Alisa O’Brien, associate vice president, uses her experience from working on Capitol Hill and in state government to develop creative and effective communications and policy strategies to build support for causes and achieve success for her clients. She has designed campaigns, events and communications products, including synthesizing technical and complex information, to raise awareness and spur policy change. At Burness, Alisa has worked in the areas of maternal and infant health, violence prevention, aging, global health, child health and poverty, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Childhood Obesity Initiative.

Prior to joining Burness, Alisa spent five years working as an adviser to Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) on chronic disease prevention, wellness, children and family issues. She then went on to serve as public policy and government affairs liaison for the Iowa Department of Human Services. Most recently, Alisa was the chief for community wellness and obesity prevention at the Ohio Department of Health.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from St. Bonaventure University.