Avenel Joseph, Ph.D., vice president for policy, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Avenel Joseph, Ph.D., vice president for policy, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Ep. 54: Avenel Joseph, Ph.D, joined the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in early 2020 as the vice president for policy, where she leads the foundation’s policy office and heads its Washington presence. Previously, Joseph served for more than 10 years shaping public policy in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. She began her career on Capitol Hill in 2009 in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she worked in both a personal office and on the Natural Resources Committee. In July 2013, she moved to the Senate as the chief health advisor for Senator Edward J. Markey, managing a comprehensive health care portfolio before transitioning to become his director of policy and oversight. Joseph received her Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology at Emory University; graduated with a master’s degree in developmental toxicology from the University of Illinois, Urbana‐Champaign; and earned her bachelor’s degree in animal sciences from Pennsylvania State University.    Listen now, and learn how Avenel is an innovative leader in health care policy. For more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/ [https://healthfund.org/]

Justin Duncan, BS, NRP, CCEMT-P, FP-C, chief executive officer, Washington County Ambulance District

Ep: 53:  A rerun of one of our most popular episodes of 2025. Justin Duncan, BS, NRP, CCEMT-P, FP-C, serves as the chief executive officer for Washington County Ambulance District. Chief Duncan holds a bachelor’s degree in EMS administration and is currently a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership.   Chief Duncan has a long history in EMS, serving as both a ground and air EMS clinician. He obtained numerous certifications and designations, including the following: Nationally Registered Paramedic, Missouri Licensed Paramedic, Board-Certified Critical Care Paramedic and Board-Certified Flight Paramedic.   Given Chief Duncan’s history of dedication to healthcare and passion for education, his career naturally progressed into both education and leadership. He has served as an EMS instructor, a line level supervisor, department manager, regional director and now chief executive officer.   In addition to overseeing Washington County Ambulance District, Chief Duncan serves as the president of the Missouri EMS Association (MEMSA), is a board member for the Missouri EMS Agent Corporation, and a member of the National EMS Management Association.   Chief Duncan has endeavored to maintain both breadth and depth in all his healthcare pursuits. He is a life-long advocate for EMS professionals, an ardent supporter of education, and is constantly looking for new ways to bring innovative therapies into the prehospital setting. He is particularly passionate about mobile integrated healthcare systems and the study of mechanical ventilation. Listen now, and learn how Justin is an innovative leader in healthcare. For more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/ [https://healthfund.org/]

Tracy Quillin, associate director, Humanities Kansas

Ep. 52: Tracy Quillin joined Humanities Kansas as the director of communications in 2007 and became associate director in 2014. Tracy started her career in the museum field and was curator of education at the Johnson County Museum for eight years. Tracy holds a BA in history, art history, and history of culture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master’s degree in historical administration and museum studies with an emphasis in history from the University of Kansas. She was a member of the Leadership Lawrence class of 2023.   Listen now, and learn how Tracy is an innovative leader in Kansas. For more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/ [https://healthfund.org/]

Elliot Regenstein, partner, Foresight Law + Policy

Ep. 51: Elliot Regenstein is a Chicago-based partner at Foresight Law + Policy. Elliot has extensive experience in state-level policy and advocacy, with a particular focus on early learning; he has also consulted with more than two dozen states on a wide range of education policy topics.  Much of his work focuses on how decision-making occurs in state education and early education systems: who is responsible for which decisions, what information they have to support those decisions, and what incentives are acting on key stakeholders. He is a frequent author [https://www.flpadvisors.com/uploads/4/2/4/2/42429949/emr_papers.0526.pdf] and speaker on topics including accountability, governance, state data systems, and the connections between early learning and K-12. In 2022 Rowman & Littlefield published Elliot’s first book, Education Restated: Getting Policy Right on Accountability, Teacher Pay, and School Choice [https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781475865899/Education-Restated-Getting-Policy-Right-on-Accountability-Teacher-Pay-and-School-Choice]. In 2026 Harvard Education Press published Elliot’s second book, Readiness: Preparing State Early Childhood Systems for a Brighter Future [https://hep.gse.harvard.edu/9798895570487/readiness/]. Elliot was one of the chief architects of Illinois' 2006 Preschool for All program, and co-chaired the Illinois Early Learning Council from 2004 until April 2009.  He served as chair of the Illinois Early Learning Council’s Data, Research, and Evaluation Sub-Committee from 2009 to 2022, and from 2015 to 2021 he served as Chair of the Illinois Longitudinal Data System Governing Board.  In 2017 he chaired an Illinois State Board of Education workgroup that developed a recommendation for a P-2 indicator to be included in the state’s education accountability plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act.  In 2019 he was appointed by Governor Pritzker to Illinois’ Early Childhood Funding Commission, on which he chaired the Funding Mechanics working group.  Listen now, and learn how Elliott is an innovative leader in early childhood policy and advocacy. For more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/ [https://healthfund.org/]

Robert Stiles, chief executive officer, Community Care Network of Kansas

Ep. 50: Robert became the chief executive officer of Community Care Network of Kansas in June 2025. Throughout his career, he has focused on advancing local solutions, building strong partnerships, and championing advocacy efforts at the state, community, and local levels.   In his role at CCNK, Robert works to support the needs of clinics serving communities across Kansas, helping ensure access to quality health care for all Kansans. His leadership is guided by a commitment to creating healthy communities where individuals can live, learn, work and play while achieving their highest possible level of health.   Listen now, and learn how Robert is an innovative leader in Kansas.   For more about the Health Fund, visit https://healthfund.org/ [https://healthfund.org/]