Alumni Highlights Data Scientist by Day, Podcast Host by Night Robert Kahne (MPP '11)

While many of our graduates go on to careers in government, Robert Kahne (MPP ‘11) illustrates that the calling to serve the public good takes many forms. Robert lives and works in Louisville as a data scientist for Edumedics, which helps client organizations to lower healthcare costs through disease management. “I analyze health care claims to identify people who would benefit from disease management programs, and then analyze clinical information to gauge whether our program participants’ health is improving,” Robert explains.

Robert loves the opportunity to work with data on a day-to-day basis, especially in a way that helps others. Statistical analysis is a core component of the Martin School curriculum, alongside public policy. Robert is passionate about both. “I’m still very passionate about policy and government, but it turns out the skills around statistics and research methodology ended up being what I get paid to do!”

While Robert doesn’t directly work with public policy in his job, his hobbies revolve around it. In his spare time, Robert has started both a podcast and is involved in a nonprofit called the Civic Data Alliance. He started “My Old Kentucky Podcast,” which he co-hosts with another Louisvillian, to bring public policy conversations to the community. The most recent episode focuses on state tax reform. His work with the Civic Data Alliance is also driven by passion: “I remember how hard it was (in school) to access government data sets. Lots of the time when we got data, it was in formats like PDF or Word that were difficult to use. The CDA is committed to opening government data and to using that data to elucidate policy options for governmental and other community leaders.”

Robert also serves on the board of Highland Community Ministries, and is active in the Highland Baptist Church. Otherwise, you’ll find him at home with his wife.

All of our alumni are different in their passions, public policy philosophies, and interests. However, they all have something in common with Robert: a commitment to the public good, both in the office and on the weekends.