Health Forward celebrates the graduates of the 2016 Healthy Communities Leadership Academy

Kansas City, MO –  The Health Forward Foundation (Health Forward) recently held a graduation ceremony to recognize the completion of the 2016 class of the Healthy Communities Leadership Academy.

Health Forward’s Leadership Academy helps develop a critical mass of change agents, local expertise and field capacity to effect policy and community environment changes that result in improved health choices for the underserved.  

The participants in the 2016 Leadership Academy include:

• D. Jensen Adams, Kansas City Public Schools
• Emily Brown, Food Equality Initiative, Inc.
• Jennifer Bryan, Better Together, Inc.
• Theo Bunch, Cornerstones of Care
• Cindy Calender, Kansas City Missouri Health Department
• Abby Crow, Johnson County Dept. of Health and Environment
• Christina Esteban, Harvesters
• Crystal Everett, 20/20 Leadership
• Rebecca Garza, Unified Government of Wyandotte County
• Beau Heyen, Episcopal Community Services 
• Rachel Jefferson, Historic Northeast-Midtown Association
• Joseph Lightner, Kansas City Missouri Health Department
• Christi Nance, Jackson County Health Department
• Neil Rudisill, Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council 
• Trenton Stringer, Saint Luke’s Health System

These graduates completed a yearlong program that included four workshops, six small group sessions and seven individual coaching sessions. 

“We are committed to building a network of change agents who inspire creativity and innovation in their communities as we work together to make healthy habits the norm,” said Adriana Pecina, Health Forward Program Officer.

Participants deepen their knowledge, understanding, and practice in three competency areas:

• Civic Leadership
• Healthy Communities Policy and System Change
• Community Collaboration

​Health Forward is currently accepting applications for the 2017 Healthy Communities Leadership Academy.

“Although the focus of this academy is on the individual, participants are expected to bring what they learn back to their organization and community,” said Brenda Calvin, Health Forward Program Officer. “We are so proud of these individuals and look forward to seeing their work throughout the years to come.”

Contact: Jennifer Sykes
Phone: 816-241-7006