BDT is pleased to welcome ML Wernecke as its new Director of Policy and Communications. In her new role, ML will lead BDT’s work to streamline benefits access through policy and system change.
ML brings over 20 years of experience in advocacy, research, and communications in both state and local government and nonprofit settings. Most recently, she worked for Public Citizens for Children and Youth, where she was responsible for advancing the research, policy, and development agendas. Additionally, ML held senior policy positions in the Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of Policy and Planning and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (now Department of Human Services). After leaving Pennsylvania state government, ML served as Chief of Staff at the Maryland Department of Human Resources (now Department of Human Services) where she concentrated on child welfare, child support, and economic security issues. ML has also held leadership roles at the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians and the Cartographic Modeling Lab at the University of Pennsylvania.
“We are excited for ML to lead BDT’s policy and communications teams,” said Ginger Zielinskie, President & CEO. “Having worked with ML in Pennsylvania and Maryland, I know first-hand that she is a champion for smarter, more efficient health and human services. It’s an honor to have ML join our team.”
ML earned her BA from the University of Pennsylvania and holds a master’s degree of Public Affairs and Urban and Regional Planning from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. She began working for BDT on September 4, 2018.