Lynn Griesemer, Ed.D., M.P.A. is the Associate Vice President for Economic Development at the University of Massachusetts and Executive Director of the UMass Donahue Institute. She is also an adjunct professor in the Public Policy and Administration program at UMass Amherst. Prior to joining the University, Dr. Griesemer was the Executive Director of the Northeast Regional Exchange, a seven-state, non-profit collaborative in education for New England and New York. She held a faculty position and was the director of an education research and evaluation center at the University of Rhode Island.

Dr. Griesemer holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Cedar Crest College, a master's in mathematics education from the University of Tennessee, and a master's in public administration from the Kennedy School at Harvard University, where she was a Littauer Fellow. She received her doctorate in educational administration and curriculum from the University of Tennessee.

Since the formation of the University's five-campus system in 1991, Dr. Griesemer has worked closely with the President's Office, managing several system-wide projects in economic development and related areas.

(774) 455-7361

Carrie Bernstein, M.P.P.A. is a Research Analyst whose work encompasses both quantitative analysis and qualitative research methodologies. She specializes in writing, gathering data, and synthesis of complex information. She has nine years of experience in nonprofit and government sectors, including work in policy research, data management, and research design. She has studied federal grants, economic inequality, and housing affordability.

Ms. Bernstein received her Master’s of Public Policy and Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her Bachelor’s degree from Hampshire College.

(413) 545-3450

Katera Como, M.P.A. is a Project Coordinator. She collaborates with the director, project managers, staff, consultants, and clients to ensure excellence in the planning and execution of projects and research. In addition, she provides research and project support to various studies and coordinates the production of MassBenchmarks.

Ms. Como received her M.P.A. and B.S. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

(413) 577-2415

John Gaviglio, B.B.A. is the state’s liaison to the U.S. Census Bureau, receiving and providing access to the Bureau’s data. He has been with the Massachusetts State Data Center Program since 1988 and served as its manager since 1997. He has extensive experience with U.S. census and state administrative data and provides analysis and support to many unit projects. Mr. Gaviglio also assists faculty, students, state agencies, and the general public in the use of census data and data access tools.

Mr. Gaviglio received his B.B.A. from the Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts Amherst.

(413) 545-6657

Matthew Hoover, M.A. is a Research Analyst specializing in quantitative data analysis, research methodology, working with large datasets, conducting field interviews, and overall research design. Prior to joining the Institute, Mr. Hoover worked as a research analyst in health policy and mental health service projects focusing on access, quality, and symptom outcomes.

Mr. Hoover has an M.A. from Cleveland State University in sociology and has done doctoral work at Boston University. He received B.A. degrees in sociology and psychology, also from Cleveland State University.

(508) 513-3444

Lindsay Koshgarian, M.P.P. is a Research Analyst specializing in quantitative data analysis and qualitative research methods for industry and economic development studies. Ms. Koshgarian has experience in economic development, especially workforce development and affordable housing development, and provision of health services to low-income populations.

Ms. Koshgarian received her M.P.P. in Public Policy from UCLA. She holds a B.A. in Physics from the University of Pennsylvania.

(413) 545-6615

Rebecca Loveland, M.R.P. is a Research Manager specializing in industry analysis and economic development projects, managing research activities for MassBenchmarks, and leading a variety of industry and regional studies. Ms Loveland has considerable economic and community development experience in public and private settings.

Ms. Loveland received her M.R.P. in economic and community development planning from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her B.A. in Anthropology from Smith College.

(413) 545-0332

Ludgarda Simmonds, M.P.P.A. is a Research Analyst in the Population Estimates Program. She has experience designing and implementing surveys, analyzing statistical and socio-economic information, including population data, and designing, implementing and monitoring community development projects, including capacity building, and small business development.

Ms. Simmonds received her Masters in Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.) from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her B.Sc. in Statistics from the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, Department of Mathematics, Ecuador .

(413) 545-3435

Susan Strate, B.A. is the Population Program Manager. She has 16 years of experience working in the non-profit sector, including 11 years in grant-writing, program development, and contract management for anti-poverty agencies in Western Massachusetts. Her experience includes program design and management, budgeting, and the development of data collection and reporting systems.

Ms. Strate received her B.A. in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

(413) 577-0753

Raija Vaisanen, M.P.P.A. is a Research Analyst whose work focuses primarily on economic development, industry analysis, and social policy. In the past, Ms. Vaisanen has worked in several roles for a variety of non-profit organizations. Her experience spans health insurance, international trade and small business development.

Ms. Vaisanen received her Masters in Public Policy & Administration through the Center for Public Policy and Administration at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

(413) 545-6613

Kate Wilkinson, M.Ed. is a Research Analyst specializing in project management, data collection, field work, and qualitative analysis. She has considerable experience collaborating with staff, consultants, and clients on the planning and execution of projects and research.

Ms. Modzelewski received her M.Ed. from University of Massachusetts Boston. She holds a B.A. in American studies from Trinity College.

(774) 455-7378

Roy E. Williams, M.S. is a Senior Research Analyst. A key resource to the Massachusetts State Data Center program, he has served as the Center’s primary expert in the use and interpretation of census data files, including geography, decennial, PUMS, and other microdata files for almost twenty years.

Mr. Williams received his M.S. in educational research methodology from Cornell University where he did graduate work in mathematics, educational measurement, statistics, and research design. He received his A.B. cum laude in mathematics from Oberlin College.

(413) 545-6655