Raya (she/her) brings a background in public health, communications, and high-level administrative coordination to her work at Penchina Partners. As Executive Assistant, Raya supports the firm’s leadership through expert calendar management, project tracking, and organizational systems that keep fast-moving priorities on course. She brings a keen attention to detail, a calm, solutions-oriented approach, and a deep commitment to equity-driven work.

Before joining Penchina Partners, Raya worked at the intersection of health equity and federal public health communications. At Palladian Partners, she supported communications contracts for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institute on Aging. There, she coordinated timelines, reviewed deliverables, and helped translate complex public health priorities into clear, actionable communications for diverse audiences.

Raya has also contributed to research on structural inequities in health and policing, with experience analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, preparing evidence for litigation, and co-authoring publications focused on racial justice, gender disparities, and food access. She previously served as an Administrative Coordinator at American University and has long been the go-to person in her professional and personal networks for logistical problem-solving, digital tools, and strategic organization.

Raya holds a master’s degree in Health Promotion Management and a bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a minor in International Studies from American University. She lives in Washington, DC.