ABOUT US
The Center for Public Health Innovation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving public health. We partner with public health organizations and professionals to achieve greater impact. CPHI has experience working with national, regional, state, and local public health professionals to improve systems, strengthen partnerships, and help tell a story with data. Our team of experts is committed to creating innovative and sustainable solutions to public health challenges.
OUR TEAM
Meet the dedicated team members at the Center for Public Health Innovation.
MARCI SONTAG, PhD
Executive Director
Among Marci's passions are improving public health systems and she is currently focused on newborn screening, genetic services, and health information technology. Marci has a Master's degree in biostatistics and a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Colorado. She brings knowledge and experience in epidemiology, data analysis, program development, facilitation, and program evaluation, just to name a few of her skills.
YVONNE KELLAR-GUENTHER, PhD
Associate Director
Yvonne holds advanced degrees in Communication Theory and Interpersonal Communication. She used the resulting skills to teach and consult in the public health arena with the University of Colorado for almost two decades. She is an expert at helping public health stakeholders identify and clarify their goals, continually improve their programs, identify important measures, and make use of proven collaboration processes and skills.
JOSHUA MILLER, MPH
Senior Public Health Analyst
A native of Colorado Springs, Joshua is a core member of our team at the Center for Public Health Innovation, applying his knowledge as an expert in bioinformatics to help client agencies better organize, analyze, and visualize their data. He previously worked in the Department of Epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health, where he served as a Research Instructor.
RHONDA WEST, MS
Associate Public Health Analyst
Rhonda is originally from Virginia, earning a biology degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. She then joined the Virginia State Public Health Laboratory as an Informatics Scientist, serving as the manager of the Laboratory Information Management System and data analyst for the Newborn Screening Program. This job experience made her an excellent fit at CPHI, where newborn screening has been one of our greatest success stories.
STACEY QUESADA, MPH
Senior Public Health Specialist
Stacey's expertise and passion lie in cultivating strong partnerships with communities and public health partners to facilitate collaborative needs assessments, action planning, program evaluations, and community engagement. Stacey has a Master's degree in public health with a concentration in community and behavioral health. She has experience organizing and engaging large, diverse groups of stakeholders to achieve public health goals.
Jon Hassinger, MS
Board President
Jon is an experienced business leader, consultant and board member. Jon was co-founder of CI International, a professional service organization focused on delivering executive coaching, leadership development training and organizational consulting solutions for the Federal Government. During this time, Jon grew the company from a start-up to one of the largest small businesses in the federal market. Prior to leading CI International, Jon held executive roles in the environmental services and energy industries. Jon has a wealth of board experience, having served on several boards. He holds a Bachelors degree in Earth Sciences and a Masters Degree in geology/geophysics.
Kathy Kennedy, DrPH, MA
Board Secretary
Kathy is a public health scientist and educator who has conducted numerous studies in reproductive health, including multi-center international studies. She has taught graduate courses in Public Health Fundamentals, Epidemiology, Global Public Health, Maternal and Child Health, Injury Epidemiology, and Public Health Leadership. At the Colorado School of Public Health, she founded the Master of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health Program and the Certificates in Global Public Health and Maternal and Child Health. She was the founding Executive Director of the Regional Institute for Health and Environmental Leadership where she directed comprehensive leadership development programs to over 1,000 graduates, and led the nonprofit organization over two decades.
OUR BOARD
HEATHER TECHMEIER
Board Treasurer
Heather has more than 20 years of corporate experience in finance and six years in nonprofit financial management. Her understanding of capital banking and cash management activities, proficiency with financial reports and data, plus her knowledge of investments and forecasting of budgets, will be essential in safeguarding the economic structure of the organization. Her life was impacted by genetic testing revealing her as a carrier of two autosomal recessive conditions, Krabbe disease, and Cystic Fibrosis; she lost her niece, Makayla Pike, to Krabbe disease in May 2003. Heather’s passion is working at the Rosenau Family Research Foundation whose mission is to improve the lives of people impacted by Krabbe Disease and Cystic Fibrosis through research funding and disease advocacy.