The Equity-Grounded Leadership Fellow Program project advisors support subgroups of Fellows by advising on their collaborative learning projects. Advisors bring diverse backgrounds, professional experiences, and systems-level expertise. They graciously support Fellows in the development and implementation of projects designed to advance equity and anti-racism in their organizations, communities, or regions.
Adele James, MA
Cohorts advised: 2023-2024
Principal and Founder, Adele James Consulting Inc.
As a health and equity consultant, Adèle James has more than 20-years’ experience in the public, non-profit and philanthropic sectors. She has managed over $180 million in programs and funding for communities throughout California including as a grant making officer with three California based foundations.
David Auzenne, MPH
Cohorts advised: 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025
Vice President of Health Equity, The Hackett Center for Mental Health, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
Mr. Auzenne has nearly 20 years of experience designing, implementing, and evaluating public health programs. David has served in leadership roles at the local and state level leading infectious disease prevention, community health, health promotion, chronic disease prevention, and health equity initiatives.
DeAngelo Mack
Cohorts advised: 2023-2024
Director of Equity Justice, Public Health Advocates; Senior Advisor, The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention
DeAngelo Mack is a leader in community-based solutions that improve the overall health outcomes of those most marginalized. For over two decades he has worked tirelessly to illuminate the disproportionate disparities experienced by communities of color.
Marcy Melvin, MA, LPC
Cohorts advised: 2023-2024
Senior Vice President of Clinical Policy and Deputy Director, The Hackett Center for Mental Health, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
Marcy Melvin is a pivotal executive with over 25 years of experience in behavioral health policy, training, and clinical practice. Marcy is extremely passionate about advancing health equity and reducing disparities and disproportionality this has been a culmination of her life’s work in various clinical, organizational and systems settings.
Shannon Scott
Cohorts advised: 2023-2024
Founder, Our Lived Experience and J8 Consulting
Shannon advises on the operations and infrastructure for Our Lived Experience, while also focusing on her passion of creating thriving teaching and learning communities with the Lived Experience Experts. For the last six years, she’s run a national leadership development Fellowship in child welfare, working in 15 different states, DC, and Puerto Rico.
Yumiko Dougherty, MPP
Cohorts advised: 2022-2023
Director of Strategy, Planning and Engagement, Colorado Behavioral Health Administration
Yumiko Dougherty is the Director of Strategy, Planning and Engagement for Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). Prior to joining the BHA, Yumiko worked with the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), where she was the strategy lead for several cross-sector, mission-critical pieces of work, including child welfare reform and homelessness response.
Larissa J. Estes-White, DrPH
Cohorts advised: 2022-2023
Executive Director, ALL IN Alameda County
Ms. Estes-White has over 20 years of experience in allied health, healthcare, and public health with a focus on community and equity. Throughout her career she has served as a key author of several publications on women’s health, accountable communities for health, medical high utilization, and mental health and wellbeing.
Marquita C. Williams, PhD
Cohorts advised: 2022-2023
Senior Executive Advisor to the Commissioner, Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health & Intellectual Disability Services
Ms. Williams is the Senior Executive Advisor to the Commissioner at the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services. She works to engage and ensure equitable access to quality behavioral health services for Philadelphia’s Medicaid population.
Koby Rodriguez
Cohorts advised: 2023-2024, 2024-2025
Chief Program Officer, Sacramento LGBT Community Center
Koby Rodríguez (he/him/his) is a seasoned non-profit executive and strategist with a deep-rooted commitment to justice, equity, community, and inclusion. With a no-frills philosophy, he excels in crafting community-driven services, programs, and change.