Jamila M. Porter, DrPH, MPH is the Chief of Staff at the de Beaumont Foundation. She serves as strategic advisor to the President & CEO, works across teams to drive results throughout the Foundation, and ensures that equity and justice are organizational priorities. Jamila is also the Principal Investigator of Modernized Anti-Racist Data Ecosystems (MADE) for Health Justice – an initiative accelerating the development of health-focused local data ecosystems that center principles of anti-racism, equity, justice, and community power.

An award-winning researcher and experienced executive, Jamila’s work focuses on transforming the interconnected social, environmental, and power structures that impact health. She is an outspoken leader and public speaker on a range of issues, including the social determinants of equity, transportation justice, multi-sector collaboration, policy evaluation, community power-building, and public health practice. She has published articles in a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including the American Journal of Public Health, Health Equity, Journal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation, Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, and Journal of Transport and Land Use. 

Previously, Jamila was Director of Resilient Communities with the Big Cities Health Coalition (BCHC). There, she led BCHC’s efforts to build healthy, resilient, and vibrant communities across our nation’s largest cities by utilizing her expertise in racial justice, violence prevention, and policy. Prior to joining BCHC, Jamila was Director of Programs and Evaluation at the Safe States Alliance, a national professional association dedicated to strengthening the practice of injury and violence prevention. At the Safe States Alliance, she led the association’s program, policy, and evaluation initiatives, including providing technical assistance and training to multi-sector organizations and practitioners at local, state, and national levels. Jamila has also previously worked in the consulting and international development sectors.

Jamila earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Health Policy and Administration from Wake Forest University. She earned her Master of Public Health degree from Mercer University School of Medicine and her Doctor of Public Health degree from the University of Georgia College of Public Health.