Who We Are

Jillian Foley, MPPM

Policy Associate II & Place Matters Project Director

Jillian has over 15 years of experience in research, education, and social policy. She holds a Master’s in Public Policy and Nonprofit Management with certificates in social justice policy analysis, and applied research and evaluation. She focused her undergraduate education on sociology and gender studies and has held a variety of roles in social research, policy, and advocacy, as well as roles in community service and education. Jillian collaborates on multi-systems research, policy work, evaluation, community engagement, and program development. Jillian is passionate about social justice and using research to inform systems change. Her expertise include participatory and community-centered research, strategic planning & design, and cultural responsivity. As the Project Director of Place Matters, Jillian leads a variety of initiatives focused on creating opportunities for system-involved youth and families in their communities. In her free time, Jillian is usually chasing after kids, gardening, reading, and spending time outdoors.

Swathi Sivasubramanian

Program Manager & Policy Associate I

Swathi’s background as a middle school science teacher has been the foundation of her deep commitment to supporting public-serving systems in creating genuine belonging and empowerment for all young people. Swathi supports young people in growing their leadership and advocacy skills and in building partnerships with adult allies to create pathways for young people to directly inform the systems meant to serve them. Currently, Swathi works as a the Program Manager for the Young People’s Caucus (YPC) and dee Clarke Justice Fellowship (dCJF) initiatives, and leads community engagement for other initiatives at the Institute. She also collaborates with partners to design curriculum and programs statewide. Outside of work, Swathi loves to hike, tell and hear stories, lounge with her cats, and sing.

Madison Burke

Research Analyst II

Madison graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology. Her past research experience includes a number of projects examining topics such as affordable housing, equitable access to healthcare and childcare, and the impact of prison environments in the U.S. on the wellbeing of formerly incarcerated individuals. Madison returned home after graduation, and has since worked at a variety of labs, schools and non-profits before joining the Catherine Cutler Institute where she works on a variety of research, evaluation, data analysis, and community engagement projects with the Place Matters, Data Innovation Project, and Justice Policy teams. She also supports the Young People’s Caucus (YPC) as an evaluator, researcher, and mentor where she supports youth in engaging in systems change opportunities. Madison is passionate about bringing positive, tangible change to youth and families across Maine through advocacy, early intervention and education. When not working, Madison enjoys exploring nature, foraging, writing, arts and crafts, and cuddling with her pets.

Olivia Eckert, MSW

Program Coordinator & Policy Analyst I

Olivia is deeply passionate about systems change and ensuring policies and programs consider root causes and complexities of life. She is inspired by using systems thinking to ground her professional work and better navigate life’s offerings. Olivia holds an MSW and Graduate Certificate in Policy Analysis from the University of Southern Maine, where she worked as a Graduate Assistant for the Place Justice Project, the Data Innovation Project, and Place Matters. In her current role, Olivia is the program coordinator for the dee Clarke Justice Fellowship and the Young People’s Caucus (YPC). She supports operations, curriculum development, and acts as a co-facilitator for both programs. Olivia also manages the YPC Social Media Advocacy Team where she works to empower young people to learn about systems change and engage in their communities. Prior to coming to USM, Olivia worked as a Housing Resource Manager for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which is what inspired her to pursue her graduate education. Olivia is also a former intern and long-time volunteer for Wabanaki REACH which she attributes to her growth as a professional and individual.  Olivia offers gratitude and acknowledgment towards Wabanaki Land for being the place where she advanced her education and found her career. While Olivia is originally from Connecticut, she recognizes traditional Abenaki territory (Portland, ME) as her current home.

Sarah Louden

Project Assistant II

Sarah has worked at the Catherine Cutler Institute in various roles since 2021. She now works on the Place Matters team where she provides administrative, financial, and project support to Youth and Community Engagement (YCE) and Justice Policy Program projects. During the last decade, Sarah has worked in many spaces within the public service sector, including multiple years teaching ELL/ESL students within the K-12 school system. She enjoys collaborating with young people from a diverse array of backgrounds & cultures, who continue to inspire and to challenge her, and who constantly promote change and compassion all around them. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys the company of humans and cats alike; cooking and baking; and appreciating both beautiful urban and rural spaces in Maine. She can frequently be found volunteering her time on civic engagement and electoral campaigns in her community, where she believes in building people power for both the present moment and for the future.

Becky Wurwarg

Graphic Design + Communications Strategist

Becky is a graphic designer who works across multiple teams at the Catherine Cutler Institute including the Data Innovation Project, the Justice Policy Program, the Youth and Community Engagement Team, and the Disability and Aging Program. Becky combines training in data communication with expertise in foundational design principles and current design trends to create informative and engaging visual representations. She enjoys working closely with colleagues to develop a creative vision for sharing their data, research, and stories in clear and digestible ways. In her spare time, she can be found cooking a big dinner or lending a hand at her local culinary knife shop.