Blog Contributors

Jeffrey Hoffman, Ph.D. – Founder & CEO

Dr. Hoffman provides overall strategic direction and leadership for Danya. Overseeing all aspects of Danya’s strategic alliances and commercial ventures, he is responsible for the strategic growth of the company. Dr. Hoffman is trained as a clinical psychologist and researcher, with specialized expertise in addictions treatment, tobacco control, HIV prevention, and family relationships. Through his work at Danya, Dr. Hoffman has spearheaded the development of numerous health-related Web sites, videotapes, multimedia programs, and social marketing projects. He received a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.A. in Family Studies and Child Development from Stanford University, and a B.A. in liberal arts from Michigan State University.

Melissa Beaupierre, MPH - Senior Director, CDC NPIN

Melissa has led Danya’s National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) contract with CDC since 2004.  She is a card-carrying HIV-women’s rights-public health advocate.  She has been in HIV prevention since “Push It,” by Salt-n-Pepa was being played on Top 40 radio when she proudly rocked the big shoulder pad look.

Mim Landry – Senior Public Health Analyst

Mr. Mim Landry is a Senior Public Health Analyst at Danya International. He has content expertise in addiction treatment and prevention, mental health treatment, and public health communication. Mr. Landry has exception skills in analysis, synthesis, and writing, as well as project management. With these skills he leads the development of evidence-based tools for public health and behavioral health education, communication, and all phases of knowledge creation, knowledge application, knowledge management, and knowledge transfer. He is the author of numerous publications, including his book Understanding Drugs of Abuse: The Processes of Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery, published by the American Psychiatric Press, Inc.

Jennifer Scherer, Ph.D. – VP, Global Evaluation and Training

Jennifer Scherer, Ph.D., has 20 years of experience conducting national and international  research and evaluation projects for an array of federal agencies as well as for nonprofit organizations. She joined Danya in September 2008 and serves as the Vice President of Program Management and Evaluation, providing supervision of contracts and grants; research and evaluation design and implementation; and development of business opportunities and partnerships. Dr. Scherer has authored or co-authored more than 50 publications and presented at national-level forums.

Katy Capers – Health Communications and Digital Marketing Specialist

When she’s not cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs or sipping on peach tea, Katy works as a Health Communications and Digital Marketing Specialist at Danya. She is currently responsible for coordinating and evaluating digital and social media for several CDC campaigns ranging from reproductive health and HIV/AIDS to adolescent and school health. Most importantly though, Katy, a recent Boston transplant, is excited to rediscover the best parts of her southern roots: grits, football, and summer thunderstorms.’

Jeff Slutz – Health Communications Project Manager

Jeff is a member of the Danya Health Marketing and Communications team.  He excels at creating health marketing strategies, drinking coffee, writing compelling copy, jogging short distances, moving target audiences to action, touting the greatness of his home state Ohio, and making jump shots. He likes southern heat, Mom’s cooking, good tunes, touchdowns, and happy clients.  Everything else, he is totally and completely against.

Harsha Vemulapalli- Analytics and User Experience Manager, CDC NPIN

Harsha is the Analytics and User Experience Manager for all of the CDC NPIN digital products. In this capacity he oversees the development, production and reporting of our metrics/analytics efforts. He also oversees usability testing and user experience analysis in support of the web design/redesign, and research projects. Harsha has also worked for Danya within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), as the resident User Experience Manager within the center’s Health Communication Science Office (HCSO). While within the HCSO he worked on key projects such the NCHHSTP Atlas and the center’s website redesign efforts.

In the decade prior to joining Danya to help solve problems for the CDC, Harsha worked as a Design Lead and Product Manager for several software development companies such as Blackbaud and Morris DigitalWorks. His work focused on designing and delivering innovative and effective solutions in various industries such as non-profit, education, news/media and energy trading.

Michael Fitzpatrick – Web Analyst, CDC NPIN

Michael has more than six years of experience in the field of marketing and web analytics. While working with companies ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small technology start-ups, Michael has become highly experienced in Omniture SiteCatalyst and Google Analytics. In recent years Michael has also become fascinated with the world of social media analytics, which he is now diving into through the use of Radian6.

Tessa Revolinski - Intern

Tessa Revolinski is a recent graduate from the Florida State University. Becoming fully immersed in social networks her final semester at FSU, it only seemed fitting for a career in the field. She has been interning with Danya for the past three months and has enjoyed every second of the daily rambunctious activity throughout the Atlanta office. Her favorite parts about working at Danya are the themed staff meetings, Danya Digitalists, and of course Social Media Day.  When she is not glued to a computer screen or mobile device she likes to browse craft stores and play recreational softball in Piedmont Park.

Stacy Fentress – Health Communication Project Manager

Stacy Fentress is a Health Communication Project Manager with more than 10 years of experience as a health communicator and college educator. When she isn’t managing projects or creating content for various CDC clients, she can generally be found at rock n’ roll shows around Atlanta. Frequent topics of discussion include her nieces and nephews, anything sparkly, and Bon Jovi (do NOT laugh – she takes “the Jovi” very seriously).

Melissa Jackson – Marketing Assistant

In college, Melissa spent all of her time on Facebook, so it’s a good thing she found a job that lets her continue doing just that. In addition to stalking her “friends”, she manages the social media accounts for Danya and several projects. Melissa also writes press releases, updates Danya’s website, fulfills all product orders, as well as whatever else is thrown her way. When she’s not reading up on the latest food blogs and Lauren Conrad’s fashion tips, Melissa can be found baking a ridiculous dessert in her kitchen…that she then forces others to eat.

Karen White – Web Content Coordinator

For more than a decade, Karen White has served as a supremely hyphenated writing-editing-designing-coding-marketing Jane-Of-All-Trades for several federal agencies, including the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Education, and Justice. Currently, she serves as Web Development Director for the Office of University Partnerships, HUD’s effort to encourage and expand partnerships between institutions of higher education and their communities. She is an unabashed sci-fi and horror geek with aspirations of world domination—or at the very least, acquiring a small band of minions willing to bring her coffee and books with dedicated regularity.

Novia Knight – Graphics Specialist

Novia has 10+ years of experience creating print and web graphics. She’s passionate about New Media, User Experience, Brand Development, and creating memorable design experiences. She describes herself as a “Designer. Mac Addict. Lover of art and music. Do-gooder. Problem solver. Crafty One. Networker. Cook. Rattler. Joy-bringer.”

Carlos N. Chapman, MPH, CHES – Partnership & Outreach Coordinator, CDC NPIN

Carlos Chapman has joined Danya International as a Partnership and Outreach Coordinator for CDC’s National Prevention Information Network (NPIN).  Carlos has more than 4 years of experience in providing technical assistance to partners and organizations in support of HIV/AIDS prevention and education.  He has developed and implemented communication and social media strategies, internal and external trainings, and related curricula for partners to address HIV/AIDS in the public and private sector and among targeted audiences. In his role at Danya, Carlos provides NPIN stakeholder engagement and communication support, coordinates the acquisition of materials from grantees and CDC,  and supports national observances. Carlos has a B.S in Health Science from Columbus State University and a M.P.H. (concentration in health education and health promotion) from Morehouse School of Medicine.  Carlos is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).

Katie Mooney, MPH, CPH – Health Communications Specialist

Katie Mooney is a Georgia bulldawg, Seattle transplant, and lover of all things public health! Though she misses Jittery Joe’s coffee and the 10-minute commutes only found in Athens, GA, she is thoroughly enjoying her time in Atlanta working as a Health Communications Specialist, a Young Life leader, and Community Health Ambassador. She loves working with people and helping them find their way to a more successful, healthy life.

Sarah Gennett – Health Communications Specialist

Sarah, a Health Communications Project Manager, has worked in public relations and communications for the past eight years. Growing up, she dreamt of being a broadcast news reporter, but decided she couldn’t support her international travel obsession on a reporter’s salary. She went into public relations instead and loves following current events and pitching interesting story ideas to reporters.

Sarah is passionate about preventing disease through the promotion of healthy behaviors and hopes her strong writing, editing and account management skills will contribute to a healthier population. She is particularly interested in motivating Americans, especially youth, to enjoy exercise.

Prior to Danya, Sarah worked in New York City as Public Relations Director at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia where she frequently visited the test kitchens.

Sarah graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in journalism.

Cynthia J. Newcomer – Content Marketing Manager, CDC NPIN

Although never a circus performer, Cynthia Newcomer juggles the moving parts of multiple Web projects, and recently worked on a responsive design site for CDC, m.hivtest.cdc.gov. With roots as a field organizer, she appreciates social media’s possibilities to reach the multitudes. A fan of Twitter, she conceived of and coordinated the 2010 National HIV Testing Day Twitter Town Hall. In her spare time she juggles various community projects and reads, swims, and dances as much  as possible.

Tracye Poole – Digital Marketing and Health Communication Specialist

Tracye has more than 12 years of experience in the marketing and communications field.  In her role at Danya as a Digital Marketing and Health Communication Specialist, Tracye provides health communication and digital media expertise across a range of communication, marketing, and partnership projects. Her focus is on developing and implementing outreach and evaluation activities for digital health communication strategies, including web outreach, social media engagement, online content creation and dissemination, online community engagement, and mobile technologies.  In her previous position as a Communications Advisor for Research in Motion/The Blackberry Company, Tracye created comprehensive, strategic communication plans for major initiatives.  Tracye worked for CDC as a Sr. Communications Specialist, creating and implementing public health communications plans, materials, and tools.  She also worked for Nielsen Media Research analyzing both quantitative and qualitative research. Tracye is a graduate of Georgia Southern University, with a B.A. in Communications and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Kennesaw State University.

Amanda Bowen – Associate Project Director

Amanda’s curiosity and shrewd attention to detail have aptly served her in conducting independent research and managing federally funded projects. Through her educational and professional development in the social sciences and public health, she has had the opportunity to publish technical writing, develop website and product content, and blog. She brings a passion for the written word home where she enjoys reading and writing about mental health, social policy, nutrition, and cooking.

Tiffany D. Spencer – Jr. Health Communications Specialist

Tiffany D. Spencer joined Danya in February 2013 as a Jr. Health Communications Specialist. In this role, Tiffany provides communications and marketing support for the Center for Global Health’s global HIV/AIDS issues, and also assists in the planning and implementation of communication strategies and campaigns by conducting communication research and writing tasks. Tiffany graduated from American Public University with a master’s degree in public health, and also holds a B.A. in communications from the University of Alabama (ROLL TIDE!). When she is not researching public health issues, Tiffany enjoys painting, travelling to new places, social media, outdoor activities, cooking, and Alabama football.

Kianta Key – Health Communications and Digital Marketing Specialist

Kianta is a health communications and digital marketing specialist, food truck owner and aspiring social entrepreneur. In her spare time, she likes watching yoga videos and writing in a Moleskine journal. Hailing from Atlanta, Kianta is always down for Waffle House, listening to Outkast, and thrifting.