Our Team
The Immunization Partnership is made up of an outstanding team of knowledgeable individuals whose backgrounds comprise public health, policy, law, and finance expertise. We value the collaboration of distinct ideas in an effort to launch advocacy initiatives, establish long-lasting partnerships, support immunization best practices, and conduct grassroots community education programs. We are all committed to the mission of eradicating vaccine-preventable diseases.

Allison Winnike, J.D.
President/CEO
Allison Winnike, J.D.
awinnike@immunizeusa.org
Allison Winnike is President & CEO of the Immunization Partnership. She also serves as Adjunct Professor for the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Health Policy Studies from Rice University and her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center where she trained at the Federal Legislation Clinic.
She received the National Center for State Courts’ 2016 Distinguished Service Award, one of the highest awards presented by the organization, for her significant contributions to the justice system as a result of her public health emergency preparedness legal scholarship and outreach. In addition, she was awarded the American Public Health Association Law Section’s 2016 Early Career Award for Excellence in Public Health Law, given annually to an individual who demonstrates great promise as a future leader in the field of public health law and in recognition of her contributions to research, teaching and mentoring, practice and advocacy.
She published two books on emergency preparedness laws. In 2014 and 2016, Winnike published updates to “Control Measures and Public Health Emergencies: A Texas Bench Book.” Also in 2016, as a member of the Conference of Chief Justices Pandemic and Emergency Response Task Force, she released a model bench book for states called, “Preparing for a Pandemic: An Emergency Response Benchbook and Operational Guidebook for State Court Judges and Administrators.”
Winnike serves as Governing Councilor for the American Public Health Association Law Section, Vice Chair of the American Bar Association Health Law Section’s Public Health & Policy Interest Group, and Chair of the Pandemic Vaccine Task Force. She serves on several boards and committees, including the ABA COVID-19 Task Force; the Conference of Chief Justices Pandemic and Emergency Response Task Force; the Health Law & Policy Institute Advisory Board; and the Immunization Law and Policy Collaboration where she co-chairs the Resources, Repository, and Curation Committee. She is a recent Adjunct Professor for the University of Houston Law Center’s Health Law & Policy Institute.
She is a graduate of the Leadership Texas Class of 2016, where she was nominated to join an elite network of outstanding women leaders, and the American Leadership Forum Class XLVI for health care leaders. She is also a member of the Texas Bar College, an honorary society of lawyers recognized for their professional skills and the quality of their service to the public.
Prior to joining the Immunization Partnership in September 2017, she served as Research Director and Research Professor for the University of Houston Law Center Health Law & Policy Institute where her teaching and research interests focused on public health law and health legislation and advocacy. Particular areas of expertise include immunization law and policy; public health emergency preparedness and response; health legislative drafting; health information technology and telemedicine; and smoking and tobacco laws.
Prior to joining the faculty of the Law Center, she worked on health policy in the United States Senate Office of the Majority Leader for former Senator Bill Frist, M.D. and on the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on Public Health chaired by Senator Frist. In the Senate, she worked on a wide variety of health policy issues and legislation, including bioterrorism and infectious disease, patient safety, telemedicine, health insurance, genetic discrimination, medical liability insurance, bioethics, obesity, organ donation, pharmaceuticals and vaccines.

Hill Olson, J.D.
Chief Operating Officer
Hill Olson, J.D.
holson@immunizeusa.org
Hill Olson is Chief Operating Officer of the Immunization Partnership where she manages daily program and administrative operations. She oversees program development, implementation, and evaluation to ensure existing and emerging community needs are met.
She is a licensed attorney and certified mediator. Before joining the TIP team, Olson spent eight years working in the public health and government sector. She has experience in several leadership positions, including administering ten departments ranging from compliance and auditing to HIPAA privacy and security.
Olson earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing research and analysis and sales management from the University of Houston and her Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law.

Ashtyn Hooper
Chief Development Officer
Ashtyn Hooper
ahooper@immunizeusa.org
Ashtyn Hooper is Chief Development Officer of the Immunization Partnership where she specializes in leading development strategies. She is dedicated to improving the health of communities across the state by driving TIP’s mission forward as it works to eradicate vaccine-preventable diseases through education, advocacy and support of immunization best practices.
Prior to joining TIP, she served as Deputy Assistant Director at the City of Houston where she devised and implemented development strategies, marketing and communications plans, and operational initiatives.
Hooper received her Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Texas at Austin.

Ashley Beale, M.P.H.
Program Coordinator
Ashley Beale, M.P.H.
abeale@immunizeusa.org
Ashley Beale is Program Coordinator for The Immunization Partnership. She uses her public health knowledge to coordinate projects and conduct research – ranging from state-funded initiatives like the Texas Immunizers and Stakeholders Working Groups (TISWG) to projects that explore factors contributing to immunization rates in a variety of communities throughout the state. She also provides program and administrative support for the TIP team.
Prior to joining TIP, Ashley served as Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Health Communications Fellow at the U.S. Army Public Health Center for five years. She developed print materials, created health campaigns, and generated innovative targeted messaging – contributing to the health and wellbeing of Soldiers worldwide.
Beale earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College and a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health.

Katy Gore, M.P.H.
Coalitions and Education Program Manager
Katy Gore, M.P.H.
kgore@immunizeusa.org
Katy Gore is Coalition and Education Program Manager of the Immunization Partnership where she conducts community and provider forums to educate the public on the latest in vaccine-related science and builds the capacity of community-based immunization coalitions.
Prior to joining TIP she served as Program Analyst for the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). Her experience includes working with local health departments on raising HPV vaccination rates by guiding coalitions through a process of creating a mission and vision statement, partnership building, and the development of an action plan.
Prior to her work with HPV coalitions, Gore worked with the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) framework, which guides local health departments through a process of community engagement and strategic partnership building with the goal of creating a Community Health Improvement Plan for Accreditation of their local health department. She spent a year with AmeriCorps Community HealthCorps working with teens on health education. She also served as a Reproductive Educational Advocate at Planned Parenthood.
Gore received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Education from American University and her Master of Public Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health.

Carrie Fitch
Development Assistant
Carrie Fitch
cfitch@immunizeusa.org
Carrie Fitch is Fund Development Assistant of The Immunization Partnership, serving in that role since November 2015. She applies her planning, writing, and administrative expertise to further TIP’s donor development and fundraising activities. Previously, she has worked in an administrative capacity in a variety of industries, including energy, finance, and other non-profits. Prior to joining TIP, Carrie was traveling the world and pursuing her passion for screenwriting.
Fitch earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from State University of New York (SUNY) at Fredonia. When she’s not working, Carrie enjoys screenwriting, traveling, exploring world cuisines, healthy plant-based eating, and spending time with family and friends.

Rekha Lakshmanan, M.H.A.
Director of Advocacy and Public Policy
Rekha Lakshmanan, M.H.A.
rlakshmanan@immunizeusa.org
Rekha Lakshmanan, M.H.A. is the Director of Advocacy and Policy for The Immunization Partnership, serving in the role since 2014. Rekha develops and implements the organization’s public policy and advocacy strategy at the Texas Legislature. She has worked three state legislative cycles and successfully passed legislation to improve access to care and health outcomes. Previous to The Immunization Partnership, Rekha spent over twelve years in the private sector helping health care organizations develop preventative and chronic care protocols to improve health outcomes. Rekha is also a contributing expert to Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. She holds a master’s degree in health care administration from Texas Woman’s University- Houston Medical Center and a B.A. in government from The University of Texas in Austin. Rekha is a graduate of Harvard Kennedy School’s Leadership, Organizing and Action: Leading Change program.

John Powell, M.B.A.
Communication Specialist
John Powell, M.B.A.
jpowell@immunizeusa.org
John Powell is the Communication Specialist for The Immunization Partnership. He has held communication leadership positions at public institutions and news organizations for more than 40 years. He has extensive experience leading or formulating executive and institutional communication at public research universities and state medical schools and clinics including the University of Houston, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), and the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. This includes writing speeches, op-ed pieces, legislative testimony, and magazine articles for presidents of five colleges and universities, governing board chairs, and the head of an international business association. He also served as the political media adviser for a state office holder in Texas and has taught at universities in Indiana, New Mexico, and Texas.
Powell's background also includes broadcast, print, and Web-based journalism for which he has received numerous awards, including 17 Houston Press Club Lone Star awards for Internet opinion writing. He has been a radio and television reporter, producer, and anchor and a commentator for The Red River Radio Network.

Jinny Suh, J.D.
Immunize Texas Lead
Jinny Suh, J.D.
jinny@immunizetx.com
Jinny Suh is the Immunize Texas Lead for The Immunization Partnership. Jinny organizes community advocates from across Texas to support pro-vaccine legislation at the Texas Capitol. Prior to joining TIP she practiced biopharmaceutical patent law and studied evolutionary herpetology in graduate school.
Suh earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern California, a Master of Science in Biology from the University of Michigan, and a Juris Doctor from Columbia University Law School. She is the mother of two young children and lives in Austin.

Rachel Walker, M.P.H.
Program Coordinator
Rachel Walker, M.P.H.
rwalker@immunizeusa.org
Rachel Walker is a Program Coordinator for The Immunization Partnership. In a role she’s held since May 2020, she contributes to TIP’s work to better understand factors impacting immunizations in Texas, while also working to increase community knowledge. Previously, she served as Program Assistant for TIP, working closely with the Texas Department of State Health Services to coordinate the Texas Immunizers and Stakeholders Working Groups (TISWG). Rachel has a love for the non-profit world and previously worked for an organization that served individuals with Down syndrome in Austin, Texas.
Walker earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health. In her free time, Rachel enjoys running marathons, exploring the outdoors, volunteering, discovering local restaurants, and spending time with her family, friends, and dog and cat, Charlie and Ralphie.

Lacy Waller
Immunize Texas Coordinator
Lacy Waller
lacy@immunizeTX.com
Lacy Waller is the Immunize Texas Program Assistant for The Immunization Partnership, where she organizes community outreach to grassroots advocates. Lacy is an experienced community organizer and advocate with a demonstrated history of working in the civic and social organization industry. She is skilled in community outreach, political consulting and campaigns, non-profit organizations, health advocacy, event planning, and research and data analysis.
Waller earned her Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities from Amarillo College and continued her studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
Executive Committee
Erich M. Sturgis, M.D., M.P.H.
Board Chair
Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, Baylor College of Medicine
John T. Dugan III, M.D.
Incoming Chair
Medical Clinic of Houston, LLP
Brooke McNeil, C.P.A.
Finance Chair
Tax Senior Manager, Deloitte
James E. Zucker, J.D., M.A.
Legal Chair
YetterColeman, LLP
Allison Connally
Secretary
Community Volunteer
Directors
Beth Colle, M.S., C.P.A.
Partner
Ernst & Young, LLP
Julie Davidson, M.B.A
Senior Manager
Compensation Department, Cheniere Energy
Lisa L. Ehrlich, M.D.
Physician
L. Ehrlich & Associates Medical Clinic PLLC
Lisa R. Fuller, M.D.
Pediatrician
Elizabeth Roath Garcia, M.A.
Manager, Studio and Gallery Programs
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Kimi Gordy, J.D., M.A.
Associate
BakerHostetler, LLP
C. Mary Healy, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatrics-Infectious Disease, Baylor College of Medicine
Nick Janik, M.B.A
Director of Business Development
Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital
Brandi Johnson
Regional Vice President
Medicaid Plan Marketing, Amerigroup
David R. Lairson, Ph.D.
Professor of Management and Policy Sciences
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health
Ken Letkeman
Senior Vice President
Chief Information Officer, Houston Methodist
Nidhi Malpani, M.P.H.
AVP Strategy Planning
HCA Healthcare
Lindy McGee, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital
Autumn Pruette, M.D.
Pediatrician
Texas Children's Pediatrics Baytown
Kenneth Russo, M.B.A., CHEP
Chief Financial Officer/ Ethics & Compliance Officer
The Woman’s Hospital of Texas
Kalyani B. Sonawane, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health
Gwen Emmett
Director Emerita
Melanie E. Mouzoon, M.D.
Director Emerita
Julie A. Boom, M.D.
Director, Immunization Project, Texas Children's Hospital
Maria Elena Bottazzi, Ph.D.
Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development
William Decker, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine
Peter J. Hotez, M.D., Ph.D.
Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Sabin Vaccine Institute
Albert Karam, M.D.
Pediatrician
Lindy McGee, M.D.
Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Pediatrics Around the Bend
Melanie Mouzoon, M.D.
Managing Physician for Immunization Practices, Kelsey-Seybold Clinics
Stanley Spinner, M.D.
Texas Children’s Pediatrics
Susan Wootton, M.D.
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Memorial Hermann