Katrina Forrest, an experienced leader in government relations, advocacy, and community partnerships, has been hired as the National Director of Partnerships for CityHealth. An initiative of the de Beaumont Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, CityHealth works to improve community health through policies that improve people’s day-to-day quality of life, well-being, and health.
“We are thrilled to have Katrina join the de Beaumont and CityHealth team,” said Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, MA, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation. “CityHealth is all about partnerships — with local and national organizations and leaders — and Katrina will help us improve even more communities through smart policies that promote health.”
“Katrina is a really strong addition to the CityHealth team, with her hands-on experience in city policymaking, and a sharp legal mind,” said Shelley Hearne, DrPH, President of CityHealth. “I am extremely excited to welcome Katrina, who will help catalyze city, community and business leaders to create healthier opportunities for everyone living, working, and playing in America’s metropolitan areas.”
Katrina will manage relationships with the 40 cities that participate in CityHealth and will work closely with policymakers, community leaders, advocates, funders, and others.
Before joining CityHealth, Katrina served as both Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for At-Large D.C. Councilmember David Grosso. In that role, she co-managed a team of 10 and drafted more than 40 pieces of original legislation. She was responsible for leveraging community relationships to drive the Councilmember’s legislative agenda and policy priorities, as well as representing the Councilmember before government agencies, community partners, advocates, and individuals. Before her work in local and state government, Katrina served as a Compliance Manager with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC). There, she provided technical assistance to NCRC’s members in urban, suburban, and rural communities to promote economic mobility—advancing fair lending and fair housing practices through educational training, building partnerships in communities, and bringing private enforcement actions. Katrina earned her bachelor’s degree in administration of justice from George Mason University and her law degree from The John Marshall Law School-Chicago.
