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 concentrations in social justice policy analysis, 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 has a history of helping nonprofits better utilize data and she is passionate about social justice and using data to make informed policy and practice changes. Jillian collaborates across the institute on multi-systems research, data analysis, policy work, evaluation, community engagement, and program development. Her expertise include participatory and community-centered research, data analysis, strategic planning, and gender 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.

Sarah Goan, MPP

Senior Research Associate & Managing Director of CYF/JPP

Sarah directs the Children Youth and Family/Justice Policy Program areas, and the Data Innovation Project (DIP), an initiative focused on building the evaluation and data capacity of Maine’s mission-driven institutions. She provides leadership, consulting, and strategic planning to the Place Matters project. Sarah has over twenty years of experience in conducting evaluation and applied research related to programs that enhance child and family well-being, with particular expertise in youth substance abuse prevention, mental health, positive youth development, and trauma-informed systems of care. She has provided facilitation and technical assistance to a number of organizations on developing logic models, identifying program metrics, developing continuous quality improvement processes, and conducting organizational assessments.

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.

Emma Schwartz

Research Analyst II

Emma brings diverse experience, from market research to business operations, to the Justice Policy Program. She supports a number of evaluation projects and programs with the Place Matters and Data Innovation Project teams, using data to drive sustainable, community-informed solutions. She also acts as the co-facilitator on the Region 3 Regional Care Team and is a core member of the statewide design team. A lifelong Mainer, she is committed to addressing statewide, systemic barriers to justice and ensuring a better future for young people, regardless of their background. Emma received her B.A. in World Literatures and Jewish Studies from Smith College in 2021. After work, you can find her running the Back Cove, playing ultimate frisbee, or attempting the New York Times crossword.

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 a facilitator of our Justice Network program and 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.

Timothy Atkinson

Research Analyst I

Tim comes to the Catherine Cutler Institute from a background in technology startups and clean energy technology, where he served as a software engineer and an engineering leader. He previously served on the Portland Board of Public Education from 2017-2020, which encouraged him to further pursue his interests in policy and collective impact. He is currently a graduate student at the USM’s Muskie School of Public Service, where he is pursuing his Master’s in Policy, Planning, and Management. Tim now leverages his background  with technology development, data analysis, organizational leadership, and continuous improvement from nearly two decades working in the private sector, combined with his public service experience and graduate education in his role at Catherine Cutler. As a member of the Place Matters and Data Innovation Project teams he supports research, evaluation, and community engagement initiatives to help public and nonprofit partners increase their impact in Maine’s communities. When he’s not working with data and policy, Tim enjoys reading, swimming, playing guitar and volunteering at his children’s schools and with unhoused Maine residents

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.