The de Beaumont Foundation today announced the formation of its new Workforce Advisory Council, a diverse group of public health leaders dedicated to addressing the challenges facing the public health workforce. The council includes experts in workforce development, policy, training, and advocacy, representing state and local health departments across the country. By sharing their expertise and perspectives, these members will help advise de Beaumont’s efforts to effectively address the needs of public health professionals and the communities they serve.
The Workforce Advisory Council members are:
Top row from left to right: Usha Ranganathan, Ali Abazeed, Dipika Khushalani, Jill Parker, Kaila Thompson. Middle row: Brayan Preciado, Erin Sorenson, Adaora Otiji, Katherine L. Cain, Autumn Watson. Bottom row: Megan Avallone, Kelly Keenan, Kristi James, Jamie Means, Lily McClure.
Usha Ranganathan
Usha Ranganathan is a public health professional with extensive experience in workforce development and quality improvement. As a Quality Improvement Trainer at the Alameda County Public Health Department, she has led initiatives like the ‘Quality Improvement 101 Training Series’ and the ‘Executive Coaching Program’ to strengthen organizational capacity and equip staff with essential skills. Usha brings her expertise to support initiatives that enhance recruitment, retention, and professional growth in the public health workforce.
Ali Abazeed
Ali Abazeed is the Chief Public Health Officer for the City of Dearborn, Michigan, and the Founding Director of the Dearborn Department of Public Health (DPH). Under his leadership, DPH became Michigan’s second city health department, adopting a health-in-all-policies approach to improve public health outcomes. Ali brings extensive experience in health equity, policy development, and public health systems to advance the public health workforce.
Dipika Khushalani
Dipika Khushalani, MBBS, MPH, is the Manager of Public Health Programs at the Stamford Department of Health and Human Services in Connecticut. With a focus on strengthening public health infrastructure, she is dedicated to addressing challenges such as employee engagement, recruitment, training, and capacity building. Dipika brings a collaborative approach and a commitment to developing sustainable solutions to support the evolving needs of the public health workforce.
Jill Parker
Jill Parker is the Executive Director of the Utah Association of Local Health Departments and the Utah Association of Local Boards of Health, where she supports Utah’s 13 local health departments and advocates for the essential role of public health. With over 25 years of experience, Jill has worked on issues ranging from COVID-19 to air and water quality, while also providing training on communication, prevention, and using social media to share public health messages. Jill brings extensive expertise in public health policy, health messaging, and capacity building to advance the field.
Kaila Thompson
Kaila Thompson, MPH, MEP, CPH, CHWI, is the Director of Communications, Education and Engagement, at Fort Bend County Health and Human Services with 15 years of experience in communications, emergency preparedness, workforce development, and community engagement. Passionate about public policy and the social determinants of health, she is dedicated to advancing public health through advocacy, education, and media. Kaila brings a wealth of expertise in training and workforce development to support the next generation of public health professionals.
Brayan Preciado
Brayan Preciado, MPH(c), is a Health Education Specialist at Madera County Department of Public Health, where he leads workforce development initiatives and supports public health accreditation efforts. His experience spans workforce training, community partnerships, and performance management aimed at building a skilled, resilient workforce in California’s Central Valley. Brayan contributes his on-the-ground expertise to enhance workforce capacity and inclusivity in public health.
Erin Sorenson
Erin Sorenson is the Human Resource Coordinator at Panhandle Public Health District, with over 10 years of experience in workforce development, employee engagement, and policy implementation. She is passionate about fostering a positive work environment and has actively contributed to the Workforce Development plan as part of the accreditation and reaccreditation process, showing her commitment to continuous organizational improvement and excellence.
Adaora Otiji
Adaora Otiji, Ed.D., CPTD, ADC, is the Chief Learning Officer at the DC Department of Health, where she leads a team focused on workforce development and organizational leadership. With a background in talent development and workforce equity, Otiji designs and implements training programs that foster a high-performing and inclusive workforce.
Katherine L. Cain
Katherine L. Cain is the Director of the Bureau of Planning and Performance at the Louisiana Department of Health, where she leads initiatives to improve public health infrastructure and workforce development. She has extensive experience in public health quality improvement, performance management, and accreditation.
Autumn Watson
Autumn Watson, MPH, REHS, is the Public Health Organizational Development Director for Mecklenburg County Public Health, where she leads workforce development efforts, including programmatic focus on building and sustaining the public health workforce. Her diverse experience in public health, including strategic planning and federal grants management, will inform her role on the Workforce Advisory Council. Autumn is committed to advancing the public health workforce through development and sustainability initiatives.
Megan Avallone
Megan Avallone is the Director of the Westfield Regional Health Department — the first woman to hold the position when she was appointed in 2008 — where she leads public health services for eight communities. With experience in nursing, environmental health, and public health leadership, Megan focuses on workforce development and health initiatives.
Kelly Keenan
Kelly Keenan, MPH, is the Director of Prevention Services at the Gallatin City-County Health Department, where she oversees chronic disease prevention, maternal-child health, and health equity programs. With over 15years of experience in public health, Kelly brings expertise in workforce development, training, and management to her role on the Workforce Advisory Council.
Kristi James
Kristi James, DrPH(c), MPH, CHES, has worked as a Public Health Practitioner for over 10 years, with experience in local and state government agencies. Her expertise in translating data into actionable narratives and creating culturally relevant health curricula offers valuable insight for the Workforce Advisory Council. Kristi applies her insights into workforce and policy development to advocate for systems-level change and improved health outcomes.
Jamie Means
Jamie Means,MPH, SHRM-CP, is the Workforce Development Director at the Metro Public Health Department of Nashville, where she leads training, workforce development, and equity-focused initiatives. With experience in curriculum development and health workforce rebuilding, Jamie works to enhance public health workforce effectiveness.
Lily McClure
Lily McClure is the Workforce Director at the Texas Department of State Health Services, where she leads workforce strategy and innovation, focusing on recruitment, retention, and enablement. She brings expertise in talent development from the consulting and public sectors, particularly in strengthening the health workforce through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant. Lily applies her strategic vision to help shape initiatives that support the growth and sustainability of the public health workforce.
