Chapin Hall

Chapin Hall Welcomes New Directors of Research Operations, Policy Operations

Responding to significant growth, Chapin Hall has named two new senior leaders to manage its expanding portfolio. The organization is pleased to announce Dr. Anika Bissahoyo as Director of Research Operations and Dr. Krista Thomas as Director of Policy Operations. Chapin Hall now has more than 150 employees and projects in nearly every state, necessitating more attention to daily operational issues along with a purposefully designed management framework. 

These director positions will have parallel responsibilities including supervising and collaborating with senior fellows to lead the research and policy portfolios. Together, they will work to create culture, supports, and processes that ensure effective integration of the skills and talents of research and policy staff to meet client goals and policy impact.  

Dr. Bissahoyo comes to Chapin Hall from Bowie State University in Maryland, the oldest historically Black College/University in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country, where she worked for nearly 12 years. Her most recent position there was assistant vice president for research in which she oversaw the research and sponsored programs office, that supports faculty and staff in pursuing and securing external funding for scholarly and creative activities. In her professional career, she successfully supported multiple grants and contracts from federal and state agencies, foundations, and corporations, totaling over $25 million in awards. 

She earned a BS in biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and a PhD in toxicology at UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Her extensive science background led to her strong passion for advancing scientific knowledge and discovery, especially in areas that address health disparities and the research career pipeline.  

“I am thrilled to step into this position at this exciting moment in the organization’s evolution,” said Dr. Bissahoyo. “I look forward to contributing as part of Chapin Hall’s leadership team and am most passionate about supporting our dedicated staff in carrying out excellent work that connects research to solutions that improve the lives of children, families, and communities.” 

Dr. Krista Thomas has been at Chapin Hall for nine years as a Senior Policy Fellow and is now transitioning into her new role. During her tenure at Chapin Hall, she has provided extensive leadership in growing Chapin Hall’s portfolio of policy work. Leading integrated teams of research and policy experts, Dr. Thomas advanced efforts nationally to redesign child welfare systems through the implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act, upstream prevention efforts, and resources for kinship caregivers.  

Before joining Chapin Hall, she served for over a decade in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau in both regional and national offices. As a federal child welfare specialist, Dr. Thomas monitored and supported numerous states in both federally mandated and state-driven child welfare program improvement efforts, strategic planning, and implementation of evidence-based practices. 

“I am beyond excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Chapin Hall’s first Director of Policy Operations,” said Dr. Thomas. “Our shared efforts over this past decade to deepen Chapin Hall’s national impact towards improved outcomes for children, families, and communities have been deeply gratifying. It is an honor to begin my next professional chapter as part of our fabulous leadership team.” 

Dr. Thomas earned a BA from Knox College and a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. She holds a PhD in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. 

“We are proud to strengthen our organization with the addition of these new positions and with such accomplished people,” said Chapin Hall Executive Director Bryan Samuels. “With Dr. Bissahoyo’s impressive research background and Dr. Thomas’s years of experience at Chapin Hall and working on policy in Washington D.C. and elsewhere, we’ve equipped our teams with the kind of leaders who will help usher Chapin Hall into our next exciting chapter.”