Our Team
Elizabeth Lee
Elizabeth has dedicated her career to public health, working in a number of senior level policy roles. Under the Obama Administration, Elizabeth was the senior policy advisor to the administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, where she was responsible for the 340B Drug Pricing Program, HIV/AIDS issues and maternal and child health initiatives. Prior to her work at the Department of Health and Human Services, Elizabeth was a legislative aide to Senator Tammy Baldwin and a Winston Health Policy Fellow with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. She received her master’s in public administration from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service and her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University.
Shanta Whitaker
Shanta is a national leader in public health and health equity. Shanta worked with LMI Consulting as a subject matter expert on Medicare and Medicaid Shared Savings Programs and worked extensively with Accountable Care Organizations. Shanta has also been a senior health disparities analyst for the Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care, has served as an editor for American Journal Experts and as a post-doctoral fellow with the North Carolina State Public Health Laboratory. Shanta received her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Union University, a master’s degree in public health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and doctorate in microbiology from Yale University.
Emilia DiSanto
Emilia brings a wealth of experience from more than three decades in federal service, including 16 years on Capitol Hill working in the House and Senate. Emilia spent a great deal of her career working in health care oversight, most prominently as a senior aide to Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) on both the Senate Finance and Aging Committees. Additionally, Emilia conducted extensive oversight of the FDA and is responsible for the passage of the Physician Sunshine Payment Act. After leaving Capitol Hill, she took a series of high-level posts in the Executive Branch, most recently as the Deputy Inspector General to the U.S. Department of State. Earlier in her career, Emilia was Staff Director for the Senate Committee on Small Business. Emilia is an attorney who received her J.D. and BAs degrees from Fordham University.
Natascha Cumberlidge
Natascha has extensive experience analyzing and developing healthcare policies, spending the last decade driving policies on Capitol Hill and for a variety of healthcare clients. Before her work with Continuum, Natascha served as senior legislative aide to Congressman John Tierney (D-MA-6), advising him on policies regarding the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicaid, and prescription drug costs. Natascha holds a master’s degree from the Courtauld Institute of Art and Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire.
Claire Onyechi
Claire has extensive experience building coalitions and partnering with patient and clinician advocates to promote public health policy initiatives. Before her work with Continuum, Claire Onyechi was the Associate Director for the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee. She supported outreach efforts for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Claire has also served as a field organizer for the Alaska Democratic Party and worked at the State Department. Claire holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Santa Barbara and a master’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Mwai Sande
Mwai Sande is an associate. Prior to joining the firm, she was a researcher at the University of Maryland. Mwai has also interned at the Library of Congress. Mwai received her BA from the University of Maryland.
Alli Everton
Alli’s previous experience includes serving as an aide to Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), who served on the Ways & Means Committee and was co-chair of the House moderate Blue Dog Coalition. She also served on the staff of then-Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN). Alli received her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University.
Preeyanka Rao
Preeyanka Rao is an associate. Prior to joining the firm, she worked as a researcher, evaluating medication therapy management (MTM) programs. She received her master’s degree in public health and bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Isabella Nielsen
Isa Nielsen is an Associate. In her current role, she is responsible for policy research, navigation, and tracking related to Medicaid, maternal health, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and health equity/social drivers of health. Prior to this role, Isa completed a capstone internship at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, an internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and an internship at the Washington, D.C. Department of Health. She holds a BS in Community Health from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Ellyn Needle
Ellyn Needel is an associate. Prior to joining the firm, she served on the staff of the American Beverage Association and as an associate with a Washington government relations firm specializing in environmental and agricultural issues. A former intern to Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-MA), Ellyn received her BA from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.