UC Berkeley School of Public Health welcomes second cohort of impact fellows
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The UC Berkeley School of Public Health is pleased to announce the second cohort of Impact Fellows. Building on the successes of the first year of the fellowship program, this distinguished group of 10 public health leaders will launch impactful projects and share their expertise and vision with our community of students and scholars during the 2025–2026 academic year.
The Impact Fellows program is grounded in our belief that universities exist to create positive change in the world and do so by bridging from knowledge to action.
This year’s cohort includes an exceptional group of changemakers:
- Brian Anderson, president and CEO of the Coalition for Health AI, is committed to using AI to foster health and thriving.
- Tomás Aragón, former director of the California Department of Public Health, is dedicated to improving public health strategic decision-making in the face of increasing uncertainty, adversity, and budgetary constraints.
- Jacey Cooper, former director of state demonstrations at the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) and of the California Medicaid program, seeks to reduce physician and patient burden through smarter policies.
- Joseph Griffin, executive director of Youth Alive, is committed to interrupting gun violence through campus and community partnerships.
- Rebecca (Becky) Messing Haigler, strategic advisor at Healthsperien, is interested in building new outcomes-based financing models for mental health.
- Neal Halfon, director of the UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families & Communities, is committed to building a new mindset, mentality, and cultural narrative for thriving people, places, and the planet.
- Rishi Manchanda, CEO of HealthBegins, will focus on strengthening the financial case for health equity investments.
- Sarita A. Mohanty, president and CEO of The SCAN Foundation, will explore how health-focused philanthropies can harness capital and partnerships, including social impact investing, to scale equitable solutions for aging and health.
- Nikita Singareddy, CEO of Fortuna Health, will give students tools and experiences to become policy and startup entrepreneurs.
- Matt Willis, former health officer for Marin County, will develop new methods for public health leaders to listen to the communities they serve.
Claudia Williams, chief social impact officer at UC Berkeley School of Public Health, expressed her enthusiasm for the new cohort, stating, “We are honored to welcome these visionary leaders to our community. Their expertise and dedication will be invaluable in shaping the future of public health at this critical time for our field.”
The Impact Fellows will collaborate with faculty, students, and partners throughout the year, developing innovative solutions to pressing health challenges. Join us in welcoming these outstanding individuals as they embark on their fellowship journey.
For more details on the Impact Fellows program, visit Berkeley Public Health Impact Fellows.