Open to opportunities

Reg Ledesma User

@regledesmauser

Message

I'm a health policy researcher focused on equity and data-driven solutions.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I'm seeking roles applying health policy and data analysis to advance health equity, deliver technical assistance to public-sector clients, lead stakeholder engagement, and build accessible digital tools in a collaborative, equity-focused organization.

I am a health policy researcher and analyst with more than six years supporting federal and state agencies, providing technical assistance and evidence-based policy guidance. I focus on improving access and outcomes for historically marginalized communities through practical, equity-centered solutions.

I lead stakeholder engagement with advocacy groups, providers, and policymakers and have authored policy briefs, dashboards, and technical reports to inform program and coverage reforms. I supported the modernization of beneficiary-facing Medicare decision tools and led state-level financial assistance modeling work to improve program sustainability and user experience.

My analytic work centers on large national and claims datasets, including MEPS, HCUP, and Medicare and Medicaid claims, and I produce public use files and advanced statistical products. I routinely apply regression, trend analysis, de-identification, and mixed-methods approaches using SAS, Python, R, Stata, SPSS, NVivo, Excel, and Tableau to turn data into actionable insights.

I hold a Master of Public Policy (health concentration) and a BA, and I combine rigorous analysis with community-centered engagement to drive policy change. I am committed to partnering with public-sector clients and community stakeholders to design accessible, data-informed programs that advance health equity.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Director and Co-Founder

Current

Liwanag Filipino Literature Festival

Jan 2024 - Present (1 year 9 months)

Led strategic communications and policy advocacy campaigns to elevate Filipino-American literature and cultural equity, building partnerships with nonprofits and government agencies. Supervised cross-functional teams and managed media relations.

Strategic Communications Advocacy Partnership Building Team Leadership Event Management Media Relations

Current

Soccer and Service Learning Coach

Current

DC Scores

Jan 2024 - Present (1 year 9 months)

Guide youth in poetry and creative writing workshops and develop public speaking and self-expression skills through community-based arts education. Support curriculum delivery and mentor program participants.

Mentoring Creative Writing Public Speaking Community Engagement

Health Equity Researcher

American Institutes for Research

Jul 2021 - Jun 2025 (3 years 11 months)

Provide technical assistance and policy support to federal and state agencies (CMS, CDC, AHRQ, EEC) and lead stakeholder engagement to inform coverage and service delivery reforms. Analyze national datasets (MEPS, HCUP, Medicare/Medicaid claims) and produce dashboards, briefs, and digital accessibility improvements.

Technical assistance MEPs HCUP Data Visualization Python R Stata SAS Stakeholder Engagement

Researcher

Bass Connections

Jan 2020 - Jan 2021 (1 year)

Researched biometric data collection in migrant surveillance and authored public comments to DHS on proposed surveillance expansion. Produced policy analysis and communications guidance for immigrant-rights advocacy post-COVID.

Qualitative Research Policy Analysis Public Comments Communication Advocacy

Policy Advisor

Delegate Ibraheem S. Samirah

Jan 2020 - Jan 2021 (1 year)

Advised on public option and Medicaid buy-in policy proposals and conducted interviews with legislators and health policy experts. Produced qualitative research and legislative briefings to support equity-centered health financing reform.

Policy Analysis Qualitative Research Health Financing Equity Communication

Political Team Associate

Bernie Sanders for President

Jan 2018 - Jan 2019 (1 year)

Supported campaign organizing efforts and coordinated volunteer teams during the 2018–2019 cycle to advance voter engagement and field operations. Contributed to outreach and grassroots mobilization strategies.

Volunteer coordination Outreach Field Operations

Consultant

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

Jan 2021 - Present (4 years 9 months)

Advised on patient-facing pricing tools following the CMS Price Transparency Rule and conducted data analysis and literature review on hospital transparency datasets. Delivered actionable recommendations for consumer-facing pricing features.

Policy Analysis literature review Data Visualization Excel Stakeholder Engagement

Consultant

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Jan 2020 - Present (5 years 9 months)

Delivered technical assistance to local health departments to enhance use of North Carolina’s Health Equity Impact Assessment tool and conducted a national landscape analysis. Synthesized stakeholder feedback into actionable state-level policy recommendations.

Technical assistance Stakeholder Engagement Policy Recommendations Report Writing

Economic Development Analyst

NCGrowth

Jan 2020 - Present (5 years 9 months)

Conducted economic development analysis and supported projects to inform local policy and program recommendations. Produced data-driven reports to guide stakeholder decision-making.

Data Analysis Report Writing Stakeholder Engagement