Leadership
President and CEO
Nick Hart is the President & CEO of the Data Foundation. He is a recognized advocate and leader for establishing systems and practices that enable evidence-informed policymaking and open data practices to succeed around the world to improve society. He is an expert in United States policies related to data, evaluation, statistics, science, and privacy.
Executive Vice President
Natalie Evans Harris is the Executive Vice President for External Engagement at the Data Foundation. An ecosystem builder at heart, she is a mission-driven data scientist, strategist and speaker with over 20 years of experience advancing the public sector’s strategic use of data. Leading initiatives, coalitions and organizations to powerfully and equitably leverage data to combat economic and social injustice.
As a leading voice in the responsible use of data for social impact, she has spent her career working with a broad network of academic institutions, data science organizations, application developers, and foundations to advance the responsible use of data. Prior to joining the Data Foundation, she was the founding executive director of the Black Wealth Data Center and as a senior policy advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, under the Biden Administration. Ms. Evans Harris served as a senior policy advisor to the U.S. Chief Technology Officer in the Obama administration and spent 16 years at the National Security Agency. She holds degrees from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and George Washington University.
Ms. Evans Harris has a master’s degree in public administration from The George Washington University and bachelor’s degrees in computer science and sociology from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She lives in Maryland with her husband and daughter.
Chief of Staff
Ashley Nelle-Davis is the Chief of Staff at the Data Foundation. In her role, she serves as a relationship and project manager at the Data Foundation, liaising between members and policy staff to support priorities, apply appropriate expertise, and build community among data leaders.
She is skilled at analyzing complex issues, communicating ideas to a variety of audiences, facilitating meaningful engagement across stakeholder groups, and managing relationships. Ashley is a dedicated and passionate advocate who is committed to making a positive impact on the world. Her strong work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to work well under pressure make her a valuable asset to any team. At the Data Foundation, Ashley serves as the Managing Director of the Data Coalition and co-chairs the Open Data Standards Task Force.
Prior to joining the Data Foundation, Ashley honed her skills while working at other high-profile think tanks in D.C. and graduated from the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin with a Master’s of Global Policy Studies degree in 2015. She joined the Data Foundation with a deep experience in research, analysis, communication, and teaching.
Data Policy
Director, Data Policy
Corinna Turbes graduated from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota with a Master's of Global Public Policy degree in 2017. Her experience is in helping advocates and experts interface with policymakers to create practical, workable policy solutions. This includes working to build understanding of complex issues such as data access and sharing, privacy, as well as legislative and regulatory processes. In her current role, Corinna focuses on supporting successful implementation of key data laws, supporting new initiatives to improve the state of our national data infrastructure, as well as formulating new evidence-informed policy recommendations. Her work includes policies that improve functional subject areas such as data sharing and privacy, and data production, as well as subject specific focuses on education and health data. Corinna also manages a team of policy analysts, providing guidance, support and feedback to team members, ensuring policies and strategies are developed and implemented in a collaborative, effective manner.
Corinna's data heroes are those who are thinking carefully about how data can both support and harm people in communities such as Catherine D'Iganzio, Danielle Citron, and Joy Buolamwini.
Senior Policy and Research Analyst, Data Policy
Katie Howell is a Senior Policy and Research Analyst at the Data Foundation. In her role, Katie leverages her expertise in policy and research to take on challenging projects related to evaluation, artificial intelligence, and agriculture data. Through her expertise and dedication, she contributes to shaping data policies and driving positive change in the field, making a lasting impact on the organization and the broader data community.
Katie holds a Masters in Public Policy from George Washington University, where she honed her analytical and research skills while specializing in statistics and policy analysis. Prior to her postgraduate studies, she completed her Bachelors degree in Global Studies at Appalachian State University, which equipped her with a broader perspective on global issues and their intersection with data management.
Passionate about her work, Katie is inspired by the vibrant community of data enthusiasts and professionals she interacts with on a daily basis. She values the opportunity to learn from the Data Coalition members and friends of the Data Foundation, who serve as her data heroes, shaping her understanding and expanding her knowledge of data-related challenges and solutions.
Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Katie now lives in Chicago with her dog, Mika, and her partner, Michael.
Policy and Research Analyst
Annique Garnier is a Policy and Research Analyst at the Data Foundation. A native of the Netherlands, she holds a Master's degree in European Studies from the University of Groningen. With a strong desire to tackle societal challenges and improve people's lives, Annique found her passion in policy work.
Before joining the Data Foundation, Annique gained valuable experience working for both local and national governments. Her work spanned diverse policy fields, including sustainable transportation, labor market, and healthcare. Most recently, she served as a policy officer for the Digital Government department of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations in the Netherlands, where she was involved in developing and implementing policies to improve government services and the use of personal data by government agencies- covering issues such as transparency, privacy, and inclusion.
Outside of work, Annique enjoys exploring the trails of Maryland, reading, and knitting.
Policy and Research Analyst
Avery Freeman is a Policy and Research Analyst at the Data Foundation. In her role, Avery hopes to leverage her expertise in policy and research to address complex issues related to the effective and ethical use of data. Avery holds a Masters in Bioethics & Science Policy from Duke University, where she refined here analytical and research abilities, focusing on the ethics and policies surrounding technology. Prior to her postgraduate studies, she earned her Bachelors degree in Kinesiology & Health Sciences and Psychology from the College of William and Mary. Avery is committed to contributing positively to the field and is eager to gain knowledge from her peers and industry experts. Their valuable perspectives and expertise will influence her comprehension and broaden her awareness of issues and resolutions related to data.
Evidence Capacity
Director, Evidence Capacity
Sara Stefanik is the Director of Evidence Capacity at the Data Foundation. Sara holds a Master's degree in Public Policy with a focus on education from the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington, D.C., and a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. She brings over 14 years of experience working with data, evaluations, and evidence building to her role at the Data Foundation.
She spent the majority of her career within the federal statistical system, working on surveys, administrative data modeling, data governance, data analysis, and open data initiatives at the U.S. Census Bureau and in the Office of the Chief Data Officer at the Department of Education. She also served as a policy and research analyst on the Commission for Evidence-Based Policymaking. Most recently, Sara served as the Director of Research and Evaluation at Pittsburgh Public Schools, managing internal and external evaluation activities of school programs and initiatives.
A strong believer in the power of data and evidence to improve societal outcomes, Sara is passionate about public education and giving back to her community. She currently resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her data heroes are the trailblazing women in math, science, and data that paved the way for today’s generation of women in data, such as Katherine Johnson and Elizabeth Feinler.
Manager, Evidence and Evaluation Capacity
Christopher Murrell is a Manager for Evidence Capacity with the Data Foundation. He has dedicated his career to improving public administration to promote social justice and fair treatment for all people.
Murrell earned his Bachelor of General Studies degree from Columbia College, focusing on communication and art. He also holds a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), where he earned honors and had a dual focus on Nonprofit Management and Urban Administration.
Murrell is passionate about supporting collaboration for the public good. He loves discovering ways to use data and collaboration to create positive social change.
Murrell currently works remotely from Columbia, Missouri, where he lives with his family. He is a proud father of three children, Wesley, Ace, and Calen, who keep him busy when he's not working.
Christopher’s mother Theresa has spent over two decades in data management and has been instrumental in designing a system for tracking child fatalities in Missouri. Christopher considers his mother his data hero, and he is happy to support her dedication to child safety and public service.
Research Fellow, Evidence Capacity
Kira Fatherree is a Data Foundation Research Fellow. She is the Managing Director Practice and Operations, Child and Family Services at Casey Family Programs. She previously worked as an Advisor in the Allegheny County, Pennsylvania government’s Department of Health and Human Services. She previously worked as senior policy analyst for the Bipartisan Policy Center Evidence Project and a policy analyst at the White House Office of Management and Budget. She has a masters degree in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelors degree from Occidental College and has published research with the Data Foundation.
Research Fellow, Evidence Capacity
Karol Olejniczak, Ph.D. is an associate professor at SWPS University of the Social Sciences and Humanities. His research focuses on the intersection of public policy, evaluation, and application of behavioral insights. He is an internationally-recognized expert in applying theories about the use of research evidence, including to train, develop, and promote knowledge brokers. Dr. Olejniczak is currently consulting with U.S. Federal agencies to develop learning agendas and evidence-building plans through participatory and user-centric design processes. He holds a doctorate in management sciences. Dr. Olejniczak is contributing to the Data Foundation’s policy research on agency multi-year learning agendas.
Research Fellow, Evidence Capacity
Steve Mumford, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of political science and public administration at the University of New Orleans. Dr. Mumford is a core faculty member of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at UNO, and teaches courses in program evaluation and public and nonprofit management. He has over 15 years of experience conducting program evaluations for foundations and nonprofits throughout the United States and abroad. Dr. Mumford studies organizational resilience and social equity in the regional nonprofit sector, including how to assess and build supportive organizational capacities related to adaptive and strategic management, program evaluation, and collaboration, and methods for identifying and addressing inequities in nonprofit leadership and funding. He completed his doctorate at George Washington University, an MPA at the University of Washington, and BA at Columbia University. In 2021, Dr. Mumford co-authored the Data Foundation’s survey of Federal Evaluation Officials conducted in partnership with the American Evaluation Association.
Special Projects
Chief of Staff
Ashley Nelle-Davis is the Chief of Staff at the Data Foundation. In her role, she serves as a relationship and project manager at the Data Foundation, liaising between members and policy staff to support priorities, apply appropriate expertise, and build community among data leaders.
She is skilled at analyzing complex issues, communicating ideas to a variety of audiences, facilitating meaningful engagement across stakeholder groups, and managing relationships. Ashley is a dedicated and passionate advocate who is committed to making a positive impact on the world. Her strong work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to work well under pressure make her a valuable asset to any team. At the Data Foundation, Ashley serves as the Managing Director of the Data Coalition and co-chairs the Open Data Standards Task Force.
Prior to joining the Data Foundation, Ashley honed her skills while working at other high-profile think tanks in D.C. and graduated from the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin with a Master’s of Global Policy Studies degree in 2015. She joined the Data Foundation with a deep experience in research, analysis, communication, and teaching.
Senior Fellow, Financial Data
Dean Ritz is a Senior Fellow supporting the Data Foundation’s Special Project related to Financial Data Transparency. He previously served as the Senior Advisor to the CEO, Open Data Policies & Practices, Workiva Inc.
During his tenure at Workiva, Dean Ritz formulated the company's model-driven semantic data strategy and advises on integrating these innovations into their SaaS platform. As part of proving and propagating these innovations, he developed semantic models and proof-of-concept implementations. He also represented Workiva through advocacy for open data and the modernization of regulatory reporting. His interests extend to the topics of rhetoric and ethics, with scholarly work in these areas published by Routledge, Oxford University Press, the Data Foundation, and others.
Management and Operations
Director, Operations
Dora Engle is the Operations Director of the Data Foundation. She is responsible for overseeing the foundation's day-to-day operational activities, organizing and managing events, and coordinating with vendors and partners. Prior to joining the Data Foundation, Dora worked at the Bipartisan Policy Center as a project coordinator focused on issues including the Evidence-Based Policymaking Initiative, Economic Policy, Financial Services, and Higher Education. She attended Willamette University in Salem, Oregon and in her free time enjoys reading and taking walks around her neighborhood.
Operations Associate
Andrea Chavez is a graduate of Florida International University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history. She joined the Data Foundation in 2022 and assists with the organization’s day-to-day operations and events in her current role as an Operations Associate.
Since joining the organization, Andrea has had the opportunity to collaborate with a number of her data heroes, including leaders in federal government championing and implementing more responsible data practices, as well as individuals working across nonprofits, academia, and industry who help push forward advocacy efforts.
She is excited to continue learning from the data community and work alongside the Data Foundation to bring attention to data challenges and solutions within government.
Project Associate
Carrie Myers is a graduate in Graphic Design from Pennsylvania College of Technology. In her career she has worked to help businesses and non-profit organizations create unique designs that enhance their brand and mission. Her skills include problem-solving and project prioritization, which were refined during time with STEP AmeriCorps where she gained additional experience in strategic planning and project management. With a ready-to-learn mindset and excellent organizational skills, she collaborates well with team members and partners.
Since joining the Data Foundation team in 2021 as a Project Associate, Carrie has continued to learn about the committed data and evidence community members who work to take actionable steps for enabling data-informed public policy that benefits the American people. Carrie looks forward to learning their stories and getting to know the people who have enabled positive change for the data community.
Project Associate, Data Coalition Community
Jenna Marthaller is the Project Associate for the Data Coalition Community at the Data Foundation. She thrives on fostering positive change within communities. Jenna's background in psychology, social work, and project management informs her approach to cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and project execution.
Having worked across diverse industries, Jenna has honed skills like cultural humility and emotional intelligence. She started her journey into project management as the Program and Services Coordinator at The Children's Inn at NIH, where she facilitated team collaboration and ensured continuity amidst department reorganizations. Jenna's commitment to community is reflected in her board service for the Latinx Social Work Coalition, a graduate student organization.
Jenna completed a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, with an emphasis in Macro Social Work, from New York University and holds Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification. Jenna sees a profound alignment between the project management field and social work, both of which seek to create a tangible impact while ensuring that all voices are heard.
Outside work, Jenna enjoys hiking, bike riding, nature walks, reading, sewing, and spending time with her loved ones in Southern California.
Executive Assistant to the President & CEO
Chyna Imanuelle Bacolor serves as Executive Assistant to the President & CEO of the Data Foundation.
Her background encompasses collaboration with non-governmental organizations, human resources expertise, communications and marketing acumen, and demonstrated executive assistant skills. Chyna has actively engaged with NGOs, contributing to community initiatives and promoting a positive social impact. She brings experience in HR functions, demonstrating talent management and administrative skills. Her background includes communication and marketing activities, enhancing her ability to craft effective messaging and support outreach efforts. Chyna thrives in assisting executives, excelling at project management and providing high-level administrative support
Chyna holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Saint Louis University. She is a dedicated and versatile professional with a commitment to supporting the Data Foundation's mission.
Her data hero is her partner, a professional in mechanical engineering who adeptly manages diverse data sets in his daily work. Through his guidance, she gained a profound understanding of the significance of data collection in the process of building and creating. This exposure illuminated the critical role data plays in ensuring the stability and success of any project.