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.

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.

Research Support Specialist
ayizejames@researchinaction.com

My upbringing and my community are the sources of my passion for environmental, racial, queer/gender, and economic justice. I'm especially interested in the ways that land, clean water, and good food can be issues at the center of wider anti-oppression struggles. I’m excited to be part of RIA’s policy making research that serve Twin Cities communities using processes of reciprocity, collective wellbeing, and abolition.

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.”

BA in Public Health and Global Studies, Lead Research Support Specialist
tsiontulu@researchinaction.com

I am invested in identifying and bridging gaps in inequity, reproductive health justice, and global advocacy. In my undergraduate and professional career, I have had the opportunity to participate in and lead numerous collaborative, community-engaged projects that center on health, justice, and equity. These experiences not only gave me skills in Community-Based Participatory Research but also helped cultivate my passion for research, health equity, and community-engaged work. As a Black immigrant woman, my values and dedication to working among diverse, like-minded peers brought me to RIA and I look forward to co-developing meaningful research and creating transformational partnerships with diverse stakeholders.

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.

Research Fellow
angelaallen@researchinaction.com

My personal experiences and those of my community drive me to do justice work. I went into Social Work with a desire to work alongside marginalized communities to dismantle the structural oppressions that cause grave harms, and work towards collective liberation. I am especially passionate about the relationship between racial, gender, and economic justice and issues related to violence, trauma, and mental health. I’m excited to have the opportunity to work on research projects that build relationships with community members and ensure that their voices are at the center of every aspect of the work.