Cassandra Bixler is a Practice Leader for the Change Management and Learning Development Practice at NYSTEC. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Niagara University and has more than 20 years of experience consulting for New York State government agencies on large-scale technology and program implementations. Cassie is a Prosci Certified Change Management Practitioner. She is from Niskayuna, NY, and serves as the President for the Capital Region Chapter of the Association for Talent Development (CRATD).

Isaac Lutz serves as a policy and program strategic solutions practice (PPSS) leader for NYSTEC. He leads the PPSS practice and oversees multiple client projects within the Medicaid program, which is overseen by the Office of Health Insurance Program at the New York State Department Health. He is from Indianapolis, Indiana, earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, and a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. Before joining NYSTEC, Isaac worked for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and he also served in the country of Moldova as a United States Peace Corp Volunteer.

Muhammad Khan serves as a Quality Management and Improvement Practice Leader for NYSTEC. He attended SUNY Albany’s School of Business, where he earned an MBA in information technology management. He also holds a master’s certificate in human resource management from Cornell University. Muhammad has more than 10 years of experience in human resources, healthcare technology, and consulting spanning New York City and Albany. He holds PMI, PBA, and PMP certifications and worked at General Electric beforejoining NYSTEC. He is originally from Detroit, Michigan, and is an avid sports fan. His favorite teams are the Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Redwings.

Olivia Savery is a Quality Systems Transformation Practice Leader at NYSTEC. She is responsible for guiding the overall strategy, client satisfaction, and success of the Quality Systems Transformation Practice. She also serves as the lead for NYSTEC’s Quality Improvement Organization (QIO)-like Entity Designation, overseeing all related initiatives, strategy development, and operational alignment to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Olivia holds a bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, as well as a Master of Public Health and a Doctor of Public Health from the University at Albany. Previously, she worked at the Center for Disability Services, serving as the Director of Quality Improvement and Incentive Programs. She is from upstate New York and holds several professional certifications, including one in change management and one in health informatics.

Jeannine Smith is NYSTEC’s Marketing Communications Manager. 

With more than 30 years’ experience in corporate communications and public relations, Jeannine leads a team dedicated to comprehensively supporting NYSTEC’s internal and external communications needs, including digital and printed materials, photography and videography, social media, website maintenance, community relations support, and press relations.  

Before joining NYSTEC, Jeannine served as the deputy director of public information at the state Office of Children and Family Services, where she also managed various internal and external communications and supervised staff. She served in the Governor’s Office of the State of New York as a deputy communications director overseeing press responses for six state agencies and advising leadership on related communications strategy, was the vice president of public relations for a corporate credit union, and was a communications specialist at GE.  

Jeannine also has a background in psychology and entrepreneurship, founding public relations consulting and geriatric care management firms. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from Hamilton College and a master’s in clinical social work from Boston University. 

Girk Cakmak serves as a business development manager for NYSTEC. He is an accomplished, goal-oriented professional with a wide range of experience, including business development, digital marketing, sales, and project management. With more than 18 years of experience in the government and healthcare sectors, Girk’s skill set includes developing and executing business development strategies, redesigning sales operations, and creating new digital marketing processes. He also has extensive experience with New York State contract vehicles.