Julia Zell is an attorney experienced in public health and regulatory law, specifically concerning universal vaccine purchase programs. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Washington Vaccine Association program. She has managed a government affairs team that successfully guided a statutory fix through Congress for military healthcare dependents (TRICARE), and continues to work on ameliorative, legislative projects for state departments of health.
Julia received her B.A. from Furman University in political science, her M.A. in Government from the Robertson School of Government, where she earned the “Most Outstanding Scholarship Award”, and her J.D. from Regent University, graduating magna cum laude. Following law school, she served as a law clerk in the Federal District Court in the Eastern District of Virginia. She now resides in Boise, Idaho with her husband.
Helms & Company, Inc.The following individuals are part of the Helms & Company, Inc. staff supporting the WVA operations:
Patrick Miller, MPH, Administrative DirectorPatrick serves as the Administrative Director of the Washington Vaccine Association and is a Principal with Helms & Company, Inc. He is an experienced consultant and trusted advisor whose nearly 30-year career has been primarily in healthcare and human services. His skillset lies at the intersection of public policy, operations, technology, and strategy. During his career, Patrick has worked across the private, nonprofit, education, and government sectors. In addition to his consulting clients, Patrick currently serves as Executive Director of the NH Vaccine Association and Manager of the VNA Health System of Northern New England. Patrick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Management and Policy and a Master degree in Public Health, both from the University of New Hampshire.
Lisa M. White, JD, Customer and Financial Support SpecialistLisa M. White is the Customer and Financial Support Specialist for the Washington Vaccine Association and is employed by Helms & Company, Inc. Lisa has worked in numerous sectors including healthcare, legal, and education. She has direct experience in customer service, insurance processing, and health information management work, including organizations such as athenahealth, Concord Orthopedics, and Franklin Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice.
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies with an English minor+ from Rivier College in Nashua, NH, an English Teaching Graduate Certificate from Plymouth State College, Plymouth, NH, an AHCC credentialed Certificate of Achievement as a Homecare Coding Associate, a Master of Science degree in Special Education from Southern Maine University, Gorham, M.E and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree in Law from Franklin Pierce Law Center (now UNH Law), Concord, NH.
Ashley Ithal, MPH, Project Support LeaderAshley is a Project Support Leader for the Washington Vaccine Association and is employed by Helms & Company, Inc. Prior to this she spent over ten years as a Project Director at the University of New Hampshire working for the Institute for Health Policy and Practice and within Academic Technology. Ashley has experience managing large-scale projects in the nonprofit, education, and government sectors, conducting research related to health care transparency, performing claims-based data analytics and informatics, and conducting stakeholder engagement and strategic planning activities.
Ashley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and a Master degree in Public Health, both from the University of New Hampshire.
Leslie Walker, CPA, Chief Financial OfficerLeslie Walker, CPA, is a Director with Mason+Rich, PA who works with Helms & Company, Inc. as the Chief Financial Officer for the Washington Vaccine Association. Leslie chairs her firm's Finance Committee that oversees accounting protocols. Leslie also manages financials for a number of her firms larger clients and is an expert with Federal Grant A-133 Audits.
Holding a Bachelors Degree from New Hampshire College, Leslie is a member of the New Hampshire Society and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.