About us
01.
Curious
Blue Persimmon Advisors are perpetually CURIOUS.
We are driven to learn and grow through research and outreach. This enables us to address challenges and opportunities with a unique perspective.
02.
Agile
We are AGILE.
Our small team moves quickly, and pivots as needed. With our extensive knowledge and network, Blue Persimmon is equipped with the tools needed to provide expert advice every time.
03.
Persistent
In our line of work, we understand innovation takes time; we are PERSISTENT and in it with you for the long haul.
Our goal is to help our clients reach their goals. We foster long-term relationships and trusted partnerships by working transparently and collaboratively with our clients.
Our Team
Holly Krasa
CEO & Founder
Holly is a global medical product development leader and health outcomes researcher working to support global treatment development, system change, and access to evidence-based care. She has successfully developed clinical outcome measures, biomarkers, first-in-disease, and first-of-kind treatments across brain, heart, kidney, and rare diseases. Holly is a board director, committee chair, and advisor to various non-profit and academic organizations and consortia.
Holly received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science in Neurobiology and Physiology from Northwestern University.
Jessica Markowitz
Practice Director
Jessica is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience in quantitative and qualitative research focused on behavioral interventions and patient-centered outcomes. Her work in academic medicine and boutique consulting firms has focused on patient-centered outcomes to support medical product development and improve the quality of life in adolescents during transitions of care. Jessica has led people, projects, and organizations and mentored the next generation of health services researchers.
Jessica received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Vassar College and a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from Drexel University.
Faith Sinema
Business Manager
Faith is a business leader experienced in managing and growing small businesses driving operational efficiency and organization development. Throughout her career, Faith has successfully overseen the day-to-day operations of small enterprises, focusing on process optimization, team leadership, and strategic growth. She is passionate about empowering businesses to reach their full potential.
Faith received a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design and Art History from Arizona State University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, combining creative expertise with strong business acumen.
Andrew Palsgrove
Senior Advisor
Andrew is an outcomes researcher with experience designing, executing, and overseeing studies in government, academic, and industry research settings. Andrew has developed many clinical outcomes assessments across therapeutic areas and rare diseases for clinical trials and clinical practice.
Andrew received a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and is working towards a Master of Science.
Melinda Hicks
Research Assistant
Melinda works as a research assistant with experience supporting health research, including literature reviews, qualitative interviews, and data analysis. Melinda also has a background in regulatory management and compliance for clinical trials and observational research working with academic research institutions and patient advocacy organizations. Melinda is a Blue Persimmon Emerging Scientist Program scholar, completing a graduate student research internship the summer of 2024.
Melinda received a Bachelor of Arts in Global Public Health from the University of Virginia, and is completing her Master of Public Health at Columbia University with a concentration in Health Policy and Management and a certificate in Comparative Effectiveness Outcomes Research.
Jane Hall
Program Coordinator
Jane works as a Program Coordinator with experience across various management responsibilities coordinating projects, supporting operations teams, managing vendors, contracts, and human resource activities. Jane’s experience also includes topic specific desk research, survey design, and data reporting. Jane is a Blue Persimmon Emerging Scientist Program scholar, completing an undergraduate research internship at Blue Persimmon in 2022.
Jane is completing a Bachelor of Science degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with concentrations in Human Development and Physics.
Frances Eskew
Research Assistant
Frances works as a Research Assistant experience supporting various research programs, including design, execution and oversight of multiple outcomes research programs for non-profit and industry stakeholders. Frances is a Blue Persimmon Emerging Scientist Program scholar, completing an undergraduate research internship at Blue Persimmon in 2022.
Frances is completing a Bachelor of Science degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a concentration in Experimental Neuroscience.
Delaney Saccoach
Research Assistant
Delaney works as a Research Assistant with experience supporting various research programs, including systematic literature reviews and data analysis for non-profit and industry stakeholders. Delaney’s experience includes work in an academic neurocognition and perception research lab. Delaney is a Blue Persimmon Emerging Scientist Program scholar, completing an undergraduate research internship the summer of 2024.
Delaney is completing a Bachelor of Science degree at University of Massachusetts, Amherst with concentrations in Psychology and Neuroscience.