Delaware Healthcare Association doubles staff ahead of legislative session

As the 2025 legislative session kicks off, the Delaware Healthcare Association (DHA) announced it’s nearly doubling the size of its staff.

While the number only grows from four to seven, DHA President and CEO Brian Frazee said in a news release that the hires help the group build on its efforts to enhance healthcare quality, access, affordability, and equity in the new year and beyond.

“We are entering a new chapter for the Delaware Healthcare Association, and I am thrilled to welcome our new team members on this journey,” Frazee said.

Here are the new staff members:

Carling Ryan (Director of Strategic Affairs & Operations)

Ryan has served as a director with Social Contract, a Wilmington business and social service consultant group, since 2019, managing a portfolio of social and collective impact projects including those related to community violence reduction and service delivery improvement across government systems. 

Prior to that, she worked at the Delaware Department of Human Resources as a policy and research analyst and in the General Assembly providing policy analyses as well as strategic management and constituent services. 

Ryan will oversee internal operations and DHA’s new political action strategies.

Jules Villecco (Director of Policy) 

Villecco is researching health policies, tracking legislation and regulations, and providing policy analysis for DHA members. 

She comes from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, where she spearheaded large departmental legislative initiatives and liaised with executive leadership and state and federal policy leads to promote practical change and advocacy. 

She previously served as executive assistant, policy assistant to the Cabinet Secretary, and legislative assistant to leadership in the Delaware General Assembly.

Jen Rini (Director of Communications) 

Rini is leading the organization’s media and communications operations. 

She began her communications career as a journalist covering Delaware government and healthcare for the Delaware State News and The News Journal. 

She has experience leading political communications and external and internal media strategy within state government at the Delaware General Assembly, Children’s Department, and most recently, Lt. Governor’s Office. 

She’s also worked within the communications team at a recycling non-governmental organization, where she gained broader experience in marketing and communications project management.

“Carling, Jules, and Jen bring a positive, can-do perspective and energy to our advocacy efforts and have already hit the ground running,” Frazee said. “Their experiences in government and operations management are true assets to our work.”