Olivia is an Evaluation Scientist and Translational Researcher at the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. She supports a variety of evaluation and research projects, with a particular interest inhow local communities operationalize and institutionalize concepts of equity, inclusion, belonging, and community power building. From 2015-2021, she helped lead and manage the Robert Wood Johnson (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize program at UWPHI to honor and elevate U.S. communities working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all.
Prior to joining UWPHI, Olivia helped coordinate the Wisconsin Family Impact Seminars, a series of presentations and briefing reports for state policymakers covering a range of social policy topics. She also supported the Family Impact Institute, a national network providing technical assistance to over 20 states replicating the Family Impact Seminar model. Previously, Olivia conducted interdisciplinary research on poverty and safety net programs, early childhood development, and education policy.
Olivia holds a doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Wisconsin, and a BS in Psychology from the University of California-Davis. Her graduate work focused on effective strategies for communicating about anti-poverty policy, racial disparities, and family economic security to policy audiences.