Meet the Staff

Sharon Ballard

Ms. Ballard was named the NIH Transition Center Director in early 2007, bringing 13 years of experience working with the NIH community.  Her previous positions range from recreational therapist at the Clinical Center to program manager at the NIH Training Center.  Prior to her Federal career, she directed an adjunct therapy department at a private hospital while teaching undergraduate classes at a state university.  Sharon is committed to creating productive organizations by helping both employees and managers minimize the effect of change and maximize its benefits in the workplace.  She earned a Bachelor’s from Baylor University and her graduate degree from the University of Georgia.

Wanda Cumberlander

Ms. Cumberlander brings 20+ years of experience from the private and non-profits sectors. Her background includes human resource management, organizational development, training, career development, diversity, and project/program management.  Major federal sector projects include initiatives with the Department of Defense, Library of Congress, EPA, Interior Department, Bureau of Census, NIH, GSA, USDA, and the U.S. Mint.  Having spent the past 10 years as an organizational consultant helping to facilitate organizational change, Wanda’s varied background makes it possible for her to live her passion of helping people through difficult transitions.  She holds a Master of Science in Organization Development from American University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Planning from Rutgers University.

Lynne Kartsakalis

Ms. Kartsakalis joined the NIH Transition Center as a HR Advisor in October 2005.  She has actively supported multiple competitive sourcing reviews across NIH, and has been involved at every phase of the process.  She brings several years of experience focusing on organizational restructuring and employee communications.  She is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (Magna Cum Laude) from Averett University.

Joyce Robinson

Ms. Robinson came to the NIH Transition Center after serving several years as a Human Resources Specialist with the Client Services Division of OHR, supporting multiple ICs.  She brings vital experience with multiple HR Systems to the role of an HR Advisor and provides expert advice in areas such as classification, position management, recruitment, and staffing.  Joyce’s educational background/degree is in Business Management.

Annette Vernon

Ms. Vernon has 16+ years of Federal service involving organizational design and development, strategic planning, business transformation and financial management.  As a Team Leader at the US Postal Service (USPS) HQ, she led major restructuring initiatives and nationwide activities to support the USPS national human resources organizational management and staffing processes.  She also worked for the Department of the Treasury as a Financial Program Specialist.  Originally, from California, she holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of La Verne, and an AA in Liberal Arts from Los Angeles Mission College.

Mikka Newsome

A recent addition to the NIH Transition Center as a project coordinator is Ms. Newsome.  She brings 9+ years of administrative experience and prides herself on exceptional customer service skills.  She studied biology at Bowie State University, and is currently pursuing an online Business Management degree from the University of Phoenix.  Her thirst for knowledge should be noted as she continues on her educational journey.  Throughout her professional career, Mikka has consistently gone beyond the call of duty ensuring customer satisfaction and overall productivity.  She is a resourceful, detail oriented problem solver who is dedicated to fulfilling the needs of others.

Laura Toomey

Ms. Toomey is responsible for administrative support services for the NIH Transition Center.  During college, she helped physicians in a high-paced pediatrics office and graduated in 2005 from Villa Julie College with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry.  After college, she provided individuals, couples and families making adoption plans with counseling and case management services.  She has worked for the Association of Retarded Citizens and remains actively involved helping autistic children.

Maria Doherty

Maria Doherty comes to the Transition Center with over 20 years of experience working in non-profits, healthcare and the federal sector with an expertise in customer service, crisis management and conflict resolution.  She is a Certified Paralegal and has additional experience in medical legal analysis and investigation.  Previously, Maria worked in healthcare as a Patient Liaison/Risk Management Coordinator.  She has facilitated focus groups to improve customer service, and improve performance and efficiency on an interdisciplinary level.  Additional projects include working as part of an employee reward and recognition committee, providing training in risk assessment and management, and working as a security evaluator for a countywide emergency preparedness drill.  She enjoys planning fundraising and community events and is the recipient of several awards for customer service excellence.

Linda Hunter

Linda Hunter recently celebrated 20 years in Federal service after 16 years with the Office of Personnel Management and, most recently, 4 ½ years with the Department of State (DOS) in Passport Services. Her human resources background includes staffing, recruitment, classification, training, human resources and human resources systems development. While at the Customer Service Office in Passport Services, she managed a contact center contract, developed a Request for Proposal (RFP), served as content manager for Passport Services’ public website, and supervised a supplemental call center staffed with DOS employees during last summer’s passport crisis. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from Oakland University, and a Master’s in Dispute Resolution from Wayne State University, both in her native Michigan. She has a passion for creating safe environments for people to speak from the heart, and really listen to others, and currently volunteers as a mediator for the Montgomery County.