DHA Team David Heil,President of David Heil & Associates, Inc., is well known throughout the country as an innovative science educator, new enterprise developer, lecturer, author and host of the Emmy Award-winning PBS science series, Newton’s Apple. He was the lead author on the award-winning program Discover The Wonder, which for five years running was the #1 selling elementary science curriculum in America. He is also the editor of the popular book Family Science, is working on a new publication titled Family Engineering, and is frequently invited to speak at conferences and public events on science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and the rewards of experiential learning. Prior to establishing DHA, David was affiliated with the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI) for 13 years, serving as associate director from 1988-1996. While at OMSI, David initiated and administered many of the museum’s nationally recognized education and outreach programs, and also developed hands-on exhibits for national tour. David has also taught science and enrichment programs in grades 7-12, conducted research in plant biochemistry and radiochemistry, and worked for five years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A native Oregonian, he is active in numerous scientific and educational organizations nationwide, is the past Director of Informal Science Education for the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), served on the Board of Directors of the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS), the Keystone Center, and currently serves as the Senior Science Advisor for the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and on the Board of Directors for the Aspen Science Center. In 2009 David received NSTA’s award for Distinguished Service to Science Education.
Susan Burger Ed.D., Associate, leads DHA’s Research & Evaluation division which conducts both internal and external evaluations as well as a variety of research studies at DHA. Using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, she plans and administers front-end, formative and summative evaluations, as well as educational and market research studies for a range of non-profit, corporate, and government agency clients, including the National Science Teachers Association; ExxonMobil; and NSF, NIH, and NOAA funded projects across the U.S. Prior to joining DHA, Susan was an evaluation consultant and owner of InSight Consulting which specialized in client based evaluations and evaluation capacity building for educational entities across the Western U.S. and the Pacific. She also worked in the evaluation division at Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) in Honolulu, HI; taught research and evaluation methods at the University of Northern Colorado, where she was recognized as an Outstanding Professor, and other institutions of higher education; and established and directed an innovative day care center at a research medical center in Texas. Susan earned a BA in Psychology from Allegheny College in Meadville PA; a MS in Human Development from West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV; and an Ed.D. in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in research methods from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.
Mia Jackson, Associate, specializes in program and exhibit development, project management, and evaluation with an emphasis on public outreach. At DHA, Mia has also focused on the development of young learner resources such as curriculum kits and exhibit areas, for clients including Bristol Myers Squibb and the Anchorage Museum. Prior to joining DHA, Mia worked for a range of non-profit organizations including the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Partners In Public Education, the Alaska Bar Association, and the Alaska Dance Theatre where she taught ballet. Most recently she served as Director of Programs and Exhibits at the Imaginarium, in Anchorage, Alaska, where she spearheaded significant growth and expansion of their offerings, including the launch of their nationally recognized statewide outreach efforts in science and public health. Trained in Elementary Education, Mia has been active in a variety of local, state and national educational initiatives, including serving as Affiliate Director of the Alaska Space Grant program, Chair of the National Educational Outreach Network (NEON), and an active member of the Informal Science Committee of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).
Sally Greer, Associate, has extensive experience in K-8 education and specializes in program development, management and delivery. Her special interests include health and fitness, meteorology, marine science and outdoor recreation and education. Prior to joining DHA she held a range of public K-8 education positions from classroom teacher, to curriculum coordinator, to Science Department Chair, as well as serving as a rafting guide in Colorado and Washington State. Sally has managed and facilitated numerous school-wide science fairs, extended outdoor education experiences, hosted Family Science and Family Math events, supervised student research and submissions as well as staffed local, regional, and national competitions. She has also presented professional development workshops and graduate-level methods courses for elementary teachers, and has served on multiple advisory panels for curriculum projects funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Shannon Weiss, Project Coordinator, specializes in the design and implementation of evaluation and market research projects related to DHA's core areas of emphasis in science, engineering, health, and environmental education; and institutional strategic and business planning. Her work serves a range of academic institutions, government agencies, corporations and non-profit enterprises including projects funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Prior to joining DHA, Shannon designed and conducted evaluations for Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, and the Pacific Science Center. Shannon received a BA in Art History from the University of Evansville in Evansville, IN; an MA in Museum Studies from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA; and was a member of the initial cohort of the University of Washington's IMLS funded New Directions in Audience Research Program.
Gayle Amorose, Business Manager, oversees the DHA office, coordinating project workflow, product design, event planning, human resources, accounting, business development and marketing. Prior to re-joining DHA, where she held the position of Project Coordinator a decade ago, Gayle managed two of her own successful businesses: interior redesign and staging, and private dog training. She also has experience working in both the nonprofit and corporate sectors in office administration, communications and marketing, writing and desktop publishing, and special event production. Gayle holds a BA degree in Broadcast Communication Arts from San Francisco State University.
Eric Wallinger, Project & Operations Coordinator, provides operational support and coordination for all of DHA’s core business arenas and client services. With a background in event production, communications, data management and publishing, he facilitates procurement and logistics for DHA as well as the firm’s affiliated nonprofits. He is certified as a LEED Accredited Professional for Operations & Maintenance by the United States Green Building Council and supervises the DHA office facilities. Prior to joining DHA, Eric served as Operations Coordinator at the Center for Ecoliteracy in Berkeley, CA. Eric holds a BA in English, and a certificate in Environmental Studies from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA.
Aidan Ross, Project Assistant, supports a range of DHA projects with an emphasis on research, evaluation, and technology support. With a background in data management, information technology, and customer service, Aidan assists DHA teams with research instrument design, data collection and processing, analysis, and presentation. Prior to joining DHA, Aidan worked for Accenture, Executive Leadership Group, and the YMCA of Washington D.C.
Sasha Burchuk, Project Assistant, supports the President with research, planning, facilitation, and reporting on a range of projects associated with DHA’s core business arenas of science, engineering, health, and environmental education as well as institutional strategic planning and new enterprise development. Prior to joining DHA, Sasha served as a Legislative Assistant for one of the Co-Speakers of the House in the Oregon Legislature and as a freelance writer/editor, including work in Mexico and Venezuela. Sasha earned a BS in Social Science with a focus on Environmental Studies at Portland State University. She also holds a paralegal certificate and studied abroad at the Universidad Latina de America.
David Heil,
Susan Burger Ed.D., Associate, leads DHA’s Research & Evaluation division which conducts both internal and external evaluations as well as a variety of research studies at DHA. Using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, she plans and administers front-end, formative and summative evaluations, as well as educational and market research studies for a range of non-profit, corporate, and government agency clients, including the National Science Teachers Association; ExxonMobil; and NSF, NIH, and NOAA funded projects across the U.S. Prior to joining DHA, Susan was an evaluation consultant and owner of InSight Consulting which specialized in client based evaluations and evaluation capacity building for educational entities across the Western U.S. and the Pacific. She also worked in the evaluation division at Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) in Honolulu, HI; taught research and evaluation methods at the University of Northern Colorado, where she was recognized as an Outstanding Professor, and other institutions of higher education; and established and directed an innovative day care center at a research medical center in Texas. Susan earned a BA in Psychology from Allegheny College in Meadville PA; a MS in Human Development from West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV; and an Ed.D. in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in research methods from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.
Mia Jackson, Associate, specializes in program and exhibit development, project management, and evaluation with an emphasis on public outreach. At DHA, Mia has also focused on the development of young learner resources such as curriculum kits and exhibit areas, for clients including Bristol Myers Squibb and the Anchorage Museum. Prior to joining DHA, Mia worked for a range of non-profit organizations including the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Partners In Public Education, the Alaska Bar Association, and the Alaska Dance Theatre where she taught ballet. Most recently she served as Director of Programs and Exhibits at the Imaginarium, in Anchorage, Alaska, where she spearheaded significant growth and expansion of their offerings, including the launch of their nationally recognized statewide outreach efforts in science and public health. Trained in Elementary Education, Mia has been active in a variety of local, state and national educational initiatives, including serving as Affiliate Director of the Alaska Space Grant program, Chair of the National Educational Outreach Network (NEON), and an active member of the Informal Science Committee of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).
Sally Greer, Associate, has extensive experience in K-8 education and specializes in program development, management and delivery. Her special interests include health and fitness, meteorology, marine science and outdoor recreation and education. Prior to joining DHA she held a range of public K-8 education positions from classroom teacher, to curriculum coordinator, to Science Department Chair, as well as serving as a rafting guide in Colorado and Washington State. Sally has managed and facilitated numerous school-wide science fairs, extended outdoor education experiences, hosted Family Science and Family Math events, supervised student research and submissions as well as staffed local, regional, and national competitions. She has also presented professional development workshops and graduate-level methods courses for elementary teachers, and has served on multiple advisory panels for curriculum projects funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Shannon Weiss
Gayle Amorose, Business Manager, oversees the DHA office, coordinating project workflow, product design, event planning, human resources, accounting, business development and marketing. Prior to re-joining DHA, where she held the position of Project Coordinator a decade ago, Gayle managed two of her own successful businesses: interior redesign and staging, and private dog training. She also has experience working in both the nonprofit and corporate sectors in office administration, communications and marketing, writing and desktop publishing, and special event production. Gayle holds a BA degree in Broadcast Communication Arts from San Francisco State University.
Eric Wallinger, Project & Operations Coordinator, provides operational support and coordination for all of DHA’s core business arenas and client services. With a background in event production, communications, data management and publishing, he facilitates procurement and logistics for DHA as well as the firm’s affiliated nonprofits. He is certified as a LEED Accredited Professional for Operations & Maintenance by the United States Green Building Council and supervises the DHA office facilities. Prior to joining DHA, Eric served as Operations Coordinator at the Center for Ecoliteracy in Berkeley, CA. Eric holds a BA in English, and a certificate in Environmental Studies from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA.
Aidan Ross, Project Assistant, supports a range of DHA projects with an emphasis on research, evaluation, and technology support. With a background in data management, information technology, and customer service, Aidan assists DHA teams with research instrument design, data collection and processing, analysis, and presentation. Prior to joining DHA, Aidan worked for Accenture, Executive Leadership Group, and the YMCA of Washington D.C.
Sasha Burchuk, Project Assistant, supports the President with research, planning, facilitation, and reporting on a range of projects associated with DHA’s core business arenas of science, engineering, health, and environmental education as well as institutional strategic planning and new enterprise development. Prior to joining DHA, Sasha served as a Legislative Assistant for one of the Co-Speakers of the House in the Oregon Legislature and as a freelance writer/editor, including work in Mexico and Venezuela. Sasha earned a BS in Social Science with a focus on Environmental Studies at Portland State University. She also holds a paralegal certificate and studied abroad at the Universidad Latina de America.