital pay-for-performance programs, and advising clients on the design and refinement of their value-based purchasing arrangements.

Dr. Jessica Thornton Walker is an accomplished researcher and the leader of Abt’s quantitative methods team who brings 20 years of experience designing and implementing policy-relevant research. She is a recognized expert in large-scale, multi-site evaluations to assess the impacts of social policies and programs in housing and homelessness, child welfare, adolescent risk-taking behaviors, and substance use.In her role as the Quantitative Methods Lead, Dr. Walker is responsible for the management, staffing, budgeting, solutioning, and strategy that guides the work of 120 quantitative research staff and ensures Abt provides high-quality technical delivery and innovative solutions tailored to clients.

Godfrey Sanga is a clean energy engineer with 20 years of experience in projects design and implementation in Africa, focusing on products market development, capacity strengthening, financing, and advocacy. He has a combination of technical, economic, environmental, and social skills and experience in energy access and productive uses for different target markets including households, enterprises, and social institutions. He has led regional organizations, directed, and managed teams and projects, and served as advisor for donor-funded, publicly funded, and privately funded projects. Godfrey has worked with international organizations including USAID and Power Africa, Energy 4 Impact, Mercy Corps, and Development Bank of Southern Africa.

Carolynn Poulsen is the Director of Abt’s Global Health Security Account. She has nearly 20 years of experience overseeing the design and implementation of global health programs focusing on infectious disease and health systems strengthening. Poulsen is fluent in French and Spanish and has supported the delivery of effective global health solutions in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.