Innovators,
Researchers and Doers

Mary Beth Donahue was named President and CEO of Better Medicare Alliance in 2021, bringing nearly three decades of management, health care policy, and patient advocacy to the role. Mary Beth began her career working in state government in her native Massachusetts and ascended to a role as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Donna E. Shalala during the Clinton administration. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of Kidney Care Partners, a coalition of patient advocates, dialysis professionals, care providers, researchers, and manufacturers dedicated to improving quality of care for individuals living with kidney disease. A leader in patient advocacy and health equity, Mary Beth additionally serves on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering children to develop lifelong healthy habits. She served as an Advisory Council Member to the Cancer Support Community. Mary Beth is also the past Executive Vice President of Advocacy and Operations of AHIP, the trade association representing companies providing health insurance coverage in the United States. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston College and a master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy where she served on the Alumni Board of Directors Mary Beth lives in Maryland with her two daughters.

Robin Goracke brings two decades of health care policy experience in both the public and private sectors to her role at BMA as Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer. Robin previously served as a legislative analyst at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Office of Secretary, in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Legislation under both Secretary Sebelius and Secretary Burwell. Among her many responsibilities, Robin’s main policy areas of focus was on Medicare Parts B, C and D regulations. Robin also spent sixteen years in the U.S. House of Representatives, reaching the position of Legislative Director for U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN). Most recently she held the position of Director of Healthcare Policy at the National Restaurant Association, headquartered in Washington, D.C. Robin is originally from Minnesota and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Email Robin at RGoracke@bettermedicarealliance.org.

Greg Gierer, MPP, joined Better Medicare Alliance as Vice President of Policy and Research in September 2021, bringing nearly 25 years of public policy and advocacy expertise to the role. His post at Better Medicare Alliance follows leadership roles with some of the nation’s leading health care associations, including Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Greg most recently served as Senior Vice President for Policy at America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). He began his career on Capitol Hill as an aide to U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT). Greg is a graduate of Providence College and holds a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. He also serves on the Cancer Support Community’s Cancer Policy Institute Advisory Board. A Connecticut native, Greg resides in Leesburg, Virginia with his wife, and three children.

Jonathan Frank serves as Vice President of Communications at Better Medicare Alliance (BMA), a role he stepped into after first coming to BMA in 2019 as Director of Communications. As the past Communications Director for Horizon Government Affairs and the BMA-allied Council for Affordable Health Coverage, Jonathan brings a depth of health policy communications experience to the BMA team. Previously, Jonathan served in a variety of roles for Congresswoman Diane Black (R-TN), Chairwoman of the House Budget Committee and a member of the Ways and Means Committee, including stints as Press Secretary, Campaign Manager, and Communications Director, culminating in a dual role with the House Budget Committee. Jonathan’s writings on behalf of past principals and clients have appeared in Time, Forbes, Health Affairs, Modern Healthcare, Medical Economics, The Hill, STAT, Fox News, Washington Examiner, Morning Consult, and others. Jonathan is a native of Nashville, Tennessee and a graduate of Tennessee Technological University, where he serves on the Alumni Board of Directors. Email him at JFrank@bettermedicarealliance.org.

Kristen Voyvodich is the Administrative Manager at Better Medicare Alliance. Before working at Better Medicare Alliance, Kristen worked at AIPAC in the Marketing, Creative and Events department, where she was part of the Event Operations team, working on large-scale national and regional events. She holds two Masters degrees, one in Drama and Movement Therapy from the University of London and one in Shakespeare Studies from the Shakespeare Institute at the University of Birmingham. Kristen has a BA from Mount Holyoke College. Email Kristen at KVoyvodich@bettermedicarealliance.org.

Kaitlyn Saal-Ridpath joined Better Medicare Alliance as Policy Associate in early 2021. Prior to joining the Better Medicare Alliance team, Kaitlyn worked across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, with a mission to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals across the country. She brings with her a range of public health, health law, and policy experience, focusing primarily on social determinants of health. Kaitlyn holds a JD and MPH in Health Policy & Management from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and Graduate School of Public Health, as well as a bachelor's degree in Public Health from Elon University. Email Kaitlyn at KSaalRidpath@bettermedicarealliance.org.

Lorenzo Rodriguez joined Better Medicare Alliance as Government Affairs Assistant after a nearly six-month-long internship, during which time he provided valuable aid to the team’s government affairs and Ally engagement efforts – conducting legislative research, staffing Congressional meetings, and helping to organize Hill briefings and advocacy events. A graduate of Florida International University, Lorenzo held previous roles as a legislative intern for Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) and an intern for the World War One Centennial Commission. He is a candidate for his Master of Political Science from American University. Email Lorenzo at LRodriguez@bettermedicarealliance.org.

Savanna Maloney is the Digital Media Associate at Better Medicare Alliance. Prior to joining the team, Savanna worked as the Project Manager at Men’s Health Network, where she assisted in raising awareness and advocating for men’s health as well as supporting the strategic growth and direction of the organization. Her start in health care began in her role as Community Liaison at Via Health, with a mission to improve patient outcomes through educating patients and helping them find community resources. Savanna graduated from The University of Florida where she obtained her bachelor's degree in Sport Management and a certificate in Digital Marketing. Email Savanna at SMaloney@bettermedicarealliance.org.