Workshop Facilitators

Andrew Ancharski, MSPH, serves as an epidemiologist for the CDC Foundation's Data for Health Initiative. Andrew received his first master’s degree in Parasitology and Tropical Medicine from Tulane University, and then his MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Colorado. He has extensive experience in capacity building for evidence-informed policy development and has led D2P implementations across Africa and Asia. His passions include education, infectious diseases, epidemiology, and data science. Prior to joining the CDC Foundation in August of 2022, Andrew worked as an epidemiologist at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health for six years. There, he worked with the Tuberculosis Control program, the Sexually Transmitted Diseases program, and the AIDS Activities Coordinating Offices. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was involved in many aspects of the response, including training the data team that was deployed for testing.

Andrew brings expertise in:

• Training program design and facilitation
• Policy brief development
• Mentorship and capacity strengthening
• Cross-country program implementation

Email: aancharski@cdcfoundation.org

Chandra Dhakal, PhD, is a health economist with the CDC Foundation's Data for Health Initiative, specializing in data-to-policy translation and capacity building for public health professionals. He has supported D2P program implementation in multiple countries and has expertise in training facilitation and mentorship. His work bridges rigorous quantitative methodology with real-world policy impact, translating complex econometric analyses into actionable evidence for decision-makers. With a PhD in Applied Economics from the University of Georgia, complemented by an MS in Statistics, he specializes in causal inference, structural econometric modeling, and health economic evaluation. His research addresses critical questions at the intersection of public policy and population health: How do safety net programs affect vulnerable populations? What incentive structures can improve public health outcomes? How can we optimize resource allocation in low- and middle-income countries?

Chandra's areas of expertise include:

• Policy analysis and economic evaluation
• Data analysis and visualization
• Structural Econometric Modeling
• Health Economic Evaluation (CEA, CUA, BIA)
• Decision-Analytic Modeling (Markov, Microsimulation)
• Training of trainers methodologies
• Public health program evaluation

Email: cdhakal@cdcfoundation.org

Diene Kaba, MPH, is a Program Officer coordinating the Data Impact Program within the CDC Foundation’s Data for Health Initiative. She is a dedicated, multilingual professional with strong administrative, organizational, operational, and leadership skills. Diene has extensive experience managing diverse projects and facilitating effective collaboration between public and private sector partners. Her expertise centers on global public health and emergency response, complemented by proven capabilities in budget management, strategic planning, human resources, and procurement. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Leadership in International Health and Sustainable Development at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. In her free time, Diene enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her family.

Diene's expertise encompasses:

• Program coordination and management
• Stakeholder engagement and partnership building
• Training logistics and implementation
• Cross-cultural facilitation and mentorship

Email: dkaba@cdcfoundation.org