Bridget Kelly is the Director of Research at the Population Institute, where she manages the production of reports, policy briefs, and other research activities related to both domestic and international reproductive health and rights. She is a frequent opinion contributor to major publications such as The Hill, Newsweek, and Thomson Reuters News. Ms. Kelly was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia and received her MPH from George Washington University, an MA in International Law and Human Rights from the United Nations Mandated University for Peace, and her BA in Communications and Anthropology from Saint Mary’s College at Notre Dame.
 
Rachel Marchand is the Digital Media Associate for the Population Institute, where she manages and develops social media content related to the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls around the world. She is a co-producer of Population Institute’s reproductive health and rights podcast, RePROs Fight Back. Ms. Marchand previously worked at the United States Senate, and received her BA in International Relations at the University of New Mexico. She is a current Master’s in Public Health candidate. 
 
Vina Smith-Ramakrishnan is the Research Associate Werner Fornos Fellow for the Population Institute, where she supports the Director of Research in the production of reports, policy briefs, and other research related to domestic and international reproductive health and rights. Ms. Smith-Ramakrishnan recently graduated with her MPH in Global Health Policy from George Washington University, during which time she developed her passion for sexual and reproductive health and rights through an internship with Planned Parenthood. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., she received her BA in Anthropology from St. Lawrence University.
 

Robert Walker is the President of the Population Institute, where he directs the organization’s advocacy and public education activities, including its work on issues related to health, economic development, sustainability and the environment.

A progressive leader and a globally recognized expert on population trends and their implications, Walker has made numerous appearances on nationally televised news programs, including ABC, CBS, PBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News, both morning and evening shows. Major opinion leaders, including such notables as Thomas Friedman and Nicholas Kristof, regularly consult with him on issues relating to population and family planning. He also is a frequent guest on radio shows, including NPR and its state affiliates. Walker often speaks before major foreign policy associations, leading universities and colleges, and UN conferences. A frequent contributor to the Huffington Post, Walker has blogged for more than a dozen popular blogsites, and has written for, or been quoted in dozens of major newspapers, magazines, journals, and books, including Thomas Friedman latest best-seller, Thank You for Being Late: An Optimists Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations. He has been interviewed recently by more than a dozen major news outlets, including the New York Times, CNN, CNN International, NBC, NPR, Newsweek, The Guardian, USA Today, Cosmopolitan, Vice, and Voice of America. 

Walker is a graduate of Rockford College and the University of Illinois School of Law. After law school, he began his career as a top aide to two Congressional leaders Rep. John B. Anderson and Rep. Morris K. Udall, and also served as the chief domestic policy advisor for John Andersons 1980 independent presidential bid and as executive director of Independents for Mondale/Ferraro in 1984. Afterwards, Walker put his Congressional and campaign experience to work for progressive causes, first joining AARP as legislative counsel, and then working as legislative director, and subsequently as president, of Jim and Sarah Bradys organization, where he helped pave the way for passage of the Brady Law. During the epic Congressional fight over legislation banning unlimited soft money contributions, Walker served as executive director of the Common Cause Education Fund. After that successful legislative battle, he became a strategic consultant, advising numerous organizations and progressive coalitions. He recently celebrated his 10th year with the Population Institute.

Jennie Wetter is the Director of Public Policy at the Population Institute, where she fights every day for reproductive health and rights.  Jennie is also the host of our podcast, rePROs Fight Back, which is a deep-dive into reproductive health, rights, and justice issues like abortion, birth control, sex education, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. New episodes debut every other Tuesday, and give you an insider’s perspective on what is happening and what you can do to fight back. Originally from Wisconsin, she has lived in Washington D.C for the last 15 years. She received her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her M.A. from the American University’s School for International Service.