Hello everyone, my name is Aleigh Meredith and I am a project coordinator with Ensemble. I’m excited to introduce Ensemble’s first spotlight interview with my colleague Julia Carlson, a recently hired analyst for Ensemble. I sat down and discussed Julia’s background, what led her to Ensemble, and what work she finds most exciting about her work since starting full-time in July following a successful internship.
Note: Responses have been edited for clarity.
Aleigh: Can you tell me a little bit about your background before Ensemble?
Julia: I Graduated in the Winter of 2021 from the University of Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in political science and health and society. While in Vermont, I interned with the Vermont Chamber of Congress in the senate doing legislative research and stakeholder engagement. Following that, I was in an Americore program where I worked as a college and career advisor to Boston public high schools. Along with working at Ensemble, I am currently a candidate for a master’s in public health at Boston University.
Aleigh: What led you to Ensemble?
Julia: I started working part-time in February 2021 after one of my classmates from the University of Vermont (Aleigh) had let me know about the type of work Ensemble does and the potential need to do public health work. Before starting full time I mostly supported public health projects that excited me and made me want to pursue a full-time position with Ensemble. I came on full-time in August 2022 as an analyst and now my responsibilities are split between public health work, business development, and marketing.
Aleigh: What’s exciting to you about the public health work Ensemble does?
Julia: I think the public health work we do is cool and exciting because it gives public health workers the opportunity to ideate solutions to public health and healthcare problems by giving them a platform. Challenges like Health Resources Services Administration’s (HRSA) Building Bridges to Better Health Challenge (BBHC) which is bridging access to care, National Institute on Drug Abuse’s (NIDA) Cause of Death Elucidated (CODE) Challenge which was aimed at finding novel solutions to improve toxicology screenings. It’s cool to be the starting point and driving force behind innovative ideas.
Aleigh: What is something you learned while working here that you weren’t expecting to learn?
Julia: I have really enjoyed working with a team where everyone is so passionate and eager to help me learn new things and challenge me in my work. Being trusted on a lot of projects and also supported by the Ensemble team along the way has been great.
Aleigh: What Upcoming Projects are you excited about
Julia: Phase 2 of HRSA’s Building Bridges Challenge, and also the launch of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Respirator Fit Challenge, we are still in the challenge design phase but I’m excited to see what innovative solutions it will result in.
Aleigh: What do you like to do in your free time?
Julia: I like to ski and hike and I also play volleyball and tennis. I really enjoy volleyball, I played club volleyball in college and now play in a league in Boston.
Aleigh: What is your favorite tv show?
Julia: Shameless.
Aleigh: Any other niche interests or fun facts?
Julia: I really like listening to music. I like Noah Kahn, Mt. Joy, and chance the rapper.
