I lead the Society’s integrated policy agenda and develop relationships with federal agencies and external stakeholders instrumental in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases like COVID, mpox, and HIV.

I specialize in strategy, research and messaging to influence existing and emerging policy and legislation as well as training and mobilizing grassroots and grasstops advocates. I also provide coaching services for entry level and early career professionals in government relations.

At the National Association of County & City Health Officials, I lead policy strategy, development and communications processes in collaboration with subject matter teams, the Board of Directors and local health official workgroups. I also supervise junior staff as well as interns from public health and medicine training programs.With a focus on connections between health and social justice, I educate and empower a 500-member base as well as grassroots and coalition allies to maximize impact on public health. In addition to topics such as the Affordable Care Act, nutrition, chronic disease, opioid abuse and environmental health, I’ve expanded NACCHO’s advocacy platform to include health equity positions for underserved, diverse, immigrant and LGBTQ+ populations. Highlights:- Provided virtual and in-person trainings to 150 public health professionals in 2018-2019, and delivered presentations to the Kansas Health Department, Michigan Public Health Training Center and SYNC Conference: The National Conference on HIV, HCV, STDs & LGBT Health.- Launched and lead an annual Hill Day for the Board of Directors, state associations of county and city health officials, Big Cities Health Coalition and National Association of Local Boards of Health. This event included 123 Capitol Hill meetings in 2019, a 25% growth rate over 2018.- Secured language in the FY2019 appropriations bill that directed funding for local health departments in response to the opioid epidemic.- Participated in a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program advocacy campaign that resulted in 20 letters to the Administration from city and county health officials.- Developed and/or contributed to flagship publications and presentations such as the NACCHO Advocacy Toolkit, Podcasts from Washington, News from Washington (weekly e-newsletter) and monthly Public Health Dispatch.I also directed a government relations contract with Drinker, Biddle & Reath from 2009 to 2011.

In multiple roles at the NRHA, I managed policy strategy, communications and advocacy efforts that activated high-level and grassroots stakeholders alike in advancing policy change in America’s rural communities. A key component of my role was leveraging research to educate members and policymakers about the diverse circumstances and needs across rural areas, and how economic, educational and geographic factors impact associated health and social outcomes. Leveraging traditional, digital and in-person outreach and advocacy vehicles, I created a cadence on key policy issues throughout the year. Highlights:- Produced the annual Policy Institute (a three-day event with 20 speakers, 400 attendees, and meetings with Congressional staff).- Delivered multiple presentations to influencer and grassroots groups of up to 200 people. - Managed a $1 million annual grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Rural Health Policy, which involved providing sub-grants and technical assistance to state associations as well as producing educational publications and conferences.