As a Developmental Psychologist, researcher, and program director with 25+ years of professional experience, my work focuses on promoting health, well-being, and success for children, youth and families from underserved communities. My research and policy work spans from early education and transition to kindergarten to promoting education and work opportunities for older "opportunity"​ youth and young adults as they transition to adulthood. Eliminating health disparities in rural communities of color and partnering with diverse stakeholders to promote racial equity are key focal points of my work. Juvenile and Community Justice, Parental Incarceration, and Re-entry are special topics of interest. My work is informed by principles of Ecological Systems Theory and a Collective Impact framework guides my work on community change processes. I am an experienced grant writer and project manager. I have obtained research grants from several federal agencies and foundations over the years, including funding for interdisciplinary collaborations. I have peer-reviewed publications on topics such as the impact of poverty on family dynamics and child outcomes, the promotion of school success for low-income youth, and conducting health disparities research with rural communities of color. I have published research on strengths-based interventions for African American youth and I adhere to a resilience-focused perspective in my work. Having worked successfully inside and outside of the academy, I have a diverse skillset for conducting research. This enables me to serve as a mentor for graduate and undergraduate students, as well as junior faculty. Community engagement with stakeholders, including families, local and state leadership, and the research community is a key aspect of my work.