Michaela Wolfinger
Blantyre
Summary
Dedicated professional with over ten years of experience in policy analysis and economic development. Demonstrated passion for improving community health, building partnerships, and creating purposeful health policies.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Health Policy Analyst
Peace Corps
09.2023 - Current
- Trained and supervised six data collection teams that conducted interviews at over 70 local health facilities on health facility financing.
- Communicated complex health policy information to diverse audiences through presentations, briefings, and written materials.
- Conducted cost-benefit analyses of proposed policy changes, facilitating data-driven decision making by policymakers.
- Reported quarterly to Peace Corps headquarters using US Federal Government monitoring and evaluation practices.
- Contributed to grant proposal writing efforts for funding opportunities supporting vital public health programs and interventions.
Legislative Coordinator
Montana State Legislature
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Tracked over 1000 bills, hearings, and vote tabulations for the coordination and support of legislation; coordinated with stakeholders to create a network of legislators and bill sponsors to support and pass bills
- Created daily action alerts on 3-5 bills for the Montana Democratic Party, stakeholders, and legislature staff for increasing knowledge and support of legislation
- Researched and prepared over 20 legislators for hearings and organized stakeholders for testimony on legislation to increase office organization and support of legislator's agendas.
Program and Research Assistant
American Jobs for America's Youth
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Reviewed resumes and scheduled 40 interviews with school and program staff to determine summer job placements, which resulted in 40 summer jobs for youth
- Matched 40 students with summer positions based on student interests, experience, and schedules to promote program completion, by creating a database to record student information and contacting potential employers to obtain new positions
- Researched and created a list of 20 grants for the organization to apply for and applied for 3 grants for program funding
- Facilitated community outreach and engagement to increase community participation in the summer jobs program.
Food Security Extension Officer
Peace Corps
09.2017 - 09.2019
- Taught financial literacy, marketing, and English classes to groups of women, local entrepreneurs, and students
- Led 2 health-related groups; a girls' soccer team and a women's running group
- Facilitated over 24 trainings on basic hygiene and malaria prevention for students, educators, and community leaders
- Organized youth development programs consisting of local camps and regional programs on gender equality
- Collected and stratified data to quantify results and reported to country director.
Program Assistant
Montana Department of Commerce
01.2011 - 08.2017
- Managed constituent comments, questions, and concerns regarding Montana's energy sector
- Tracked and monitored energy development projects in Montana, Canada, and North Dakota, especially with Keystone pipeline, and the international policies affecting Montana's energy sector
- Researched and coordinated projects dealing with local, state and federal rules and regulations
- Researched, compiled, and analyzed information for over 10 industry analysis reports which included feasibility, site placement, and general economic impact
- Industries ranged from barley malting to data centers to offal rendering plants in Montana
- Member of the team which brought in over $100 million in new energy development.
Project Specialist
Office of the Governor
06.2015 - 12.2016
- Advised the governor on economic development initiatives
- Built stakeholder engagement to foster new business partnerships and improve economic conditions in Montana
- Initiated 13 Key Industry Networks (KINs) comprised of executive managers to provide policy recommendations on how the state can improve Montana economic policy and create economic growth; facilitated monthly meetings of the KINs and prepared monthly report of progress towards goals
- Successfully coordinated over fifty meetings with 210 CEOs for creating recommendations to the governor on economic development
- Developed and implemented a communication plan to align and inform participants, document project outcomes, and publicize the progress of the project
- Development and maintained a multi-page website for project coordination and communicating project outcomes to the public.
Education
Masters in Public Health -
University of Montana
Missoula, MTMasters in Public Administration -
University of Montana
Missoula, MTBachelors of Political Science and International Relations -
University of Montana
Missoula, MTSkills
- Advanced French according to the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language) speaking proficiency guidelines
- Healthcare Systems Knowledge
- Healthcare Legislation Expertise
- Policy analysis
Timeline
Senior Health Policy Analyst
Peace Corps
09.2023 - Current
Legislative Coordinator
Montana State Legislature
01.2023 - 05.2023
Program and Research Assistant
American Jobs for America's Youth
01.2022 - 12.2022
Food Security Extension Officer
Peace Corps
09.2017 - 09.2019
Project Specialist
Office of the Governor
06.2015 - 12.2016
Program Assistant
Montana Department of Commerce
01.2011 - 08.2017
Masters in Public Health -
University of Montana
Masters in Public Administration -
University of Montana
Bachelors of Political Science and International Relations -
University of Montana
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