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Anchored by her experiences as a formerly uninsured patient and guided by purpose, Qiana draws from over twenty-five years of leadership at the intersections of health and behavioral healthcare, corporate healthcare payment, health policy, and health philanthropy. This aerial command of the political, private market, and social factors that shape health uniquely positions Qiana to impact the health and socioeconomic prosperity of communities.
Her “self to systems” leadership practice, her commitment to organizational care and accountability, and her practice of centering people and relationships in leading change and managing transitions makes her a trusted guide in ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of the organizations and movements which support communities.
As president/CEO of Health Forward Foundation, Qiana guides the $1B foundation in stewarding a myriad of capital investments, leadership in public policy, and institutional social capital that fosters health and economic inclusion throughout the bi-state region of Kansas City. Qiana’s transformational leadership has positioned Health Forward as a national model for health equity through proximate and trust-based public, private, and philanthropic partnerships, spanning resident and faith leaders, grassroots to large non-profits, Chambers of Commerce and business councils, and municipal and state government.
Qiana’s leadership in governance and civic spheres spans global, national, and regional levels. Nationally, Qiana is a board member of Grantmakers in Health, the National Association of State Health Policy, and the National Rural Health Resource Center. Regionally, Qiana is as a board member of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and William Jewell College. She is a member of the International Women’s Forum, a global organization of preeminent leaders and Women Who Mean Business – Kansas City.
Qiana’s leadership is recognized and celebrated broadly. She was one of two Kansas City women recognized by the national Business Journal’s BizWomen’s 2022 inaugural listing of women making an impact in their local business communities. Qiana was also honored by the Urban League of Greater Kansas City with its 2024 “Difference Maker” award, Kansas City University (the nation’s 6th largest medical school) with an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters, and by Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey with its 2022 Race, Place, and Diversity award. Her recognitions also include but are not limited to Ingram’s Magazine Women Executives (2021) Ingram’s Magazine “40 Under Forty” (2013).
