Human Resources Manager
suleimanadan@researchinaction.com

For more than a decade, I’ve been a grassroots organizer in Minneapolis and the country, growing my passion to gather, teach, equip and lead folks on causes that are important to me and my community. HR systems can be very complicated at times and I’m excited to provide a space for employees to get the resources they want and need, and be a strong support system throughout their time at RIA. I work closely with our Founder and CEO to create systems that embody the mission and vision and "Why" of RIA. I love that, at Research in Action, I can be unapologetically myself at all times and be part of an organization that puts community members at the head of the table when making decisions that impact their lives.

Senior Research Associate & Research Operations Manager
amandabolton@researchinaction.com

Coming from a disadvantaged community in St. Paul, I am passionate about doing meaningful work that uplifts and gives back to similar communities. With 20+ years in nonprofit and government research, I hold a Ph.D. and M.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri, St. Louis, and a B.A. in Sociology & Psychology from the University of Minnesota. My key achievements include leading correctional reentry programs in Kansas and Michigan, developing an LA community college Faculty Innovation Hub, evaluating substance abuse programs, and conducting California school district equity audits. I bring both strong research and methodology skills, along with the ability to connect authentically and empathetically with diverse community members. These combined abilities allow me to not only gather and analyze data effectively but also to translate findings into meaningful actions that resonate with and benefit the communities we serve.

Lead Junior Research Associate
madasenbriggs@researchinaction.com

My personal background and journey through academia kindled a passion for the ways that equity and justice are entwined with knowledge production and access. I have my PhD in Behavioral Science with a specialization in social psychology. I was fortunate to receive additional training in areas like educational and health psychology, but my research passions have always centered the interplay between the self and environments/society, particularly as it relates to collective liberation. Prior to joining RIA, I was a Data Analyst and a Qualitative Research Consultant throughout my graduate degree. Within RIA, I am most excited to platform impacted peoples and co-develop strategies that drive meaningful change. I am also excited to collaborate with and learn from my colleagues in an environment that embraces us holistically.

Quantitative Research Expert, MGIS
emilycavazos@researchinaction.com

I have a passion for finding principled and creative solutions towards collective liberation. My primary skillset is using GIS to critically assess an issue by adding not only geographical but also historical context about a place, and my professional perspective is grounded in the principles of Disability Justice. I am most excited about innovating around quantitative research methods to accurately represent the needs and experiences of community members. I am also excited to conduct research that moves away from the norm of treating issues as if they are siloed from larger systems of oppression.

MPH, Data Research Manager
cecelyhoyt@researchinaction.com

I am a white, queer, and non-binary public health research professional. I entered public health studies with a core desire to support communities in driving large-scale, structural shifts lead to equity in health and well-being. I have previously supported projects related equity in the child protective system, affordable childcare, and COVID-19 vaccination. The most impactful projects I have been part of were those that centered and uplifted the voices and knowledge of communities harmed by structural oppression. I am dedicated to advancing equity and justice through community-centered, antiracist, and participatory research design frameworks and data collection/analysis methods. I am excited for the opportunity to RIA in further developing a framework for co-producing knowledge and strategies to dismantle structural racism alongside community.

Senior Research Associate and Research Design Manager
angiemejia@researchinaction.com

As a cisgender woman of Mexican and Central American descent who embodies multiple disabilities and has survived incidents of reproductive oppression, I believe in the transformative power of synthesizing research tools with testimonio and other forms of speaking truth to power in creating just worlds. my goals as a researcher are enhanced by the ethos and vision of nepantlerismo – a Nahualt term used by Mexican feminist and queer theorist Gloria Anzaldúa to describe the ability to stand between and straddle multiple worlds and the desire to build puentes (bridges) and facilitate passages between them. I am always seeking to be a vulnerable co-learner and co-creator while ensuring that our communities are empowered to demand accountability, especially from those with more socially advantaged identities. I believe that the opportunity and space that RIA has provided me will allow me to engage in this work while using my more than 15 years of training in community-based participatory research.

Master of Human Rights, Research Support Specialist
socorrotopete@researchinaction.com

I am an advocate for gender and racial liberation, prison abolition, and human rights activism. In my Master of Human Rights from the University of Minnesota, I focused on the study of carcerality, race, and justice, emphasizing family separation. At RIA, I’m excited to uplift the voices of those most impacted by injustice and oppressive systems, and practice my life philosophy of “Nothing about them, without them.”

MPP, Special Projects Manager
emmawu@researchinaction.com

Using my Masters in Public Policy, my aim is to make all the marginalized voices heard and respected, I believe that “When solving problems, dig at the roots instead of just hacking at the leaves”. I am excited to work for RIA because of the opportunities to work with under-represented communities and push for equity changes. You can always find me on the tennis court, walking around the lakes, or exploring new food places in the Twin Cities.

Research Support Specialist
dheerayalamanchili@researchinaction.com

My background and upbringing have fueled my desire to actively engage in work and research that prioritizes equity. I am especially passionate about advancing environmental, health, and racial justice. During my undergraduate journey, I've had the opportunity to collaborate with diverse communities on a variety of projects focused on environmental justice, where I’ve seen firsthand the strength of community-based action and the powerful changes it can initiate. Thus, I’m incredibly excited to join RIA’s team of like-minded individuals in developing concrete, equitable research solutions that center and amplify community voices.

Executive Assistant & Organizational Support
info@researchinaction.com

From a young age, I was taught about injustice and it’s impact on communities, and became determined to make a difference in the world. I'm honored to be supporting Dr. Lewis and this team utilizing my background in customer service and employee management to bring empathy, thoughtfulness, and a mindset towards making sure the needs of the humans are met as well as the business as a whole. Working in a more collaborative environment with change makers, I appreciate the freedom to not only grow but to also be given the trust to better care for the workplace in this supporting role, as well as my family at home.