Board of Directors
JUDE HIGDON, CHAIR
Jude Higdon. Ed.D. currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer for the QSIDE Institute. As the co-founder of the QSIDE Institute, Jude has helped to develop programs to promote and further the use of cutting edge quantitative methods to understand and address historical oppression and marginalization. Previously, Jude worked at the convergence of technology and education at other institutions of higher learning including Minnesota State Mankato, the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and College of Liberal Arts, Northwestern University, the City Colleges of Chicago, Brandeis University, Harvard University, Duke University, and the University of Southern California. He has also developed online learning environments for several major not-for-profit organizations including the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the American Red Cross, the National Wildlife Federation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Jude holds an Ed.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Southern California, an Ed.M. in Technology in Education from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, and a B.S. in Political Science from Northwestern University.
Karen Walker, Member-at-large
She/her/hers
Karen Walker is the Director of Persevere’s‘ National Institute for Unlocked Potential (UP), funded through the Walmart Foundation-Center for Racial Equity. The Institute focuses on elevating racially equitable 1st chance workforce development models that lead to career pathways and deflect Opportunity Youth from justice involvement through education, data + research, collective action, and narrative influence (shift). Karen has varied experience in the Humans Services and Child Welfare arenas (state and local government and nonprofit) for nearly 28 years, working with disconnected youth and young adults, individuals, and families of low income. She is well-versed in the Two-Generation (2Gen)/whole-family approach and what is required to drive practice and systems change through a 2Gen lens. She has a deep passion for advancing practices and programs with a human-centered design that will improve children’s and families’ lives and add value to our communities for future generations.
Salley Koo, Member-at-large
She/her/hers
Salley Koo is a violinist of great range and energy who has performed internationally as a solo, chamber, and orchestral musician. Her appearances include the Musikverein in Vienna, Carnegie Hall, and the Kimmel Center, and she is a frequent guest artist with ensembles such as the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Orchestra of St. Luke’s. She is Assistant Professor of Violin at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Music, having previously served on the faculties of Adelphi University, Montclair State University, and the University of Connecticut. A longtime champion of underrepresented voices in classical music, Dr. Koo is the founder of the Dari Project, which builds bridges between contemporary Korean music and the classical Western canon by pairing commissioned works from Korean composers with pedagogical companion pieces. She holds an AB from Harvard University, an MM from the Yale School of Music, and a DMA in violin performance from Stony Brook University.
Alisa Malone, Emeritus
She/her/hers
Throughout her life, Alisa Malone shined a light on inequities across our healthcare, labor, workforce, social service, and carceral systems. She dedicated decades to advancing meaningful change for those most impacted by these systems, advocating tirelessly for people facing the greatest barriers and injustices. Alisa’s fierce compassion, unwavering advocacy, and deep commitment to justice leave an enduring legacy. We are profoundly grateful that she served on our Board, where she exemplified the values and vision that QSIDE strives to advance. While we will miss Alisa deeply, we find comfort in knowing that her work, her leadership, and her kindness have touched countless lives. Her legacy will continue to inspire our mission, and we are better for having had the privilege of serving alongside her.
Staff
Chad Topaz, CEO AND CHIEF RESEARCH OFFICER
he/him/his
Chad Topaz is a fierce advocate who uses data science to promote social justice. He has delivered over 200 lectures worldwide, engaging diverse audiences and demonstrating the transformative power of data to reshape society. His influential work has attracted international attention, appearing in notable publications such as The Atlantic (US), Cosmos (Australia), The Guardian (UK), Sanatatak (Turkey), La Sexta (Spain), and Scientific American (Arabic version), to name a few. Educated at Harvard and Northwestern, Chad is Professor of Complex Systems at Williams College and co-founder of the QSIDE Institute. Chad has received numerous honors, including the Kavli Frontiers Fellowship from the National Academy of Sciences, UCLA’s Robert Sorgenfrey Distinguished Teaching Award, and the Rossmann Excellence in Teaching Award from Macalester College. Chad’s career began in the abstract realms of physics, chemistry, and biology, where he explored how mathematics reveals the secrets of the universe. Today, his focus is humanity itself—unraveling the complexities of diversity in pop culture, educational equity, environmental fairness, and criminal justice. His efforts illuminate the practical applications of data science and inspire actionable change across these critical areas.
ZOFIA STANLEY, DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH
SHE/HER/HErs
Zofia Stanley is an applied mathematician and data scientist. She received her BS in mathematics from Brown University and her PhD in applied mathematics from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She did her postdoctoral research at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Physical Sciences Laboratory. Zofia’s research on seawater density has been incorporated into operational climate models. She also co-founded a course on Race and Gender in the Scientific Community, which is now a permanent course offering at Brown University.
JUDE HIGDON, CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
ANY PRONOUNS
Jude Higdon. Ed.D. currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer for the QSIDE Institute. As the co-founder of the QSIDE Institute, Jude has helped to develop programs to promote and further the use of cutting edge quantitative methods to understand and address historical oppression and marginalization. Previously, Jude worked at the convergence of technology and education at other institutions of higher learning including Minnesota State Mankato, the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and College of Liberal Arts, Northwestern University, the City Colleges of Chicago, Brandeis University, Harvard University, Duke University, and the University of Southern California. He has also developed online learning environments for several major not-for-profit organizations including the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the American Red Cross, the National Wildlife Federation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Jude holds an Ed.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Southern California, an Ed.M. in Technology in Education from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, and a B.S. in Political Science from Northwestern University.
TYRONE BASS, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
HE/HiM/HIS
Tyrone Bass graduated from Bennington College in 2022 with a BA in Human Geography and Sound Studies. His undergraduate thesis focused on the detrimental effects of discriminatory listening practices on communities of color, and offered possible ways to reimagine sound, community, and public space in order to mitigate harm and, ultimately, foster inclusivity. With the QSIDE Institute he has continued advancing an equity-minded research agenda, and co-authored a data science + social justice curriculum for college and p-12 students. He currently serves as Director of Operations for the QSIDE Institute.
CHRIS ADAMS, ACCOUNTING AND COMPLIANCE MANAGER
He/HIM/HIS
Chris Adams is a seasoned IT and compliance professional with experience in a variety of professional contexts, including manufacturing, higher-education, and non-profit administration. In addition to serving as the CIO and Director of Compliance at the QSIDE Institute, Chris currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Bennington College. Leveraging a broad and deep understanding of IT systems and regulatory frameworks, Chris is proud to bring his more than 20 years of professional experience to support QSIDE’s social justice mission.