Becca Heilman is a Research Analyst at MEF Associates. Her research focuses on a range of policies and programs that aim to expand access to opportunity and contribute to more healthy, equitable, and resilient communities. She is particularly interested in community-engaged participatory research methods that center the voices of community members and program participants.
At MEF, Becca works on projects related to housing, economic mobility, fatherhood and healthy relationships, employment, child support, and early childhood education. She has experience conducting interviews and focus groups, designing data collection instruments, and analyzing data and has supported large-scale randomized control trials, descriptive studies, rapid-cycle evaluations, and technical assistance efforts.
Becca graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with Highest Distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Public Policy and Political Science and a minor in Social and Economic Justice. Prior to joining MEF, Becca researched affordable housing, community development, and economic development policy and planning issues at the National League of Cities and UNC’s Center for Urban and Regional Studies. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, watching movies, exploring museums, and spending time outdoors.