About Us
The Alumni Association Advisory Board is made up of dedicated alumni who serve as ambassadors for the Gillings School. They help with student recruitment and mentorship, recognize the contributions of UNC Gillings alumni to the field of public health and engage with the broader professional and alumni community. Their experience in a wide range of public health activities advances the Gillings School’s leadership in public health education, research and practice.
Our Committees
The Alumni Association Advisory Board currently has three committees.
The Awards Committee reviews three very important awards each spring.
- The Harriet Hylton Barr Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes the achievements of alumni and their contributions to public health. The selection committee is comprised of alumni members, and the nomination process begins in January of each year.
- The Bernard G. Greenberg Alumni Endowment Award is presented to an outstanding full-time faculty member of the Gillings School for excellence in the areas of teaching, research and service. The selection committee is comprised of alumni, faculty and student members, and the nomination process begins in February of each year.
- The Student Scholarship Awards Review Committee works with our scholarship office to review the school-wide scholarship nominations and make recommendations for scholarship recipients.
The Engagement/Fundraising Committee finds new ways to engage alumni and fundraise for the Gillings School by building relationships and planning events such as GiveUNC (UNC’s annual giving day). This committee is also responsible for reviewing annual funding requests submitted to the Alumni Association from the Gillings School’s departments and regional chapters.
The Alumni Inclusive Excellence Committee works to engage and inform underrepresented minority alumni, students, faculty and staff about the accomplishments and goals embedded in the Gillings School’s Inclusive Excellence Plan and share their experiences as students and offer practical suggestions to improve the lived experience of current students, faculty and staff. This committee also plans and hosts the annual Engage reception for alumni of color. The committee was officially launched on October 16, 2020, and will lead the Alumni Association Advisory Board’s inclusive excellence initiative.
Alumni Association Advisory Board Leadership
LeVelton R. Thomas, BSPH 2008; MHA 2013 (HPM)
Board Chair (through June 2025)
Account Executive
Healthcare Division, Nuance Communications
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
I am excited for the opportunity to give back to the Gillings School and stay connected with current students and alumni.
How I support or give back to the Gillings School:
I give back to the Gillings School through mentorship, professional development, and financial contributions. I also enjoy serving as a resource for prospective students, who are interested in pursuing their graduate studies at Gillings.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
The Gillings School provided a strong educational foundation, preparing me to be successful in internship and post-graduate fellowship opportunities. Since entering the workforce, I have been very impressed with the power of the alumni network in helping me advance in my career.
My favorite thing about the Gillings School:
My favorite thing about the Gillings School are the people – collaborative classmates, knowledgeable instructors, and supportive staff all working together to advance the field of public health.
I’m originally from:
Raleigh, N.C. and have lived in North Carolina my entire life. My immediate and extended family are all close by in central and eastern North Carolina.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
Winning the Everett V. Fox CASE competition at the National Association Of Health Service Executives with my fellow Gillings School classmates.
The best advice I’ve ever received:
“Learn from every single being, experience, and moment. What joy it is to search for lessons and goodness and enthusiasm in others.” – Eve Marie
To start a conversation with me:
Ask me about my favorite restaurant!
Something most people may not know about me:
I’m a fraternal twin.
Pamela S. Diggs, B.S. 2003, MPH 2007 (HB)
Board Vice Chair (through June 2025)
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Blue Cross NC
Raleigh, N.C.
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
I am grateful for this opportunity to join the Gillings School Alumni Association Board to serve as a resource for prospective and current students and provide connections with alumni. Since my graduation, I have determined that my life’s work is to advocate for equity and justice and center the voices of those who lived experiences have been pushed to the margins. While the Gillings School has made great strides, there is still much more work to do both internally and externally. I am excited about contributing a racial equity lens and my experience and passion working with youth to increase opportunities, particularly for youth of color to be exposed to public health and amplify their voices to create social change.
How I support or give back to the Gillings School:
During my time at the School, I had the privilege of working alongside fellow students and professors to help create more equitable experiences for current and future public health leaders. I have returned to speak on career panels, exhibit at the Minority Health Conference, and guest lecture in the classroom. I gained so much from the people and relationships I formed during my time at the School, that I feel strongly about continuing to forge relationships and pour into others what was given to me.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
Many of the relationships I forged as a member of the Minority Student Caucus and Minority Health Conference Planning Committee remain strong and helped shape the life’s work I chose and that I know chose me. From the beginning of my time at the School I was intrigued by the people and the history of community centered work to eliminate health inequities. Every opportunity that I have had since has been centered in community and equity work at various levels with a strong commitment to examine public health issues as social justice issues.
My favorite thing about the Gillings School:
My favorite thing about the Gillings School is the collaboration and relationships. There are so many different research and practice-based projects of interest at the school that are connected to various sectors across the state, nation, and the world. Every time I come back for events like the Minority Health Conference it feels like homecoming and the door is always open for future collaboration.
I’m originally from:
I was born in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and am very proud to be from the Bull City (Durham). Yes, there are people who live in the Triangle area who are from here! There are actually a lot of people I know who are from Durham who are still here. We embrace a shared vision that creates equitable opportunities for people to live, work and play in North Carolina’s major cities without pushing out those who are being left behind or negatively impacted by the city’s rapid growth and change. I love my city for the culture, history, and movements that are sparked here and will always show love for Durham.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
During my time as a Senior Public Health Educator at Orange County Health Department I worked alongside the Health Director and a coalition of youth and adult partners to lead the development and implementation of the strongest smoke-free policy in the nation at the time in 2012.
The best advice I’ve ever received:
My mom always told me to do my best and don’t worry about trying to be perfect or what everyone else is doing. She reminded me that people are always watching, which helps me give things my all, whatever that may be at the time. My mom is truly an inspiration to me and so many others as she lives out the advice she gave to me in our family, church, and community.
To start a conversation with me:
Tell me where you’re from and what’s your “why” and I will certainly share why being from Durham and the experiences I’ve had because of my identity and passion for others are the “why” that keeps me motivated to continue working for community change every day. I love to hear people’s stories about the how and “why” of their life journeys.
Gautam Aggarwal, BSPH 1998 (BIOS), MS 2000 (BIOS)
Alumni Association Board Member (through June 2024)
Founding Partner
Triangle Insights Group
Durham, NC
Gautam Aggarwal is one of the founding partners of a boutique consulting firm, Triangle Insights Group, that focuses on the pharmaceutical and life-sciences industries. He provides guidance to clients on topic related to corporate, commercial, and research and development strategy. His clients include a mix of leading global pharmaceutical manufacturers and emerging innovative biotech firms. Gautam received a Master of Business Administration from Fuqua (Duke) and a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. As well as serving on the Alumni Association Advisory Board, he is the President-Elect of TiE Carolinas and Vice Chair of the Fuqua Alumni Council. He lives in Morrisville with his wife and two children.
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
I learned a lot from my experiences at the Gillings school and look forward to working with the Alumni board to give back.
How and why I support or give back to the Gillings School:
I have provided financial support to the Gillings School and have also been involved in recruiting (for my company) at UNC (including several programs targeting the SPH specifically)
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
The program increased my awareness of the various opportunities related directly and tangentially to public health. I have focused my career within the healthcare space (starting in industry and then transitioned to management consulting after supplementing my SPH experiences with an MBA).
I’m originally from:
I was born in Canada and then moved to India when I was quite young. I then moved to NC during middle school and have stayed in the east coast of the US since then.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
Working with a wide range of team members — and seeing them grow over their tenures of working with our company.
The best advice I’ve ever received:
Work hard and do the right thing — satisfaction and rewards will follow.
To start a conversation with me:
Talk to me about something you love and teach me something new.
Luis Ramón Torres Torija Arguelles
Alumni Association Board Member
Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
How and why I support or give back to the Gillings School:
As an alumnus, I believe in the power of education to transform healthcare on a global scale. I actively support the Gillings School by connecting international students and helping them showcase their achievements in their home countries. I see this as an opportunity to empower them to become ambassadors of Gillings and strengthen the school’s global reach.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
My public health education at UNC provided a strong foundation that has greatly influenced my career. It sharpened my focus on quality of care and patient safety, and I have since been able to implement these principles in healthcare organizations across Latin America, driving improvements in healthcare systems in my region.
I’m originally from:
Mexico City, Mexico
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
During my time at Gillings, I co-founded the International Graduate Student Association, which aimed to foster a sense of community and inclusiveness at the university. Additionally, I am proud of my contributions to advancing patient safety in my home country and across Latin America through initiatives that improve healthcare quality.
The best advice I’ve ever received:
“Success is not just about making progress, but also about positively impacting the lives of others.” This advice has guided my work in healthcare and my commitment to public health.
Stephanie L. Baker, PhD 2013 (HB)
Alumni Association Board Member (through June 2025)
Associate Professor of Public Health Studies and Chair of the Department of Public Helath Studies
Elon University
Elon, N.C.
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
To give back to the School that gave so much to me.
How I support or give back to the Gillings School: I love supporting the Minority Health Conference through financial donations. It was one of the most meaningful events that happened when I was a student and I like to participate in making sure it continues.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
My education and degree provided me with skills and tools that I can use to support the work of community organizations toward improved health equity and social justice. Research is a wonderful tool that can be very helpful in creating social change when used in partnership with community-driven strategies.
My favorite thing about the Gillings School:
The annual Minority Health Conference is my favorite thing about the Gillings School. The amount of work and effort students and staff advisors put into making this conference happen is amazing.
I’m originally from:
I’m originally from: Dublin, OH.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
Raising my beautiful daughter and earning my PhD degree.
The best advice I’ve ever received:
Always ask questions. If you don’t have questions, you’re not thinking hard enough.
To start a conversation with me:
Talk to me about good food or ways that you are deconstructing false narratives!
Something most people may not know about me:
Despite my discomfort with heights, I took a trapeze class – once.
Sarah Bradford, MPH 2014 (MCH)
Alumni Association Board Member (through June 2024)
Senior Clinical Research Manager
FHI 360
Durham, N.C.
I’m originally from:
Western North Carolina
Alton “A.J.” Brooks, Jr.
Alumni Association Board Member
Executive Director of Patient Service at Piedmont Fayette Hospital
Atlanta, Georgia
Victor Caceres, MD, MPH 1989 (MCH)
Alumni Association Board Member (through June 2024)
Medical Officer
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Atlanta, GA
Victor Caceres is a family physician and medical epidemiologist. He joined CDC in 1995 as an officer in the Epidemic Intelligence Service assigned to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. His work at CDC has focused on global health, overseeing research and field activities related to strengthening of immunization, disease surveillance, endgame strategies for polio eradication, building of sustainable epidemiology training programs and emergency response. Victor grew up in North Carolina, attended the University of North Carolina, in Chapel Hill, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in international studies, a Master of Public Health in maternal and child health, and a Medical Doctor degree. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, soon after his parents emigrated from Honduras. He is married to Susan, and they have a son, Nicolas. Victor enjoys traveling, the outdoors, woodworking and playing classical guitar.
Makala Carrington, MPH, MDiv
Alumni Association Board Member
Doctor of Public Health Candidate at Colorado School of Public Health and Public Health
Officer at United States Air Force
As a North Carolina native, Makala received her Master of Public Health (MPH) from UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and has been as an injury and violence prevention public health researcher for the past five years while serving as a United States Air Force Public Health Officer. Makala received the 2019 APHA Trong D. Nguyen Memorial Award, 2020 Peter J. Sawires Memorial Conference Scholarship for commitment to the anti-violence field, 2021 UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Rachel Stevens Scholarship Award in Public Health to recognize her commitment to leadership in the field of public health, 2022 Colorado School of Public Health Hoffman Firearm Injury and Violence Prevention Scholarship, and 2024 UNC Charlotte Black Alumni Chapter Excellence in Leadership: Research and STEM Award. Following her passion for health equity and faith-based community research, Makala continued her education at Duke Divinity School, completing a Master of Divinity (MDiv) as a Theology, Medicine, and Culture (TMC) Fellow. Makala has studied liberation theology, trauma informed care, and health inequities across marginalized, vulnerable, and oppressed populations. In doing so, Makala advocates for equity, justice, and wholeness in her dissertation writing as a Doctor of Public Health candidate at Colorado School of Public Health. Makala enjoys reading, spending time with family, listening to podcasts, watching/criticizing films, and traveling the world.
How and why I support or give back to the Gillings School:
As a Black and Native American woman, I feel that both public health academia and the workforce lack voices like mine, specifically when making decisions. I have found that the representation of the public health workforce is not representative of the populations that we serve—mostly vulnerable and marginalized populations of color—and this indeed impacts how equitable, inclusive, progressive, innovative, and effective our work is.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
After completing two public health internships at the CDC as an undergrad, Carrington knew she would be pursuing a master’s degree in public health—and wanted to be a part of the push to create a public health space with more diverse leadership.
I’m originally from:
I was born and raised in Fort Liberty/Fayetteville, North Carolina. Both my parents are public servants, my father served 20 years in the United States Army and my mother continues to advance public health, social work, and mental health across the state of North Carolina.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
Makala received the 2019 APHA Trong D. Nguyen Memorial Award, 2020 Peter J. Sawires Memorial Conference Scholarship for commitment to the anti-violence field, and was honored to receive the 2020 UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Rachel Stevens Scholarship Award in Public Health to recognize her commitment to leadership in the field of public health.
The best advice I’ve ever received:
Never apologize for being human.
Meagan L. Davis, BS 2010 (BIO), MPH 2014 (HB)
Atlanta Alumni Chapter Leader (through June 2024)
Public Health Analyst
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Epidemiology Workforce Branch
Atlanta, Ga.
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
I joined the Gillings School Alumni Association Board to help bring alumni together in Atlanta. Serving on the board also allows me to stay connected to the School and other alumni.
How I support or give back to the Gillings School:
I currently serve on the Harriet Hylton Barr Distinguished Alumni Award committee, and I enjoy engaging with alumni, students, and prospective students in Atlanta.
My favorite thing about the Gillings School:
The best part about Gillings is the people! My former classmates and professors are intelligent, kind, and inspirational. I am lucky to have been influenced by them during my time at the Gillings School and beyond.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
The Gillings School had a huge impact on my career, leading me to work that I love. While pursuing an MPH degree, I learned how integral program evaluation is to public health policy and practice. My degree led me to the CDC Evaluation Fellowship, which helped start a fulfilling career.
I’m originally from:
I’m originally from Concord, N.C. I lived in North Carolina for 26 years before moving to Georgia.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
I’m definitely proud to be a double Tar Heel, graduating from UNC twice.
The best advice I’ve ever received:
“Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.”
To start a conversation with me:
Tell me a joke or let’s chat about college basketball!
Brian Ellerby, Co-Chair, MSPH ’88 (HPM)
Health Director
Anson County Health Department
Anson, NC
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
My goal for serving on the board is to enhance the systems and resources available to our students who will the leaders of tomorrow in our health care system.
How and why I support or give back to the Gillings School:
Support to the Gillings School serves as an important resource to our students who face mutliple challenges. By helping others; our students, this enhances the systems of care for all.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
My degree opened a “doorway” for my future that has supported my career achievements and my ability to work with others to enhance the systems of care in multiple communities in the State of North Carolina.
My favorite thing about the Gillings School:
My favorite thing about the Gillings School was the care and engagement provided by my Professors and the friendships gained from my attendance at the school with other students.
I’m originally from:
I was born in a small rural town in North Carolina called Wadesboro, NC. The town in located in Anson County, North Carolina which is approximately 1 hour east of Charlotte, North Carolina. My parents were both educators in our county’s school system and my father became the first African Amercian Assistant Principle at the Bowman Senior High School that was integrated in 1968.
Something most people may not know about me:
I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to play J.V. Basketball at UNC-Chapel Hill under Coach Roy Williams and I also had a brief tenure on the Varity Basketball team having to guard Michael Jordan each night in practice.
Jay Goldring, MSPH 1984 (ESE), PhD 1990 (Toxicology)
Alumni Association Board Member
Executive Director, Quality, Safety and Reg. Aff., Supergoop LLC
New York, NY
Jay Goldring, Ph.D., manages product quality, safety and compliance at Supergoop, a sunscreen manufacturer. Previously he served in management roles in R&D functions at major consumer product and pharmaceutical companies including Avon, L’Oreal, Pfizer and Colgate. Jay received a BA in biology from Columbia University in 1982, an MSPH in Environmental Sciences and Engineering from UNC in 1986 and a Ph.D. in Toxicology from UNC in 1990. He previously served as president of the New Jersey Public Health Association and is active in several community organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hudson, Essex and Union Counties, NJ and local environmental nonprofits and local government commissions.
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
There are over 400 Gillings School alumni in the NYC area and over the last 15 years I organized several networking events which served as opportunities for networking, reminiscing and reaffirming our commitment to UNC and public health. Alumni seemed surprised at the variety of careers represented at the event and expressed interest in staying connected with each other, with school staff and current students. I am interested in best practices of other regional alumni associations to keep their members engaged.
How and why I support or give back to the Gillings School:
When I was a student if someone suggested the career path I eventually followed I would have laughed at them. I did not anticipate an industrial career in pharmaceutical and consumer product R&D and manufacturing but once I did make that choice I found my public health education surprisingly relevant. I want to impress upon students and fellow alumni the variety of careers their education prepares them for.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
My first job was a true “public health” position with the Wisconsin Health Department where I directly used my skills in environmental health assessment and epidemiology learned at UNC. Moving into industry I found those skills surprisingly relevant as I worked with formulators and other researchers to create products which were safe, effective and improved the lives of their consumers.
My favorite thing about the Gillings School:
UNC SPH (it wasn’t Gillings at the time) was small enough to closely work with students who had a wide variety of career goals, from medicine to industry to education and academia, yet large enough to offer specialized courses which were directly relevant to me. The PHS fellowship was also a benefit!
I’m originally from:
I grew up in Chicago, attended Columbia University in NYC and spent 5 years in Madison, WI with the health department before starting an industrial career in the New York area. I currently reside in New Jersey and am married with two grown daughters.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
Building first class product quality and safety functions in several companies and training staff to manage them.
The best advice I’ve ever received:
You may love science and research but you need to understand business and management to make a difference.
To start a conversation with me:
Ask about places in Chapel Hill and Carrboro in the 1980s like Weaver St. Market (which I helped start), International Books, the Rathskeller, Julian’s, Huggins Hardware, the Sunshine Cafe, the Carolina Theater, Pyewacket and the grocery store across the street from Granville Towers (I don’t remember the name, was it Lyons Market?)
Something most people may not know about me:
I hate social media; I was forced to open a Facebook account but never use it!
Christine Marie Hunt, MD, MPH 2013 (PHLP)
Alumni Association Board Member (through June 2024)
Adjunct Professor of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine
Physician Affiliate, Durham VA Health Care System
Durham, N.C.
Board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology/hepatology, Christine M. Hunt, MD, MPH pursued basic and clinical hepatology research on the faculty of Virginia Commonwealth University (1987-1988) and Duke University (1988-1996), examining the effects of aging on drug metabolism and pursuing viral hepatitis research. In 1996, Christine was recruited to GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to develop new hepatitis and gastrointestinal drug therapies; these efforts yielded successful new drug approvals. As GSK vice president, global clinical safety systems (2007-2012), Christine created and led multidisciplinary teams to develop and execute drug safety systems and led productive national and international consortia with U.S. Food and Drug Administration, corporate and academic partners. Leaving GSK to pursue population health, she obtained a Master in Public Heath Leadership at the University of North Carolina in 2013 and returned to Duke University as an adjunct professor of medicine and physician affiliate, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Christine currently collaborates on COVID-19 research and liver disease prevention and treatment systems in the VA and globally and consults in hepatology.
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
I value my learnings from the UNC Public Health Leadership Program and wish to enable others to benefit from its high-quality faculty and programs.
How and why I support or give back to the Gillings School:
As a change agent, I look forward to working with fellow alumni to build communities to support and strengthen UNC.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
The UNC Public Health Leadership Program provided me the background and skills needed to successfully advance population health and develop national clinical prevention programs.
I’m originally from:
Born at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, I am the second of five children of social worker parents. While growing up, we lived in multiple states throughout the North, South and mid-West – which enabled me to learn, adapt to and enjoy differing cultures.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
I am the proud mother of an empathic physician and leader who advances public health and has “so much sunshine to the square inch.”
The best advice I’ve ever received:
Many people pursue “mole hills,” yet real advances come from tackling the mountains.
Anne Jacobs Lieberman, MHA 1993 (HPM)
Alumni Association Board Member (through June 2025)
Principal
Riverstone Health Advisors
Bethesda, Md.
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
I’m thrilled to be able to give back to the Gillings School and support it as it grows and evolves to address some of the most important and challenging public health issues in our nation and around the world. I also look forward to helping to build our Gillings School Washington, D.C. area alumni network.
How I support or give back to the Gillings School:
I support the Gillings School through guest lecturing at the school, mentoring students and recent alumni, attending school events and contributing financially. Throughout my career, I have recruited students from the Gillings School and have mentored many of them as they have progressed professionally.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
My education at the Gillings School has served as a foundation for my career. Having a degree from the Gillings School has helped to open doors because the School is so highly regarded. Also, the knowledge and technical skills I gained at UNC enable me to analyze complex policy, regulatory and operational issues and to tackle new developments and problems that my clients are facing. The Gillings School’s curriculum grounding in the real world also helps me work with my clients to develop practical solutions that will work best for their organizations and the people they serve.
My favorite thing about the Gillings School:
One of my favorite things about the Gillings School has always been the enthusiasm and accessibility of the faculty, staff and students. The result is a great spirit of teamwork and collaboration – one which I have found to extend to Gillings School alumni in the workforce.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
After more than 20 years working at consulting firms, I launched my own consulting firm last year.
The best advice I’ve ever received:
“Have a plan but be willing to change it.”
Michael B. Jacobs, MPH 2003 (PHLP)
Alumni Association Board Member (through June 2024)
Physician
MedStar Health
Washington, DC
Michael Jacobs is a physician with MedStar Health in Washington and a clinical associate professor of anesthesiology at Georgetown University School of Medicine. He specializes in interventional pain medicine and is involved in the education of medical students, residents and fellows. Previously, Jacobs served as a Navy physician for over 20 years in multiple roles, including specialty consultant to the Navy Surgeon General and White House.
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
Serving on the alumni board provides an opportunity to reconnect with students and alumni, and hopefully provide a small but meaningful contribution to the university that has been so supportive of me.
How and why I support or give back to the Gillings School:
It is only during catastrophes, unfortunately, that society appreciates the role of public health professionals. Although I am no longer involved in the public health arena on a large scale, participating in Gillings School initiatives is one way of supporting the incredibly important work being done.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
The MPH was an integral part of my education and specialty training in occupational and environmental medicine. Following graduation, I served in public health tours at naval hospitals in Chicago, Illinois and Sicily, Italy. Whether planning flu vaccinations for thousands of navy recruits, overseeing occupational surveillance programs at navy bases in Europe and the Mideast, or serving as a public health emergency officer, the breadth of experiences and education at UNC provided the confidence and competence to successfully perform my duties.
My favorite thing about the Gillings School:
The diversity of backgrounds in the student body and faculty, limitless opportunities for learning and a stellar national reputation.
I’m originally from:
Wayne, New Jersey. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and medical degree from Temple University. Since then, the Navy took me to many exciting locations, but now I am happy to be raising my family in Maryland for the past 10+ years.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
Caring for wounded service members at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and helping them navigate a path to a meaningful recovery.
The best advice I’ve ever received:
Write down your goals and you are much more likely to achieve them.
To start a conversation with me:
Just say hello. I am happy to talk about anything. My own outside interests include travel, reading, playing golf and tennis, being a sports fan, and attending my kids’ activities.
Ashton N. Madison, MPH 2017 (HB)
Health Behavior Department Chapter Co-Leader (through June 2024)
Program Manager at Verily Life Sciences, LLC
Mebane, N.C.
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
I serve on the Alumni Association Board because I want to further engage with the school, to continue to foster my sense of community here in North Carolina, and to ensure that the School continues to have diverse alumni representation.
How I support or give back to the Gillings School:
I give back to the Gillings School by serving as co-president of the local Health Behavior Alumni Chapter. I am excited to connect with our local alumni network and help further build our community here.
My favorite thing about the Gillings School:
My favorite thing about the Gillings School is the sense of community. Academically or socially, we are always willing to step up for one another. I love that you can find Gillings alumni everywhere!
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
The public health education and degree I received from the Gillings School have reinforced my passions and given me some new ones. Attending the School has given me the opportunity to find new focus areas as well as build incredible skills that I am able to utilize not only at my current job, but also while serving on the Board of Directors of the Art Therapy Institute, a Carrboro-based nonprofit that provides clinical art therapy services to diverse populations across the state.
I’m originally from:
I am originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. For the football folks out there, Roll Tide Roll!
To start a conversation with me:
Let’s talk college sports. Or anthropology. Your choice!
Lauren A. McCormack, PhD, MSPH
Alumni Association Board Member
Sr. Vice President, Communication Practice Area, RTI International
Sanford, NC
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
I serve on the Board to work with fellow alumni so that we can positively influence the direction of the school and help it achieve its mission.
How and why I support or give back to the Gillings School:
I support UNC so it can continue creating future public health leaders who make a difference.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
My UNC education has been valuable in so many ways – I gained a wide range of research skills that I used in many studies, engaged in healthy dialogue around important public health issues that helped me ask better questions and listen carefully, overcame challenges through teamwork and collaboration, and met some lifelong friends. These experiences shaped my career choices including a focus on public health communication.
I’m originally from:
I grew up in Andover, MA and have spent most of my adult life in NC.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
My two sons who are kind, hardworking and Eagle Scouts.
The best advice I’ve ever received:
We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn.
Paul Meade, MPH 2010 (PHLP)
Alumni Association Board Member (through June 2024)
President
Clear Point Health
Tantallon, Nova Scotia
Paul Meade has more than 40 years of healthcare industry experience.
In 2000, Paul left the pharmaceutical industry and began his career in healthcare consulting, working with a variety of clients across many different areas of healthcare. He is currently the President and Owner of two companies in healthcare, Clear Point Health and Thought Leader Select. He is a board member of the Institute for Advanced Career Development, a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Medical Science Liaison Society, and Past-President of the Canadian Business Association of North Carolina. He is also an Adjunct Professor and Adjunct Instructor with the Gillings School of Global Public Health.
Paul received a Masters in Public Health with a Certificate in Public Health Ethics from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 2010. He also holds a Masters of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Guelph and a B.Sc. from Acadia University.
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board because I want to serve as an ambassador for the School in promoting Public Health throughout the world.I have recently moved to Canada and would very much like to actively promote the amazing program in Public Health at UNC, and make new connections with UNC and Universities in Nova Scotia in the area of Public Health. In addition, I would like to offer any services needed by the Alumni Association Board.
How and why I support or give back to the Gillings School:
Apart from making financial contributions to the Gillings School, I have appeared as a guest lecturer in courses, taught a remote course in Public Health Leadership, and have had a practicum student work in my company. I totally believe in giving back as much as I can to the Gillings School in return for what the School has given to me.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
The greatest impact of my UNC MPH has been to teach me about diversity in all aspects of Public Health. My particular interest in Public Health Ethics has driven me to finds ways to bridge Medicine and Public Health in a way that can change how we view health and wellness, and to recognize that the largest health problems facing all people can only be solved by an integrated collaboration of Healthcare and Public Health providers. It is time for Public Health to take an important seat at the table of solving health and wellness challenges for all future generations.
My favorite thing about the Gillings School:
My favorite thing about Gillings School is the willingness of all those involved to keep looking for innovative ways to solve health and wellness issues using diversified thinking and a dedicated sense of purpose to accomplish great outcomes.
I’m originally from:
I am originally from Canada. I lived in five different Provinces and then moved to London, England for 4 years before going to live in the USA for 26 years in North Carolina. I have recently moved back to Canada, living in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I have traveled to many countries throughout the globe, and have enjoyed seeing a diversity of cultures.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
While living in Canada, I organized a poster contest across Canada to have school students design a poster for National Immunization Week, with a panel of distinguished judges to select the winner. There was a winner from each Province, and an overall National winner. The poster was then printed and distributed across Canada to help create awareness for immunization.
I also conducted a similar project while living in England, but this time had children in a large children’s hospital design a Christmas card that was send out to thousands of people worldwide.
Something most people may not know about me:
I grew up in a musical family and learned to play drums, like my father, when I was 11 years old. I took up playing electric bass guitar in my 50s and play with a jazz group every week. I have played in various bands since my college days. I am now getting into music production.
Matthew Merritt, MPH
Alumni Association Board Member
Diversity and Inclusion Resource Specialist
The National Institutes of Health Washington, DC
I want to proactively invest in the Gillings’ community by directly connecting with the next generation of students and alumni.
How and why I support or give back to the Gillings School:
I sustainably give back through my time, talent, treasure and testimony. Gillings has immensely invested in my professional development and has opened countless opportunities in my career.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
Gillings equipped me with innovative tools and superior competencies to elevate my federal public health career.
I’m originally from:
Richmond, Virginia
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
Teaching HIV education in Lesotho as a Peace Corps Volunteer
Timothy Wade Okabayashi, BSPH 1999 (ESE)
Alumni Association Board Member (through June 2024)
Consulting Manager, SLB End-to-end Emissions Solutions
Tim Okabayashi is a Well Construction Analyst with Schlumberger, a global oilfield services company, working within the Digital and Integrated Systems team based in Cambridge, United Kingdom. His work focuses on applying domain knowledge to identify early stage value proposition of research projects and deliver digital solutions to the organization, focusing on well construction services and new energy projects. Previously, he worked as an environmental and industrial hygiene consultant to various industrial, specialty chemical manufacturing, and commercial transportation companies. Tim received a BSPH in 1999 (ESE) from UNC-Chapel Hill and a MBA i 2005 from Rice University. He also sits on the Rice Business Alumni Association Board.
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
I am excited to join the board to represent and engage with Gillings alumni living outside the U.S. as well as to further enrich my connection the faculty, alumni, and current students.
How and why I support or give back to the Gillings School:
I support the Gillings School through serving on the alumni board. Additionally, I provide financial support to the ESE program as means to support the program that provided me with strong academic foundation. I look forward to engaging with the broad programming offered by the school.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
Some twenty plus years after graduating from the ESE program, I am witnessing a renewed interest in Environmental, Social, and Governance issues in the heavy industrial sectors. I am fortunate to have built a career based on these learning that were delivered through an analytical, multi-disciplinary, and science-based program at the Gillings School.
I’m originally from:
I am originally from Houston, Texas. After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill, I worked in the environmental consulting industry in Atlanta, Georgia. Eventually, i moved home to pursue my MBA at Rice University in Houston. In recent years, my family and I have relocated to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and now England for work.
The best advice I’ve ever received:
Don’t underestimate the power of empathy to improve your ability to be a leader, manager, and teammate.
To start a conversation with me:
Just say, “Howdy.”
Something most people may not know about me:
I was fortunate to be a walk-on for the Tar Heel men’s varsity lacrosse team in 1997.
Krishna Patel, BSPH 2013 (NUTR)
Alumni Association Board Member
Lead Survey & Research Analyst, NACCHO
Krishna Patel is a Lead Survey and Research Analyst at the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). She received her BSPH from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 2013, MPH from the University of California, Berkeley in 2015, and DrPH from George Washington University in 2022. Previously, Krishna worked at the San Francisco Department of Public Health in community engagement, policy and legislation, and comprehensive planning to advance health at the local level. Her experiences in public health are diverse and span many topics such as domestic violence prevention, healthcare access, culturally responsive healthcare and female genital mutilation/cutting. She is passionate about applied and collaborative research and practice that strive to advance public health and equity in communities. Krishna lives in Washington DC, enjoys baking and cooking, and has an adorable orange tabby cat named Gatsby.
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
I hope to be a resource for students and alumni to feel connected to the school and to each other in the Washington DC area. It is a wonderful opportunity to build and foster the alumni community here, especially being away from the Chapel Hill area.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
I started my public health journey at the Gillings School, when I was still unsure of the path I wanted to take for my career. My BSPH degree helped solidify a foundation and passion for working towards advancing health and equity in communities. I also made incredible friends and life-long memories during my time at Gillings School.
I’m originally from:
I was born and raised in eastern North Carolina, spent a number of years out in the San Francisco Bay Area, and then moved to Washington DC where I live now.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
I recently completed my DrPH degree in the midst of covid. It was a challenging but rewarding experience to finally finish and defend my dissertation.
Ashley Phillips, MPH 2017 (HB)
Alumni Association Board Member
Director of Operations, GEMINI Research Center, Duke University
Ashley Phillips is the Director of Operations for the Global Emergency Medicine Innovation and Implementation (GEMINI) Research Center at the Duke University School of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine. She manages administrative and logistical management, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning for the center, which comprises an international, multidisciplinary team of research faculty, staff, and students.
Ashley earned her MPH from the UNC-Chapel Hill in 2017, and a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion from the University of Georgia in 2012.
In her free time, Ashley enjoys playing board games, running, performing stand-up comedy, and exploring local parks and museums with her husband and young daughter.
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
To maintain connection with alumni, faculty, staff, and current students. I enjoy bringing people together to share experiences, build networks, and have a little fun!
How and why I support or give back to the Gillings School: I serve as the Health Behavior Department Chapter Co-Leader. Our chapter hosts events to build community and provide mutual benefit to the alumni, faculty, staff, and students.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
My time at Gillings introduced me to my dearest friends, exposed me to a breadth of potential career paths, and provided me with the skills and connections to further my career in public health.
I’m originally from:
Savannah, Georgia, a beautiful destination, so long as you avoid the sticky months of June-September.
The best advice I’ve ever received: My favorite advice comes from a Howard Thurman quote: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
To start a conversation with me: Ask me about my favorite Cook Out milkshake flavor, tell me how you ended up living where you are now, or your theories about the cut-to-black ending of The Sopranos.
Natalie Rotelli, BSPH 1999 (BIOS), MPH 2003 (BIOS)
Alumni Association Board Member (through June 2024)
Advisor/Director: Diversity in Clinical Trials
Eli Lilly and Co.
Indianapolis, IN
Natalie is the director of Diversity in Clinical Trials at Eli Lilly and Company- a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical company in Indianapolis, IN. She is creating and implementing the strategy to increase minority participation and work with minority trial investigators in order to better serve under-represented populations and ensure their medicines work for all people. Previous, Natalie worked for years as a computation statistician at Lilly, providing statistical analysis for several compounds and innovative initiatives at Lilly. Previous to that, Natalie had worked at a non-profit, CRO, and at UNC.
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
Gillings has given me so much. Beyond the high standard of education, I was brought into a school that had a higher calling of public health for all people. I have taken that attitude into all I that I do, knowing that whatever job or work assignment in in front of me, there is always a higher calling and larger societal objective. By serving on the Gillings School Alumni Asso. Board, I am able to give back to Gillings, and bring back what I have seen in the world and perpetuate the cycle of answering a larger need.
How and why I support or give back to the Gillings School:
I support the Gillings school through donations, staying in touch with current events at Gillings, promoting what I hear to those around me (mentees and colleagues), and serving as a UNC ambassador at UNC in the stats department.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
Few people can say they are using what they learned at university in their future jobs and careers. However, I am able to do so. I was able to land several jobs in different areas because of my Masters degree from such a prestigious school. I worked as a Biostatistician at FHI while in North Carolina, providing analysis and helping design several global trials to curb the spread of sexually transmitted infections. I then used my computational skills learned at UNC in my statistical role at Lilly for several clinical trials (including Trulicity) and as a statistician in their Statistical Innovation Center. My current role- Director of Diversity in Clinical Trials- has a data aspect where I am able to use my statistical background to wear many hats. I have also held several leadership positions within the American Statistical Association.
My favorite thing about the Gillings School:
I love the campus and learning about other disciplines within the SPH other than BIOS.
I loved how small my graduating class was, and how close I was with other students.
I love that the MPH degree required taking classes in other disciplines, giving me a more well-rounded point of view as a statistician.
I’m originally from:
Jamestown, NC
Small town in North Carolina.
My parents are first-generation and hail from Hong Kong and Mainland China.
We were one of very few Asian families, so it was an interesting time growing up in small town America.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
Raising children in a healthy, happy blended family, and taking care of my body with sleep, water, exercise, and making yummy food.
The best advice I’ve ever received:
You can have it all, but not all at the same time. Women should not feel they have to ‘do it all’.
To start a conversation with me:
You can just look at me, I am ready to chat!
Something most people may not know about me:
I have written a chapter in a published book, Listen to Your Mother.
Raquel Silva
Lead Health Scientist
ICF
Briana Joy Kennedy Stephenson, PhD 2017 (BIOS)
Alumni Association Board Member (through June 2025)
Assistant Professor of Biostatics,
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Boston, MA
Briana Stephenson is an Assistant Professor of Biostatistics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her work focuses on Bayesian model-based clustering and dimension reduction techniques of high-dimensional data with applications in nutrition, cardiovascular disease epidemiology, and health disparities. She received a BS in Mathematics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an MPH from the George Washington University, and a PhD in Biostatistics from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
To continue to foster connections and build the network for students, alumni and faculty at Gillings.
How I support or give back to the Gillings School:
The connections I made with alumni and the educational experience I was provided as a student at Gillings have helped shape and develop my career. I support and give back to help the next generation of Gillings students and alumni community benefit in some of the same opportunities I had, if not more.
I’m originally from:
I am originally from Maryland, but have lived up and down the east coast (DC, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire).
The best advice I’ve ever received:
The best advice I received was in college, “work smarter, not harder”. It helped me better manage my time and learn how to accomplish tasks more efficiently.
Something most people may not know about me:
I am an avid knitter and crocheter.
Michelle Sonia, MSPH 2009 (HPM)
Boston Alumni Chapter Leader (through June 2023)
Senior Manager
ECG Management Consultants
Weymouth, MA
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board because it is a way for me to stay connected to the Gillings School of Global Public Health now that I no longer live in the area. It gives me an opportunity to visit Chapel Hill regularly and to interact with fellow alumni who are equally enthusiastic about their time at the Gillings School, which I truly enjoy.
How I support or give back to the Gillings School:
I support the Gillings School through my participation on the Alumni Association Board as well as in my role as the Boston Chapter President. I enjoy being able to connect with local alumni and get to know the students who are in our area for internships or recent graduates who are starting new jobs. I also continue to interact with and serve as a mentor to current students from my department (health policy management) in supporting the CASE student teams and doing informational interviews for students interested in a career in consulting.
My favorite thing about the Gillings School:
My favorite thing about the Gillings School is the sense of community and the way in which faculty and students are able to forge relationships that can be fostered beyond their formal years in the degree program. The faculty members teach technical skills, but they also teach students how to think critically and creatively in order to be prepared to solve public health challenges of the future.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
My UNC public health education provided me with the foundation I needed to begin my career in health care. The professors were – and continue to be – very engaged and genuinely interested in my success, and that has allowed me to grow personally and professionally. My classmates – and now fellow alumni – are an ever-growing network of talented and bright professionals from whom I can continue to learn as I advance in my career.
I’m originally from:
I’m originally from southeastern Massachusetts and returned to the Boston area after completing my degree at the Gillings School and a fellowship at UNC Health Care. I am married and have two young sons, both of whom we are teaching to root for the Tar Heels.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
My proudest professional accomplishment was my advancement to senior manager at ECG. This required extremely hard work to ensure I had the skills necessary to successfully lead and develop teams and manage a variety of consulting projects.
Something most people may not know about me:
Even though I am afraid of heights, I have gone hang gliding over the ocean in Brazil.
Jessica Bell van der Wal, BSPH 2006 (HPM)
Alumni Association Board Member (through June 2022)
Founder and Partner
vdB Consulting, LLC
San Francisco, CA
Why I serve on the Gillings School Alumni Association Board:
I serve on the Board to actively contribute to the School and program that has provided me with so much and to learn and grow from working with others as part of this great alumni community.
How I support or give back to the Gillings School:
I actively participate in school events and offer myself as a resource and advisor to prospective/current students and alumni if they need it. As an expert in early stage digital health companies, I am eager to advance the efforts of passionate individuals hoping to support public health through technology and innovation.
How my UNC public health education and degree impacted my life and career:
While I was an undergraduate at UNC, I chose public health as a major because I didn’t want to take any more science courses. I was in the pre-med track, so I had my fair share of chemistry, physics and other similar classes, and I wanted to take courses that would complement these. The BSPH program changed my direction and helped me see how I could support public health from another angle: business.
My favorite thing about the Gillings School:
The Gillings School always welcomes you with open arms. Whether you just moved to the area or are regularly in touch with the School, the alumni, staff, and Board members are there to answer your questions and support you in any way.
I’m originally from:
I grew up in Charlotte always loving the Tar Heels, but I only recently moved back to North Carolina after living in several locations across the United States, including Washington, D.C., Boston, Portland and San Francisco. I could not be more excited to be back in my home state and closer to the Gillings School.
An accomplishment I’m proud of:
I love change and embrace chaos. As a result, I have led teams across almost every function in a business (e.g., marketing, operations, product). In this next phase, I started a business with my husband and am eager to build something on my own from the ground up.
something most people don’t know about me:
I’m a thrill seeker! My family would probably tell you not to dare me to do anything. I have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and recently traveled to Nepal to do a three-week trek through the Himalayas, ending at the base of Mount Everest. That may be as far as I go there!
Alumni Association Past Chairs
Years Served | Name & Degrees | Departments & Years |
1974 – 1975 | William A. Darity, PhD | HB, 1964 |
1976 – 1977 | Richard H. House, MPH | HPM, 1969 |
1977 – 1978 | Jacob Koomen, Jr., MD, MPH | HPM, 1957 |
1978 – 1979 | Howard C. Barnhill, MS | HB, 1957 |
1979 – 1980 | Emily T. Tyler, MPH | HB, 1967 |
1980 – 1981 | Dorothy Hays Donnelly, MPH | PHNU, 1966 |
1981 – 1982 | Joan C. Huntley, MPH, PhD | BIOS, 1963; EPID, 1970 |
1982 – 1983 | W. Kenneth Poole, MPH | BIOS, 1963 |
1983 – 1984 | Linda W. Little, MSPH, PhD | ENVR, 1962, 1968 |
1984 – 1985 | Craig D. Turnbull, MPH, PhD | BIOS, 1965, 1971 |
1985 – 1986 | Donald D. Lisnerski, MSPH, DrPH | HPM, 1969, 1974 |
1986 – 1987 | Delton Atkinson, MSPH, MSPH | HPM, 1976; BIOS, 1979 |
1987 – 1988 | Myrna Aavedal, MPH, PhD | BIOS, 1976; EPID, 1982 |
1988 – 1989 | Patricia O’Leary Cunningham, MPH | MCH, 1979 |
1989 – 1990 | Sally Herndon Malek, MPH | HB, 1980 |
1990 – 1991 | Priscilla A. Guild, MSPH | BIOS, 1971 |
1991 – 1992 | John C. Stoner, MSPH, MPH | HPM, 1964; HB, 1970 |
1992 – 1993 | Daniel B. Reimer, MPH | HPM, 1974 |
1993 – 1994 | James A. Jones, MPH | MCH, 1977 |
1994 – 1995 | Elizabeth B. Andrews, MPH, PhD | HPM, 1977; EPID 1990 |
1995 – 1996 | John E. Paul, MSPH, PhD | HPM, 1980, 1983 |
1996 – 1997 | Susan Cohen Gower, MSPH | HPM, 1985 |
1997 – 1998 | Alice D. White, MSPH, PhD | EPID, 1985, 1987 |
1998 – 1999 | Meg Binnie Molloy, MPH, DrPH | NUTR, 1985; HPM, 1996 |
1999 – 2000 | Morgan U. Tackett, MHA | HPM, 1991 |
2000 – 2001 | Timothy D. N. King, MSPH | EPID, 1996 |
2001 – 2002 | Rebecca King, DDS, MPH | HPM, 1987 |
2002 – 2003 | Anna Pittman Schenck, MPH, PhD | HB, 1983; EPID 1997 |
2003 – 2004 | Kourtney J. Davis, MSPH, PhD | EPID, 1995, 1997 |
2005 – 2006 | Donna G. King, MPH | PHLP, 2000 |
2007 – 2008 | Shelley D. Golden, MPH | HB, 1999 |
2008 – 2010 | Jacky Rosati Rowe, MA, PhD | ENVR, 2002 |
2010 – 2012 | Joseph F. John, MHA | HPM, 2005 |
2012 – 2014 | Priscilla A. Guild, MSPH | BIOS, 1971 |
2014 – 2016 | Amy L. Lansky, MPH, PhD | HB, 1991, 1996 |
2016 – 2016 | Eric S. Money, MS, PhD | ESE, 2003, 2009 |
2016 – 2020 | Todd A. Jones, BSPH | HPM, 1993 |
2020 – 2022 | Joanna Conley, BSPH, HPM | BSPH, 2003 |
2022 – 2024 | Kristin Black, MPH, PhD | MPH, 2011, PhD, 2016 |
*Page last updated August 19, 2024.