Work, Impact + What Others Say
Learn more about my work.
A curated view of my work across narrative infrastructure, public health systems, philanthropy, and community power-building — alongside reflections from colleagues and partners.
What partners and colleagues say
Narrative impact
“Angela's work with Narratives has honestly changed how I think about things in grants management and operations. I find myself questioning assumptions more and thinking about the stories behind the work in a different way.”
— Tricia B., Program Manager
Visionary leadership
“Angela excels in visionary leadership. She consistently considers what is possible and leads her team to think big and outside the box.”
— Colleague feedback
Relational leadership
“She is a calm and steady presence in uncertain times and consistently finds a path forward in partnership.”
— Team member feedback
Equity + influence
“Angela is inclusive, transparent, and deeply committed to equity and justice. She brings people together and leads with both vision and humility.”
— Team member feedback
Trusted leadership
“Angela is a strong leader and people are eager to follow her lead and collaborate.”
— Team member feedback
Collaborators
Over the course of my career, I have had the privilege of working alongside organizations at the forefront of narrative change, health equity, and/or community power — from national research institutions and philanthropic foundations to grassroots networks and media strategy firms. As the lead for Narratives for Health, a national project co-led by County Health Rankings and Roadmaps and Health in Partnership, I aligned relationships, vision and sub-contracts. The work is primarily funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with some previous funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are some organizations that I partnered with over the last few years.
Berkeley Media Studies Group
Burness
FrameWorks Institute
Health in Partnership
Healthy Places by Design
Narrative Initiative
National Association for City and County Health Officials
National Organization of State Offices for Rural Health
NeighborWorks
Population Health Improvement Partners
Praxis Project
Public Health Awakened
Community health worker networks
Organizing groups
Local community development organizations
Local and state health departments
Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
Selected experience
University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute
Narrative Infrastructure Team Lead · Project Director, Narratives for Health (2019–Present)
What started as a pilot became one of the most expansive narrative infrastructure initiatives in public health. Alongside many partners, I architected Narratives for Health from the ground up — adapting and building frameworks, training systems, case libraries, learning networks, and resources that didn't exist before. Beginning in 2021, the initiative grew to reach 3,000+ practitioners and 500+ organizations across the U.S. and tribal lands, embedding equity-centered narrative strategy into how public health systems communicate, plan, and make decisions at every level. I also directed a $1M+ national portfolio with eight sub-awards. stewarded 49 state teams and a $125K implementation fund program, and founded an internal Narrative Think Tank to carry the work into organizational practice across the institute. I managed an internal team focused on narrative change and evaluation, webinar production, and external partnerships.
3,000+ practitioners reached 500+ organizations 49 state teams U.S. + tribal lands $1M+ portfolio $125K implementation fund
60+ narrative case examples
Governor's Foundation for Health and Wellness
Healthier Tennessee Neighborhood Director (2018–2019)
Directed a place-based health promotion and recognition program across eight Memphis neighborhoods, including neighborhoods that had been historically divested. Provided technical assistance for health and wellness programs and collaboration. Shifted narratives from individual behaviors to systems change and integrated this shift into a statewide framework and recognition process. Communities leveraged recognition into infrastructure and increased funding — turning visibility into lasting power.
Shelby County Health Department
Community Health Planner · Interim Public Information Officer (2014–2018)
Led cross-sector coalitions spanning public health, education, and justice — engaging 2,000 residents and 150 organizations. Directed crisis communications during measles and opioid emergencies. Outcomes included millions in new funding, new public health campaigns, and two permanent new roles within the department.
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Research Data Analyst (2011–2018)
Led data analysis for a multidisciplinary cognitive research team, integrating biological, social, and environmental data across a large-scale longitudinal study on early childhood development.
Boards, coalitions + field leadership (selected)
Across public health, philanthropy, academia, and government, my work has focused on connecting relationships, resources, narrative, and systems to shift power to accelerate health equity and racial justice. I specialize in translating vision into strategy — and aligning institutions and communities around shared action, trust, and long-term impact.
National narrative lab
Race Forward Weavers Lab for Solidarity Narratives — 2025–Present
Community power
Praxis Project Learning Circle — 2025
Community power
Public Health for Community Power Coalition — 2024–Present
Institution building
University of Population Health Institute Narrative Think Tank — Founder, 2024–2025
Narrative work group
Care + Health Equity Narrative Working Group — 2024–Present
Previous community leadership
Shelby County Health Equity Collective — Co-founder
United Way Midsouth — Grant Review Volunteer
American Heart Association Memphis Health Equity Committee
Food Advisory Council Executive Board
Lamplighter Montessori Parent-Teacher Association, Treasurer and Founding Leadership Team