Abt Expands Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Expertise
Rockville, Md. – Abt Associates is bolstering its expertise in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) with the addition of Dr. Katrina L. Bledsoe and Frank L. Alexander, and the promotion of Abigail Donner.
“These individuals give Abt Associates enormous capacity to assist our clients on a range of equity dimensions, from social and structural determinants of health to cultural competence and humility to gender mainstreaming,” said Chief Global Equity Officer Roslyn M. Brock. “They are working across the company to ensure we apply an equity lens to all our efforts and to enhance the EDI skills of all Abt staff.”
Frank L. Alexander, Vice President, Systems Transformation and Collaborative Ventures.
Alexander is a nationally recognized leader in creating and improving innovative cross-sector health, housing, and human services strategic partnerships and approaches. With more than 30 years of experience in revamping systems for child and family well-being, transforming housing and human services systems, and working across the life course and prevention continuum, he has a track record of deep coalition building at every level of government. In this new role, he will be responsible for creating integrated, upstream solutions and transformative change at the local, state, and federal levels to improve health outcomes for underserved communities, families, and children in the United States. Alexander holds an M.P.A. from the University of Colorado
Dr. Katrina L. Bledsoe, Principal Associate, Global EDI.
Dr. Bledsoe is a trained evaluator, mixed methodologist, and social psychologist with more than 20 years of evaluation experience in the U.S. and internationally. She has developed a range of strategies for research innovation, on-the-ground community- specific solutions, and training on cultural competencies in academic, research, and foundation settings. At Abt, Dr. Bledsoe will be responsible for developing EDI strategies that center on culturally responsive and equity-focused research and evaluation approaches; theory-driven evaluation, equity, cultural contexts; and organizational learning. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Claremont Graduate University.
Abigail Donner, Director, Global EDI.
Donner is a public health and diversity professional with more than 16 years of experience advancing equity as a key programmatic outcome. She created and led Abt’s first company-wide equity initiative in 2013, and has worked primarily in global heath, with particular emphasis on the needs of women and girls. In her new role, Donner leads EDI work across Abt. She heads a team that creates evidence-based tools and approaches to measure and mitigate disparities in gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other social determinants of inclusion. She holds a SMc in Population & International Health from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.
About Abt Associates
Abt Associates is a global consulting and research firm that uses data and bold thinking to improve the quality of people’s lives. From combatting infectious disease and conducting rigorous program evaluations, to ensuring safe drinking water and promoting access to affordable housing—and more—we partner with clients and communities to tackle their most complex challenges. https://www.abtassociates.com
Contact:
Mary F. Maguire
Mary_Maguire@abtassoc.com
(301) 347-5859
