Professionals from Albuquerque, N.M., to New York City—working across a range of fields, including architecture, education, and government—have been selected to participate in the Culture of Health Leaders program. Working individually and in teams, these leaders will address top-of-mind issues in health and equity, including food systems, racial stress in urban communities, and immigrant trauma.
As one of only 40 applicants selected, Jeanne Herb, Associate Director of the Bloustein School’s Environmental Analysis and Communications (EAC) Group joins Culture of Health Leaders, a new program co-led by the National Collaborative for Health Equity and CommonHealth ACTION with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She will join leaders from across the country to participate in leadership development training and to collaborate and innovate to solve persistent challenges and advance a Culture of Health—one that places well-being at the center of every aspect of life.
“The inspiration and vision these leaders bring to our program is astounding, and they come at health and equity from every angle,” said Brian Smedley, Culture of Health Leaders co-director and executive director and co-founder of the National Collaborative for Health Equity. “They will redefine the way leaders in every field use their innovation and influence to shatter the status quo on health in our country.”
During the program, participants will develop high-level leadership skills through professional coaching, networking and an advanced leadership curriculum. While participating in the program they apply new knowledge, competencies, and leadership in the community and field.
“This program gives leaders the opportunity to have even more impact,” said Natalie S. Burke, Culture of Health Leaders co-director and president and CEO of CommonHealth ACTION. “They will gain a very unique experience, allowing them to collaborate and learn from other leaders from many different arenas and immediately apply what they have learned them to lead substantive and meaningful change.”
As Associate Director of the Environmental Analysis and Communications Group, Jeanne leads a variety of projects and programs related to environmental policy, healthy community planning, and sustainability. She co-facilitates the University’s Planning Healthy Communities Initiative, as well as the NJ Climate Adaptation Alliance, and the Sustainable Raritan River Initiative, all of which are university-led collaborative efforts integrating science and evidence, along with community engagement, into planning and decision-making.
Additional partners providing training and coaching to leaders include: American Planning Association, American Public Health Association, Build Healthy Places Network, Center for Creative Leadership, Institute for Alternative Futures, and Leadership Learning Community.
Culture of Health Leaders is one of four new leadership development programs launched this year by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and represent a four-year, multimillion dollar investment. The programs join five existing leadership programs in advancing RWJF’s legacy of supporting the development and diversity of leaders impacting health. The 2017 application period for the new programs will open in January. Additional information is available at www.cultureofhealth-leaders.org.