Sean Thornton Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il

Since joining the AHA, I've led the Hospital Community Collaborative (HCC), a national program designed to strengthen strategic partnerships between hospitals and community organizations, including but not limited to local governments, nonprofits, CBOs, businesses, and educational partners. I've also managed and supported research programs and conferences that connect cities and communities with health care systems to provide innovative practices that improve population health outcomes, such as the CDC-funded Partnership for Public Health and AHA's annual Accelerating Health Equity conference, respectively.Furthermore, I've launched and currently lead Front & Center, AHA's premier virtual forum for internal communications presentations and discussions.

Chicago, Il

In this role, I served as the lead Advisor for the Civic Analytics Network (CAN), an association of government innovators at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation. This included mentoring CAN's team of research fellows working with municipal offices in major cities across the country (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh).Other responsibilities included:• Partnering with the City of Chicago as Harvard’s Chicago-based affiliate to conduct research and support efforts related to innovation in technology policy and civic engagement. Specifically, I worked directly with the City's Chief Information Officer (CIO) to manage communications efforts related to privately-awarded grants and evecutive-level conferences, speeches and public events. • I also continued my role as a writer and researcher for the Harvard Ash Center's Data-Smart City Solutions, having published more than 50 articles about urban and civic innovation during my tenure. These articles were widely read, getting picked up by trade publications such as Government Technology, and leading to coverage from national outlets such as National Geographic, The Atlantic, and PBS News Hour. • I also served as a workshop facilitator for urban innovation strategy sessions that the Ash Center hosted in Cambridge, MA and Los Angeles, CA.

Chicago, Il

I was a researcher and communications operative for Harvard University's Ash Center of Democratic Governance and Innovation, working in partnership with the Office of the Commissioner of the City of Chicago's Department of Innovations and Technology. As part of an effort called the Mayoral Performance Analytics Initiative, I also wrote about government innovation for the Ash Center's Data-Smart City Solutions.

Chicago, Il

As an independent research consultant, I conducted internal research investigations and interviewed key players to write white papers for major Chicago nonprofit and philanthropic institutions: • Authored comprehensive report analyzing the efficacy of LISC Chicago's "Testing the Model" Initiative • Authored integral report for the Pritzker Traubert Foundation to help guide creation of the Chicago Parks Foundation, a 501c3 partnership firm for the Chicago Park District

Chicago, Il

In this role, I evaluated financial and programmatic data for grant proposals in healthcare, education, urban development, and the arts. I also conducted site visits with grantees to review proposals and ensure compliance.

Chicago, Il

As a Fellow in the Mayor's Office, I worked with top city officials in a "think tank" capacity, where I researched & composed reports on leading practices to related to pressing issues projects in multiple city departments, including public health, workforce development, and cultural affairs and special events. As part of a capstone for the fellowship, I also developed and presented a revenue-generating policy initiative to Mayor's cabinet, focused on using select transit passes as vouchers for local institutions.

Chicago, Il

I managed a robust client caseload to provide housing & rehabilitative services to homeless & near-homeless individuals and families.

M.P.P., Public Policy

Activities and Societies: Chair, Community Economic Development Association

A.M., Social Service Administration

Bachelor Of Arts, Psychology, Political Science

Activities and Societies: University Honors Program, Psi Chi Honors Society, Honors Student Government Member, ESL Tutor, DePaulia.

Education record