Staff.

Dr. Gail Christopher is an award-winning social change agent with expertise in the social determinants of health and well-being and related public policies. She is known for her pioneering work to infuse holistic health and diversity concepts into public sector programs and policy discourse. Dr. Christopher recently retired from her role as Senior Advisor and Vice President at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), where she was the driving force behind the America Healing initiative and the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation effort. She also served as Kellogg’s Vice President for Program Strategy. From 2007-2017, she led several other areas of foundation programming. These include, Food, Health and Well-Being, Leadership, Public Policy, Community Engagement and place-based funding in New Orleans and New Mexico. In 2015, she received the Terrance Keenan Award from Grant makers in Health. She chaired the Board of the Trust for America’s Health from 2012-2022. In 2019, she became a Senior Scholar with George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Dr. Christopher also became the Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE) in November 2019. NCHE is a national nonprofit based in Washington, DC. Since 2020, she has served as Director of the Transforming Public Health Data Commission, sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

She is the visionary for and architect of the WKKF-led Truth Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) effort for America. TRHT is an adaptation of the globally recognized Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) model. TRHT evolved from the decade-long WKKF America Healing, racial equity and racial healing initiative.

In August of 2017, Dr. Christopher left her leadership position with WKKF to launch the Maryland-based Ntianu Center for Healing and Nature; and to devote more time to writing and speaking on issues of health, racial healing and human capacity for caring.

Her distinguished career and contributions to public service were honored in 1996 when she was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. In 2007, she received the Leadership Award from the Health Brain Trust of the Congressional Black Caucus for her work in reducing racial and ethnic health disparities; in 2009, she was named a Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) Honorary Fellow – the highest recognition given to a non-SOPHE member, who has made significant contributions to health education and public health; in 2011, she was awarded the “Change Agent Award” by the Schott Foundation for Public Education; in 2012, she was the recipient of the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) John C. MacQueen Lecture Award for her innovation and leadership in the field of maternal and child health; in 2022, she was a recipient of Casey Family Programs’ Casey Excellence for Children Awards (CECA) for Leadership; in 2023, the American Journal of Health Promotion honored Dr. Christopher as one of the 10 Most Influential Women Scholars in Health Promotion.

A prolific writer and presenter, Dr. Christopher is the author, co-author, and has contributed chapters to 14 books, hundreds of articles, presentations and publications, and contributed a monthly column in the Federal Times and was a regular contributor to the Huffington Post.

Her national print and broadcast media credits are numerous, and include The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Dallas Times, National Journal, Essence, “Good Morning America,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” National Public Radio and a documentary on CBS and a Peabody award winning documentary on PBS.

Prior to joining WKKF, she was vice president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies’ Office of Health, Women and Families in Washington, D.C. There, she led the Joint Center Health Policy Institute, a multi-year initiative created to engage underserved, racial and ethnic minorities in health policy discussions. Previously, she served as executive director of the Institute for Government Innovation at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Massachusetts and was a guest scholar in the governance studies department at The Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. She has held additional executive leadership positions at the National Academy of Public Administration, Howard University School of Divinity, Americans All National Education Program and Family Resource Coalition of America. Dr. Christopher has also launched, led and managed three public commissions. Under her sponsorship, the landmark Dellums Commission research into conditions faced by young men of color produced policy recommendations to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities.

She holds a doctor of naprapathy degree from the Chicago National College of Naprapathy in Illinois and completed advanced study in the interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in holistic health and clinical nutrition at the Union for Experimenting Colleges and Universities at Union Graduate School of Cincinnati, Ohio.

"I am committed to health and racial equity because inequality based on race and ethnicity has no place in our society. We must always be vigilant and continue to fight to advance equity-focused efforts and disrupt the tyranny of racism at every structural level."

Carla is a 30-year career veteran in the political and nonprofit sectors. As Deputy Director and Co-founder, Carla works closely with the Executive Director to support programs and strategic initiatives at NCHE. In this role, she also oversees NCHE’s operations and administrative team. Carla has helped to operationalize multiple nationally recognized programs, including Place Matters and the Culture of Health Leadership Institute(s), which have helped mobilize local leaders to address health and racial equity. Carla has held leadership positions at the National Mental Health Association and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. She draws inspiration from the countless communities transformed by the work and initiatives at NCHE that shape lives and opportunities for people of color and the many enterprising and exceptional allies who work alongside us.

"I am committed to health and racial equity because I believe love always wins, and moving towards health and racial equity means moving towards a society built on love and empathy. "

Christina supports the Culture of Health Leadership Institute for Racial Healing (CoHLI) alongside the Program Director. CoHLI empowers leaders around the country to strengthen their healing practices, foster community, connect to resources, and collaborate with other individuals who are advancing racial and health equity through their work.

Christina received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Geography from King’s College London in 2021, with a focus on health inequities. Prior to joining NCHE, Christina provided administrative support at the American Medical Association and served with AmeriCorps NCCC. She is a native of Washington, DC, where she and her dog reside.

"I am committed to health and racial equity because of my foundational belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to live a life of dignity and well-being, irrespective of their background or ethnicity. Through my own lived experiences, I have witnessed systemic injustices that have perpetuated unequal access to resources and opportunities, leading to significant disparities in health outcomes. From the effects of British colonization on my grandmother and family in Kenya to the inadequate healthcare provided to my family here in the US, the belief in the hierarchy of human value has touched all corners of life. Achieving equity is not only a moral imperative but also essential for building a more just and inclusive society. I firmly believe that by actively working towards eliminating these disparities and promoting health equity, we can create a future where everyone has the chance to live a healthy and fulfilling life, regardless of race, ethnicity or social class."

As the Program Coordinator at NCHE, Olivia is responsible for a wide array of tasks spanning coordination and management of programs, project management, logistical support, developing and managing content for program-related communications, and maintaining and analyzing program data. Additionally, Ms. Mbugua provides logistical support for both virtual and in-person events, administrative support to program consultants, and facilitates communication with stakeholders and participants.

Ms. Mbugua’s previous experience includes working with City Year AmeriCorps in Washington, DC, where she provided 1:1 support to 7th-grade students and collaborated on initiatives with school faculty to bridge learning gaps. Additionally, she worked with Miramar International College, managing grant research, donor and NGO relationships, and onsite operations for the College’s agribusiness training program in Nairobi, Kenya. Ms. Mbugua received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Peace and Social Justice, and a Law, Ethics, and Society Minor from Berea College, with an emphasis on education, environmental justice, restorative justice, and conflict mediation.

"I am committed to health and racial equity because I firmly believe that every individual deserves access to high-quality, affordable healthcare, as well as fundamental necessities like housing and nutrition. These rights should be universal entitlements rather than exclusive privileges, irrespective of one's race, ethnicity, gender, or religion."

In the role of Digital Communications and Operations Associate, London engages in a collaborative effort with the Senior Manager of Operations to curate website and social media content for NCHE. Facilitating the coordination and monitoring of weekly updates across digital platforms, she strategically disseminates digital content through various outreach channels to amplify visibility of NCHE’s initiatives. In addition she is responsible for implementing operational strategies that are congruent with our overarching mission aimed at promoting health equity and advancing racial reconciliation efforts.

London brings a wealth of expertise with over 7 years of experience in the dynamic realms of healthcare and administration. Her academic journey includes achieving a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a minor in Spanish from the esteemed University of North Carolina-Greensboro, followed by the attainment of her Master of Public Health degree from Shenandoah University.

"I am committed to health and racial equity because of my personal experiences and the mission of the National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE). As a Black American who grew up in a low-resource neighborhood, I have firsthand experience of the health and systemic inequities that persist in our society.

My commitment is fueled by my desire to see other disadvantaged individuals and communities have the opportunity to live healthier and better lives. By working towards this goal, I hope to contribute to a future where everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has an equal opportunity to thrive and achieve the best possible health outcomes."

As the Senior Manager of Operations at NCHE, I am dedicated to enhancing organizational efficiency and effectiveness through strategic operational leadership. My role encompasses developing and executing operational strategies that align with our mission to foster health equity and racial healing. I manage a dynamic team, oversee budgets, and optimize processes to ensure our objectives are completed and met with excellence. My responsibilities also include interfacing with our fiscal sponsor to ensure compliance, managing technology and software needs, and coordinating with departments to facilitate smooth operations.

"I am committed to health and racial equity because I believe it is essential for creating a society where everyone can thrive regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender expression, cultural beliefs, or socioeconomic background. By championing health and racial equity, we can dismantle structural barriers and policies that hinder access to quality healthcare, education, economic opportunity, safe and thriving environments, and overall social justice."

The primary focus of Ina’s work is leading the Culture of Health Leadership Institute for Racial Healing (CoHLI). She collaborates to catalyze transformative change by engaging with multidisciplinary leaders to expand the knowledge, skills, and connections paramount to advancing racial healing and building healthier communities. Prior to her current role, Ina was the Senior Manager for Programs and Health Equity at the Safe States Alliance leading multiple programs, evaluation, and technical assistance activities. She also has previous experience as a Health Scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention working with state and local health departments.

Ina has over 18 years of experience as a public health practitioner. Ina earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Hampton University. She earned her Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Behavioral and Community Health Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) candidate at the University of Georgia.

"I am committed to health and racial equity because everyone should have a fair opportunity to reach their full health potential and that no one should be deprived from achieving this potential."

Muriel is the Administrative Coordinator at NCHE. She provides administrative support for the entire team and serves as the organization’s point person for NCHE’s operations systems and processes. Before joining NCHE, Muriel worked as an administrative assistant for several executive and senior leadership staff members at the Joint Center for Political & Economic Studies before becoming a vital member of the Health Policy Institute of the Joint Center. Muriel is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of administrative experience in scheduling, meeting planning, and execution. She thrives in team-building environments that put the needs of people at the center.