Advisor and liaison between the Governor’s Office for Children and national partner organizations, philanthropic organizations, local community based organizations, and state agencies.

Interdisciplinary Research Leaders (IRL) is a national leadership program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for teams of researchers and community partners. These teams use the power of applied research—by working with the community to explore critical issues and apply the findings—to advance health and equity. Their innovation helps build a Culture of Health, one that enables everyone across the United States to live longer, healthier lives.Each year, a new class of fellows from across the United States begin the IRL program and have the opportunity to build their leadership skills, implement a community-engaged, action-oriented, and rigorous research project, and learn effective strategies to increase the impact of their research through dissemination, communication, and community organizing. Collaborating across sectors and disciplines, the fellows build connections between factors that shape health, well-being, and equity—such as education, neighborhoods, social services, income, and faith.