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Chris Haffer

Pronouns: He/Him

Chris is a nationally award-winning innovator and leader in using federal data for evidence-based policy-making.

Chris is a senior fellow in NORC’s Economics, Justice & Society department. He is a skilled senior executive and data scientist who recognizes the transformative role of data to make government policies and programs more effective and better serve society. Chris joined NORC in 2023 after spending five years as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC’s) inaugural Chief Data Officer (CDO) and Director of the Office of Enterprise Data and Analytics (OEDA). 

Chris built an award-winning, 21st-century data and analytics organization utilizing state of the art data science tools and techniques, and efficiently leveraging data to reduce burden and costs while protecting privacy and promoting program transparency.

Prior to his work at EEOC, Chris spent 26 years with the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) leading the Data and Policy Analytics Group at the Office of Minority Health, and directing the National Medicare Health Outcomes Survey Program. Chris is a first-generation college graduate. 

Education

PhD

University of Maryland Graduate School, Baltimore

MA

University of Maryland Graduate School, Baltimore

BA

Loyola College Maryland

Appointments & Affiliations

Fellow

American Statistical Association

Appointed Member

Baltimore County Maryland Planning Board

Member

National Organization of Gay & Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals

Honors & Awards

Federal Chief Data Officer Award | 2022

Data Foundation/Data Coalition Datum

Distinguished Achievement in Federal Data Individual Award | 2022

Federal Chief Data Officers Council

Excellence in Data Governance Team Award | 2022

Federal Chief Data Officers Council

Award of Merit | 2012

National Institutes of Health