Andy Burness
Founder and President, Burness Communications
With more than 25 years experience providing communications counsel to leading health and science nonprofits worldwide, Andy offers his insights on advocacy to leaders at universities, foundations, interest groups, research institutions and government agencies on four continents. His communications expertise touches on a wide range of issues, including biomedical research, health policy, global health and development, poverty alleviation and public health. More about Andy
Carol Schadelbauer
Vice President, and Director, Burness Health & Science Advocacy Institute
Carol brings to her work with the Institute more than 23 years of public relations experience with nonprofits in science and health. Her work with the American Hospital Association, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, and the National Academy of Sciences makes her an effective teacher for those who seek to translate research into policy impact. Carol's work has focused on health issues, and children’s health in particular. She is the company's primary creative force behind training design, ensuring that workshops and classes are instructive, dynamic and entertaining. More about Carol
Linda Loranger
Senior Vice President and Director, Health Policy Team
Linda applies 20 years of public relations and journalism experience to her media relations instruction at the Institute. As a Senior Vice President at Burness and Director of its Health Policy Team, she has led workshops on communicating health policy, specializing in helping policy researchers convey their findings and recommendations to broader audiences. She has done extensive work in this regard for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, working with researchers at universities across the country to advance understanding of their work and findings. More about Linda
Mary Darby
Vice President for Health Policy
Mary’s mix of experience in journalism, publishing and public relations informs her role as the Institute’s persuasive writing instructor. A former reporter and Congressional press secretary, Mary is quick to understand the complexities of social issues and to explain them clearly and concisely. She brings this experience to bear at the Institute, training researchers to couch their work in language that makes sense to both reporters and editors. More about Mary
Ben Milder
Vice President, and Director, Public Policy Team
With prior service on Capitol Hill and at a Washington-based lobbying firm, Ben leads Burness’ policy operations, developing strategies to advance nonprofits’ ideas in the world of public policy. He manages one of the company’s largest efforts, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Connect Project, providing high level policy training to hundreds of health leaders each year, and connecting them directly with Members of Congress and state and local policymakers. More about Ben
Janet Firshein
Vice President for Health Policy and Director of Special Events
With more than 22 years of experience writing on health policy issues, Janet joined Burness in 1998 as a highly respected health care journalist. During her tenure at Burness, Janet has directed and worked on projects related to health care policy, including access to care for the uninsured, patient safety and quality improvement, medical professionalism and ethics, community-based health care, medical research, and public and global health. More about Janet
Nick Seaver
Associate for Health & Science Advocacy
Nick has participated in more 20 media, messaging and communications trainings at the Institute. He works developing new curricula and content for these sessions, focusing both on traditional media and on new and social media tools and strategies. More about Nick
PAUL TIBBITS, Senior Associate, Public Policy More about Paul
ELIZABETH WENK, Senior Associate, Public Policy More about Elizabeth
JEFF HASKINS, Media Officer, Global Health and Science More about Jeff
BETHANNE FOX, Senior Associate, Health Policy More about Bethanne