Kathie (Linbing) Cao, ScM
Office Manager, Beijing Regional Office

Kathie serves as the Office Manager of our Beijing Regional Office, providing oversight of general office administration and assistance in China-based projects. Before relocating back to Beijing, Kathie worked at our Boston Office as a researcher and translator for over two years. Previously, Kathie worked as an editor for the Chinese Medical Journal at the Chinese Medical Association. She has a Master’s degree in Health Policy and Management from Harvard School of Public Health.

Irene Daly, BA
Program Coordinator

Irene, who has been with our organization since 1999, works closely with the Associate Director of Business Development to develop and execute key administrative functions related to initiating new client relationships. By serving as a communications liaison between prospective clients and PHMI’s Business Development team, Irene helps set the stage for successful engagements.

Rachel D'Ambrosio, BS
Regional Manager, Global Programs

Rachel, a member of our team since 1999, is responsible for the management and implementation of educational and professional development programs for academic clients across the globe. Working with PHMI directors and Harvard faculty, she helps ensure program success and partner satisfaction. Prior to joining our organization, Rachel administered several national, federally-sponsored clinical research studies in the areas of pediatric oncology and pediatric cardiology at the University of Rochester Medical Center/Strong Memorial Hospital. She is fluent in both Italian and Spanish.

David Dore, MBA
Finance Manager

David joined the organization as the Finance Manager in November 2005. He is the liaison between PHMI’s Finance and Global Programs departments, providing financial information and direct project support. David is responsible for assisting with the financial management of client projects including pricing and financial analysis and reporting. He also assists in managing PHMI’s operating budgets and manages the accounts receivable, accounts payable, and cash management functions. He holds a BS in finance and an MBA from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College.

Varonica Frye, BS
Financial Coordinator

Varonica joined our Finance Department in November 2006 and is responsible for processing accounts payable and staff reimbursement transactions, supporting the annual budget process, and performing ad hoc financial analysis and reporting. Varonica assists with the organization of Finance’s daily functions by tracking payment processes, ensuring staff adherence to travel and accounting policies, and maintaining departmental records. She has a B.S. from Boston University in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and a minor in Psychology.

Ryan Gonzales, BA
Marketing Manager

Ryan strives to raise PHMI’s visibility both locally and internationally while strengthening the overall brand. He helps plan the integrated marketing communications activities that reach out to various medical communities in the Boston area and abroad. Ryan also manages PHMI’s participation in conferences and tradeshows and organized our first ever global health care forum for clients. Prior to joining our organization, Ryan worked for the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers located at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Hope College in Holland, Michigan and is currently pursuing his MBA at Boston University.

Pao Her, BA
Financial Associate

Pao works on the financial management of the Administration budget, China Office, and Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research. He also manages our organization’s travel budget, and provides support to other areas with various ah hoc financial analysis and reporting, as well as working on the annual budgeting and audit processes. He interacts daily with all levels of staff and provides guidance and ensures adherence to travel and accounting policies. Pao, who joined the team in 2004, graduated from Brown University with a baccalaureate degree in Economics in 2000 and is currently pursuing a graduate degree. His work history includes working as a financial analyst and a real estate investment consultant.

Denise Jones
Receptionist & Staff Assistant

Denise helps to ensure the smooth operation of many day-to-day activities at PHMI, including visits by clients and other associates, management of supplies and resources, and other vital functions in our busy office. She is often the first person one meets when visiting PHMI. Well organized and resourceful with strong communication skills, Denise previously worked for a number of years with an accounting firm based in Los Angeles, California.

Michael J. Kavanagh, BA
Regional Manager, Global Programs

As Regional Manager, Mike provides a wide range of project management services to many PHMI initiatives, including PHMI’s significant collaboration in Turkey, as well as active program development activities in China and the Asia-Pacific region. He works closely with PHMI directors, staff, and external faculty experts to implement and manage all aspects of project delivery, serves as primary interface with international clients, and has key participation in PHMI’s business development and contracting processes. Prior to joining the organization in 2003, Mike worked for 10 years at a Washington, D.C.-based human rights non-profit organization, where he managed a grant program focused on countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Edwidge Lafleur, BA
Program Coordinator, Global Progams

Edwidge is responsible for coordinating and managing the logistical details of the various activities of the Dubai collaboration, particularly the governance councils. Before joining the organization, Edwidge held positions in international development and diplomacy both in the U.S. and abroad. Edwidge received her BA in Development Economics and International Relations from the University of Miami and is fluent in French and Spanish.

Yael Oksenberg, MA
Program Coordinator, Global Programs

Yael provides high-level administrative support to members of the Global Programs team. Prior to joining our organization in 2007, Yael worked at the noted communications agency Hill, Holliday, where she focused on online media campaigns. She holds a master’s degree in Global Marketing, Communications, and Advertising from Emerson College, and bachelor’s degrees in Global Studies and Communications from the University of California-Santa Barbara.

Nancy M. Soule, AS
Executive Assistant

One of the original HMI pioneers, Nancy is the Executive Assistant to Andrew A. Jeon, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer. As Executive Assistant, she plays a pivotal role in helping ensure the smooth and efficient operation of a very busy office. She manages the demanding schedule of Dr. Jeon and serves as liaison between PHMI and other departments within the Partners HealthCare System, as well as PHMI ’s international and corporate alliances.  In December 2001, Nancy was the first recipient of the HMI Employee Recognition Award, and in May of 2006 was honored with the prestigious Dolores J. Brown Staff Award for contributions to the mission of Harvard Medical School and Harvard Medical International.

Elizabeth Sylvester, M Ed, MPH
Administrator for Educational Development and Evaluation

Elizabeth works closely with PHMI faculty and clients to develop proposals and programs that focus on the creation of new medical facilities and education programs in international settings. She has a Master's degree in Education from Boston University where she concentrated in international educational development and a Master’s degree in Public Health in international health, also from Boston University. Her professional interests are to develop clinical and educational programs aimed to help physicians to provide compassionate care in a world of changing technologies.

Karin Vander Schaaf, BA
Manager of Administrative Operations

Karin serves as the Manager of Administrative Operations with responsibility for oversight of general office administration and special assignments including serving as Project Manager on the build-out and relocation of our Boston offices in spring 2008. From September 2003 to October 2004, Karin served in Dubai, UAE as the Program Manager for the initial phase of the Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) project and, since her return to Boston, has continued to coordinate DHCC project-related administrative matters. Karin has been with our organization since July 1998 after working at Johns Hopkins University. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received a Graduate Certificate of Special Studies in Administration and Management in June 2002 from the Harvard University Extension School.

Ryan Wildes, BA
Regional Manager, Global Programs

Ryan is responsible for supporting PHMI’s long-term client relationships, working closely with senior staff and clients to develop customized approaches to help them achieve their goals. Previously, Ryan worked and traveled in Kosovo, Ecuador, and throughout Europe. He worked for several years in Emergency Medical Services and holds a certificate in Managing Disasters & Complex Humanitarian Emergencies from Boston University’s School of Public Health.