Laura Murphy is a champion of civil rights. I partnered with Ms. Murphy and led a team to plan the launch of her seminal report on key principals for conducting civil rights audits. We timed the release and announcement to support inside/outside advocacy strategies and shareholder organizing by key partners, including OpenMic, ACLU, UnidosUS and more. As strategic comms lead I worked closely with Laura to develop key messages for her and partners’ use, plan and manage partner input and promotion, pitch and manage earned media, strategize, promote and prepare for speaking engagements around the report, and facilitate design and publication. Laura’s incredible work gained far-reaching coverage in outlets such as Axios, Bloomberg and The Washington Post. 

Perhaps most importantly, immediately after the report’s release in 2021, State Street announced its commitment to undertaking a civil rights audit.

Culture of Health Prize winners are working to upend structural racism and build a future where health is a right, not a privilege. I acted as a strategic advisor and team leader for the communications and narrative capacity building arm of the Prize from 2023 to 2025. I worked closely with RWJF, a national advisory committee, and programmatic partners to celebrate and resource Prize winners, ultimately creating a spotlight for their work that built momentum.

Partnership with the Prize included developing stories (such as webpages, social campaigns, and blogs), and resourcing the powerful network of Prize alumni. I led and collaborated on narrative grantmaking, regular communications counsel, network facilitation and communication, and virtual and in-person trainings and convenings.

I have partnered with the Health Forward Foundation since early 2020, when Health Forward was poised to make significant changes to its work by shifting its purpose to focus on health equity through racial and economic equity. I worked closely with Foundation leaders and listened to grantees, staff and board members to understand the opportunities for strategic communication that would build momentum for their refreshed approach, ultimately reshaping the Foundation’s voice as a do-no-harm equity champion. I partnered with Health Forward’s incredible communication team and leadership to develop refreshed messaging and to train all staff, key partners, and board leaders. Since, I have partnered with Health Forward on thought leadership strategies, communications planning, and brand positioning.

As a statewide communications director at UCSF, I designed and produced events and communications that built consensus and energy around solutions for disparities in Black maternal health. I partnered with IDEO.org to lead a human-centered design sprint with pregnant moms to advocate for birth equity, and brought a campaign to life both in person and through creative, digital storytelling. I launched events, including a beloved and well-attended monthly talk series that is still in production; rallies at SF City Hall; research symposiums; and film screenings. I strengthened partnerships and brought new audiences into the fold.

I led the development and implementation of the California Preterm Birth Initiative’s communications strategy, brand, digital presence, and campaign, Voices for Birth Justice.