Staff

	Crispin Delgado, MPP Executive Director Crispin Delgado currently serves as Executive Director of Insure the Uninsured Project (ITUP). Prior to joining ITUP, Crispin served as Public Policy Director for Northern California Grantmakers. Over his 20-year career, Crispin has worked in academia, local government, philanthropy, and the non-profit sectors. As Program Officer at Blue Shield of California Foundation, Crispin led a robust portfolio on the Health Care and Coverage team. His work primarily focused on improving access to and quality of care for all Californians. In this same role, Crispin was the primary architect of a multi-funder collaboration that sought to prepare California’s safety net for alternative payment methodologies. Crispin holds bachelor’s degrees from the University of California, Davis, and a master’s in public policy (focus: public health) from the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley.
	Beth Abel Director of Administration Beth manages the organization's financial and administrative functions, including human resources, and develops and maintains effective and current administrative systems and organization policies and procedures. She maintains Board of Directors practices and logistics and plays a critical role on the senior leadership team in organizational decision-making and operations. Prior to joining ITUP, Beth was an administrative professional with a history of working in different office environments, and she has over a decade of experience in administration, finance, human resources, and business operations. Beth received a bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Kent State University.
	Emili Cossio Director of Programs Emili plays a lead role in developing and maintaining key partnerships with statewide and local partners, funders, health care leaders, state and local agency staff, stakeholders and the media. She is also responsible for providing strategic support and guidance on all events and development opportunities. Before joining the ITUP team, Emili spent nearly three years as Senior Program Coordinator at the California Primary Care Association providing support to California's community health centers. Emili has her bachelor's degree in Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
	Marissa Montano, PhD Director of Policy Marissa works as the lead contributor to and coordinator of ITUP's policy research, communication, and engagement activities. She works closely with the Executive Director and staff to develop and execute strategies to carry out ITUP's policy priorities. Prior to joining the ITUP team, Marissa was a research analyst with Educational Results Partnership and served as a California Council on Science and Technology fellow in the California Assembly Health Committee. Before starting her career in health policy, Marissa received a doctorate degree in Reproductive Biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Drew University.
	Sandra Hernandez Senior Communications Coordinator Sandra develops external messaging for ITUP by leading website design, social media content creation and the production of other communications materials. She also manages grants including tracking deliverables, progress reports, and writing proposals. Before joining the ITUP team, Sandra completed a bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of California, Davis. While completing her degree, Sandra interned at Kaiser Permanente, Public Affairs and at the California State Board of Education.
	Shirley Lam, MPH Senior Policy Analyst Shirley works closely with the Director of Policy, Executive Director and policy team to execute ITUP’s strategy for accomplishing short- and long-term policy and research goals. She contributes and supports ITUP policy priority projects through policy analysis and research, coordinating with staff and external audience to advance, and improve ITUP publications and programs, and assists with ITUP convenings. Before joining the ITUP team, Shirley received her master’s degree in Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy Leadership from the University of San Francisco—Sacramento campus and her bachelor 's degree in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology from the University of Washington—Seattle campus.