Jessica Collins has over twenty years of experience in domestic and international community health leading communities to create and sustain programmatic, policy and infrastructure change that supports quality of life. Ms. Collins is the Executive Director of the Public Health Institute of Western MA which does research assessment, evaluation and convening of initiatives that address public health issues that stem from unjust systems and policies. Ms. Collins also serves as the Co-Director of the BeHealthy Partnership, the ACO made up of Health New England, Baystate Health and Caring Health Center. Before moving to Western MA, Ms. Collins led the nationally recognized childhood obesity prevention efforts "Shape Up Somerville: Eat Smart. Play Hard." She currently serves as a Board of Director of the Massachusetts Public Health Association and Human Service Forum. She was elected to the South Hadley Board of Health in 2018. Ms. Collins has a Master's Degree in Applied Nutrition and Food Policy from Tufts University and is a graduate of Wellesley College.
Alisa M Ainbinder, PhD, MSW, MA, is a Senior Research Associate at PHIWM. Alisa has 15 + years of professional experience as an evaluator and researcher of health and social service programs, policies, and interventions. Prior to joining PHIWM, she worked at Mathematica and then VentureWell, mainly focused on contributing to large-scale federal or foundation data collection projects such as the evaluation of Living Cities’ “The Integration Initiative” or SAMSHA’s Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability Insurance Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) program which focuses on supporting access to potential benefits for people who are at risk of homelessness. She particularly enjoys innovative, cross-sector work that strives to have a tangible and sustainable effect on the well-being of a community. For example, she currently is evaluating the benefits and challenges of a Collaborative Care program in the Berkshires involving a behavioral health-focused partnership between pediatric practices and a school system. Alisa also brings background and experience in the area of Social Work with a PhD in Social Services Administration. She teaches social work and social welfare courses at Westfield State University and Smith College, where creating interactive, meaningful, and memorable learning opportunities is another passion of hers. After spending much of her adulthood in Washington, DC, she's come to cherish the uniqueness, eccentricities, and beauty of Western Massachusetts.
Sandra Alvarado is in a dual role as Executive Assistant and Project Coordinator for the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. She provides administrative support to the Executive Director and staff, as well as providing program support. She has 10 years of administrative experience. She is currently working on her Bachelor in Science majoring in Health Service Administration at Bay Path University.
Samantha manages the LiveWell Springfield Coalition where she leads the Transforming Community Initiative to promote health equity through policy, systems, and environment change strategies for access to nutritious food, safer Complete Streets, and healthier opportunities; and the Age Friendly City initiative, a process of community engagement and assessment to implement Age Friendly designation for the City of Springfield.
She came to PHIWM from the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services (MLKFS), where over 15 years she progressed from Lead Camp Counselor to Director of Operations. While at MLKFS, Samantha supported state and federal grant initiatives around gang violence, substance abuse prevention, and teen dating violence. In addition, she trained and engaged youth who successfully advocated for passage of Tobacco 21. Samantha’s leadership also resulted in youth safe haven programming, domestic and dating violence education, and annual community engagement events. Samantha has a BA in Business Management and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from American International College. Ms. Hamilton has 15 years of experience working with residents including youth and adults in Springfield.
Liv Anna Homstead, MSW, is a Coalition Building Manager for the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM). She currently works on COVID-19 Communications and the 413Cares community resource database. Prior to joining PHIWM, Liv Anna worked as the Project Coordinator of the Community Health Worker Program at Holyoke Community College. In her role, she worked with hundreds of students in training courses focused on CHW core competencies, substance use disorder, and behavioral health, while also managing multiple grants and developing partnerships with local providers and health centers. Previously, Liv Anna lived in New York City for 10 years where she worked extensively in the child welfare system on addressing service gaps and systemic barriers. She has a unique blend of community partnership, grant management, and leadership experience. Her passion lies in promoting health equity by amplifying community voices, building collaborative partnerships, and dismantling systemic structures rooted in racism and white privilege. Liv Anna received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Ithaca College and her master’s degree in social work from Columbia University. Fun fact: Liv Anna (pronounced “leave ah-na”) grew up in western Massachusetts and used to play in Eric Carle’s studio in Northampton as a child.
Sarita Hudson brings over 25 years of experience managing programs, developing coalitions, and building community capacity on issues including environmental health, climate action and resilience, sexual violence prevention, women's rights and social justice. As Director of Programs & Development at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, she leads the Coalition Building team and her responsibilities include resource development, planning, program development and organizational communications. She currently directs the Health Policy Commission funded Shift Healthy Homes Asthma Program, the Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition, the Springfield Healthy Homes Collaborative and the 413Cares online community resource database. She is a member of the Steering Committee of the Massachusetts Asthma Action Partnership and is a former Treasure/Board Member of Safe Passage. Sarita holds a Master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School. She was awarded the 2020 Partners Asthma Center Asthma Achievement Award and under her leadership, the Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition was awarded the 2019 EPA Region 1 Environmental Merit Award for Children’s Health. She enjoys biking around the Pioneer Valley and cooking Italian favorites from her family’s cookbook.
Amy Khalil, BA, is the Finance and Contracts Manager for the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Amy brings her unique experience to her dual role in overseeing the Public Health Institute’s many contracts and growing financials. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, Amy held three roles at Fidelity Investments in Boston before taking a leap of faith to Denver, Colorado. Her time in Denver was spent investing in and connecting the music and arts community, as well as expanding a startup to 15 cities across the country. Amy returned to Western Massachusetts in 2018 to be closer to family and has since reconnected with her finance background as she is pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration at Western New England University. In her free time, Amy enjoys going to concerts and gardening.
Kimberly Maende, B.A., CHW, is a Project Coordinator at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM). She is responsible for providing education, outreach, promotion, and collaboration for the Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition, Springfield Healthy Homes Collaborative, and the 413Cares community resource database. Prior to joining the PHIWM, she worked in marketing and promotions for Trinity Health of New England’s PACE program. Additionally, Kimberly has experience as a Community Health Worker for Community Care Cooperative (C3) ACO and the Health Policy Commission research-based, grant-funded program Healthy Connections. She also worked as a Care Coordinator for MassHealth’s community partner program, Innovative Care Partners (ICP), where she assisted members enrolled in Mass Health Accountable Care Organization (ACO) or Managed Care Organization (MCO). Kimberly is a state board certified Community Health Worker with certifications in motivational interviewing and integrated care management. She holds a BA specializing in Biology and Community Health Promotion from Daemen College. She’s a member of the National and Massachusetts Association on Community Health Workers, and is interested and passionate about analyzing and addressing health disparities among various communities and populations. In her free time, she enjoys learning new things, traveling, and fixing things.
Victoria Ramos is a Research Associate for the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. She currently works as a data manager for the Springfield and Holyoke Healthy Homes programs, as a co-facilitator for the Hampden County Community Health Improvement Plan, as data manager for the Springfield Youth Health Survey Initiative, and on various other programs. Victoria has previous work experience as a community health worker with a concentration on asthma management and falls prevention that continues to drive her passion for helping her community and centering community voice in her work. She received her bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Wesleyan University and her master’s degree in Public Health from Thomas Jefferson University. Fun fact: Victoria has studied French since 6th grade and hopes to one day travel to France.
Lisa Ranghelli, MRP, is a Senior Research Associate for the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Lisa conducts research and evaluation for anchor institutions, collaboratives and community-based organizations that are striving to advance health equity in the region. Currently she manages the Community Health Needs Assessment process for a The Coalition of Western Massachusetts hospitals and insurer. Lisa also provides evaluation technical assistance for grassroots groups that receive funding through Baystate Health’s Better Together program and Health New England’s Where Health Matters. Lisa has more than two decades of experience supporting community change efforts as an organizer, advocate, policy guru, researcher, evaluator, facilitator, coalition builder and strategic planner. Most recently she spent 13 years at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, helping grantmakers more effectively build power, share power, and wield power for equity and justice. Lisa has a BA from Wesleyan University and a Master of Regional Planning from Cornell University. Lisa is a proud member of Offbeat Womyn’s Drumming Ensemble and is co-board chair of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts.
Tiffany R. Rufino, MS is the Youth Mental Health Coalition Manager and Evaluator at the Public Health Institute of Western MA (PHIWM). Born and raised in Springfield, MA, Tiffany is a proud graduate of the Springfield Public School system and committed to serving her community, especially as it relates to Springfield youth. Tiffany leads the Coalition’s charge to destigmatize mental health among Springfield youth and begin to normalize conversations about experiencing stress, anxiety, trauma, depression, and when to seek help. The Coalition also seeks to educate parents, guardians, caregivers, teachers, community-based organizations, and the community about youth behavioral health and how – together as a community – we can combat this stigma, seek solutions to root causes, begin to heal our beloved community, and pave a healthier future for our youth! Tiffany earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from the University of Hartford, as well as a Master of Science degree in Communications and Information Management from Bay Path University. She has 14 years of professional experience in community and youth development, program evaluation, team leadership, and relationship management. Prior to joining PHIWM, Tiffany consulted for Parent Villages, Inc, served as the Regional Director for Boston-based organization Scholar Athletes, and was the Community Development Manager for the Girl Scouts of Central & Western MA. Tiffany enjoys spending time with her husband and relishing in all the adventures that come with being a mom of three daughters. She also enjoys learning about herbalism – using plants and herbs as kitchen medicine - gardening, reading, and doing random DIY projects around the house.
Kathleen Szegda, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S. is the Director of Community Research and Evaluation. Dr. Szegda has over 20 years of public health/research experience working at the national, state and local level at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Emory University, Baystate Children’s Hospital, and University of Massachusetts. Dr. Szegda holds a Ph.D. in Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Massachusetts, an M.P.H. from Emory University, and an M.S. in Counseling from Georgia State University. Her research interests are maternal and child health, mental health, and health disparities. Her research is also aimed at identifying effective community-level systems, policy, and environmental changes to improve health equity, which is informed by her experience working to promote policy and systems change at the national level at the U.S. CDC’s Office of Genomics and at a local level as the Director of the Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition. She is co-PI for a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Policies to Action Research award focused on understanding the impact of Complete Streets policy on health through an equity lens. Dr. Szegda is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at UMass Medical School-Baystate, a fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Delivery and Population Science at UMass Medical School-Baystate, and an adjunct faculty in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she teaches a health impact assessment class.
Keleigh Waldner, M.A. is a Research Associate II and Communications Coordinator for the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. She began working with PHIWM in 2014. Keleigh coordinates and conducts evaluation and assessment activities for a variety of research and evaluation projects, and she is the research coordinator for the R.O.A.D.S. study (Research on Active Design in Springfield). She has coordinated the administration of population-based youth health surveys in Springfield, MA (Youth Health Survey, Youth Risk Behavior Survey) since 2015. She is also currently working on a Health Impact Assessment aimed at expanding access to affordable housing for older adults with previous criminal legal system involvement. Keleigh began working on communication activities when the pandemic started, and in July 2020, she became Communications Coordinator. She supports the Western MA COVID-19 Data Dashboard as well as many other communication activities. Prior to joining PHIWM, Keleigh worked in housing and community development, both in a non-profit and municipal setting. Keleigh holds a master’s degree in Community Development and Planning, as well as a bachelor’s degree in International Development and Social Change from Clark University. Keleigh loves to learn new things and is working on growing her data visualization skills. Keleigh is pronounced like “Kelly”.
