Founder and Principal

Charles Ishikawa is Kahuina's founder, president and principal consultant. With more than 22 years of practical experiences that spans local, state and federal agencies, Charlie’s work has improved the health of our nation with integrity and compassion. He is an award-winning epidemiologist, a master facilitator, and an expert in managing change through community and stakeholder initiatives that set national public health informatics practices and policies. Kahuina Consulting is an extension of his core values. Mr. Ishikawa holds a Masters of Science in Public Health from Emory University.

Senior Director

Marcus Rennick leans on his experiences as an applied epidemiologist and informatician to ground his work in promoting practical public health strategies. Marcus’ work spans health conditions and domains from asthma to zoonotic diseases based on his past life as a local disease detective. He advanced cooperation on system interoperability between state public health executives, EHR developers, and federal health leaders as a director at the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. Marcus earned his Master of Public Health concentrating in epidemiology and international health from Boston University (Boston, MA) in 2008 and holds a supplemental certificate in public health informatics from Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis.

Director

Sara Chang brings together her skills in coordination and facilitation as a manager for Kahuina Consulting. A drive to dissect and dismantle health inequities drew Sara to public health and work around the world – from HIV/AIDS training and counseling in South Africa to health education for mothers and children in Mexico. Previously, Sara worked for the National Association of County & City Health Officials, the Boston Public Health Commission, and correctional facilities in Massachusetts and Washington, DC. She graduated from Oregon State University with a Master of Public Health in Management and Policy.

Manager

Sarah Scott’s background in academic research, decision analysis, and policy evaluation informs her role as a senior consultant with Kahuina. A firm belief that circumstances should not dictate access to healthcare has driven Sarah to pursue a career in international public health. Whether supporting private/public partnerships for malaria control in Uganda or developing national Hepatitis strategies across the globe, Sarah believes in the value of partnerships to make data-driven decisions. Prior to joining Kahuina, Sarah served as a Research Consultant for the National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Beijing, China and as a Technical Specialist for the Centers for Disease Analysis Foundation in Colorado. She holds a Master of Science in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Senior Consultant

Orin Heintschel is a public health professional and epidemiologist, currently serving as a consultant for Kahuina Consulting, where he provides subject matter expertise, project coordination, and logistical support. Orin embarked on a career in public health driven by his desire to discover systemic solutions that ensure equitable opportunities for all individuals to thrive. Prior to joining Kahuina, Orin worked in local public health as an infectious disease epidemiologist and in quality and strategic management roles. He earned a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Texas A&M University.

Senior Consultant

Alayna Effron commands nearly two decades of experience in health education, health communications and technical assistance. She is committed to advancing public health initiatives that foster education and heighten awareness about the myriad health issues facing communities and individuals nationwide. Dr. Effron has leveraged her expertise in research, adult learning theory, and program design to address gaps in health disparities at community and state levels and across diverse healthcare systems. Specialization includes workforce training, resource development, and strategic planning. Through engaging with diverse stakeholders and cultivating new partnerships, Dr. Effron holds a Doctorate in Health Education from Columbia University, an M.Sc and B.S. in Public Health and Health Promotion from Indiana University, Bloomington, and is a Certified Health Education Specialist with the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.

Consultant

Brandon Bernhardt is an epidemiologist and public health professional dedicated to leveraging timely and accessible data to illuminate and address health inequities. Before joining Kahuina, he served as an epidemiologist at the Chicago Department of Public Health, where he specialized in developing data visualizations and dashboards, including managing Chicago’s COVID-19 Dashboard throughout the pandemic. He also worked as an informatics epidemiologist with the Illinois Department of Public Health, enhancing COVID-19 electronic lab reporting statewide. Brandon holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Consultant

Elyssa Stoops’ expertise are in epidemiological surveillance, data analysis, and public health program management. Her professional commitment to advancing global health equity is driven by her personal experiences growing up in the US healthcare system. Elyssa’s interest in implementing results-based strategies while fostering collaborative partnerships with diverse stakeholders has taken her across the world, from scaling up HIV surveillance systems in Zambia to managing large-scale infectious disease programs in Ghana. Elyssa holds a Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Associate

Gabriella Khawly is an applied epidemiologist who uses her skills in data communication and analysis, facilitation, and community engagement as a Public Health Associate for Kahuina Consulting. Gabby’s passion for public health stems from her belief in equitable access to health as a human right and her commitment to addressing the social determinants of health. She brings a wealth of experience from managing and implementing local and federal surveillance projects, conducting academic public health research, and supporting community-based organizations. Gabby’s work is centered on advancing health equity and evidence-based approaches to improving population health. She holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Health Policy & Practice from Columbia University.ion goes here