Dana Brandt, Executive Director
She / Her / Hers
Dana Brandt is the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Longitudinal Data System, overseeing quantitative and geospatial analytical services to state agencies, academic institutions, and community-based organizations. In 2019, Dana joined as a data scientist, and she has also led the RILDS governance program, coordinating with agencies to ensure data quality, security, and use for the public good. She currently serves as the Chair of the Interim Executive Council for the Eastern States Longitudinal Data Collaborative, developing permanent governance structures to improve regional coordination among education-to-workforce P20W longitudinal data systems.
Dana previously worked for the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. She holds two master's degrees, one in Public International Law from Leiden University in the Netherlands and one in Human Rights Law from Central European University in Hungary. She has a passion for learning new technical skills.
Meet Dana: As an avid runner, I'm a proponent of urban trails, and my favorite dataset is Providence's tree inventory.
Dave Grenier, Engineering Director
He / Him / His
Dave Grenier is the RILDS Engineering Director, prioritizing RILDS feature development on the RILDS. In 2015, David joined to lead our Engineering Team. He has spent much of his time building a machine learning tool to improve the accuracy and efficiency of data linkage.
David graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and has previously worked as a programmer and project manager.
Meet Dave: I am currently pursuing a Masters in Applied Mathematics to improve my data programming skills and because I find it fun. I live in Providence with my dog Rottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and cat Sir Isaac Mewton.
Rockwell Richards, Data Analyst
He / Him / His
Rockwell Richards is a Data Analyst, performing quantitative analyses and producing compelling reports on a integrated, longitudinal data pertaining to critical policy issues.
In 2022, Rockwell joined RILDS from General Dynamics Electric Boat, where he previously worked as an engineer. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, both from the University of Rhode Island.
Meet Rockwell: In the summer I enjoy spending my spare time paddleboarding through the salt ponds of South County. In the winter I spend my time wishing it was summer. Thankfully my season tickets to Rhode Island basketball help me get through it---go Rams!
Shihan Xu, Data Analyst
She / Her / Hers
Shihan Xu is a Data Analyst. She is She is passionate about applying data analysis skills and knowledge of social policies to assist RILDS' partners in their decision-making process.
In May 2023, Shihan joined RILDS from Philadelphia, PA. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Policy and Data Analytics from University of Pennsylvania. Previously, she has worked for international organizations and research institutions, such as United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and Research for Action.
Meet Shihan: I love traveling to different parts of the world, and it is always exciting to experience and appreciate different cultures. I also enjoy cooking Chinese food and Japanese food for my friends and family. I moved from Philly to Providence with my four-month-old Shichon puppy Marin.