For Immediate Release, July 18th, 2024
Contact: Lisa M. Peyton, (608)305-4422
Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness Announces New Chief Programs and Partnerships Officer:
Health Equity Expert Dr. Michelle Robinson Brings Strategy, Systems Leadership, Research and Relationships to Bolster Impact
Madison, Wisconsin – The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, a Wisconsin based non-profit committed to advancing Black women’s health and reducing racial health and birth disparities, has announced today its hire of health equity leader Dr. Michelle Robinson who will serve as the organization’sChief Programs and Partnerships Officer.
Dr. Robinson began her role with the Foundation on July 10th following distinguished leadership at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) where she served as the inaugural Director of the Office of Health Equity (OHE) since October 2021. In her new role, Dr. Robinson will lead a broad body of enterprise programs and initiatives, help expand and deepen the Foundation’s local, statewide, and national partnerships to advance health, birth, and social equity, and strengthen the organization’s policy, advocacy and systems-change work.
Dr. Robinson brings a strong track record of health equity leadership, policy and systems-level change work, and research to the Foundation. During her time as the OHE Director, Dr. Robinson was responsible for establishing a clear vision and focus for the agency’s health equity work, including programs and policy efforts for statewide workforce planning and equity and inclusion across all of DHS’s internal and external programs and operations. Prior to OHE, she served as the Director of the Office of the Inspector General and the Equity and Systems Change Research and Policy Officer (ESCRPO) at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) where, as a member of the Secretary’s cabinet and the agency leadership team, she provided strategic direction to health equity initiatives and on internal and external equity strategy, and as the Inspector General, established an internal review team and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program for the agency.
During her tenure in state leadership, Dr. Robinson also served as vice-chair of the Governor’s Health Equity Council (GHEC), a body charged with creating a comprehensive plan to achieve long-lasting and equitable health outcomes for all Wisconsinites by addressing health disparities, and is the primary author of its report Building a Better Wisconsin: Investing in the Health and Well-being of Wisconsinites. She was also a co-author and co-designer of DCF’s Preschool Development Grant proposal, a one-year planning grant that brought in $10 million to the state to improve the state’s early care and education system.
Prior to entering state service, Dr. Robinson was a member of the award-winning Race to Equity Project at Kids Forward where she contributed her expertise on disparities and racial equity research, policy, practice, and community engagement.
“It is with much excitement and pride that I step into the role of Chief Programs and Partnerships Officer at the Foundation forBlack Women’s Wellness as we continue the critical work of empowering a generation of Well Black Women”, says Dr. Robinson. “As a longtime supporter of the Foundation, joining the organization at this time feels like a full circle moment. I look forward to working with Lisa and the incredible team to build on, grow, and strengthen the Foundation’s many efforts to create the conditions and environments necessary to radically transform Black women’s health in our state and across our nation.”
Lisa Peyton, CEO and President of the Foundation, says the organization is thrilled to welcome Dr. Robinson and her game-changing, people-centered leadership as the Foundation moves into its second decade of work and commitment to transform the landscape of Black women's health in Wisconsin and beyond.
“Excited is an understatement for how we feel in welcoming Dr. Robinson to the Foundation team”, says Peyton. “For nearly a decade, Dr. Robinson has been a friend, adviser, thought partner, and advocate to our organization while leading and contributing to transformational health equity and social justice work in Wisconsin and nationally. Having her officially join as a member of our leadership team will undoubtedly grow and deepen the impact of our work, open new pathways and opportunities to carry out our mission, and advance our cause to build a community, nation and world where Black women and their families truly thrive.”
______________________
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION FOR BLACK WOMEN’S WELLNESS
Established in June 2012, the Foundation for Black Women's Wellness is committed to our mission to energize, mobilize and support Black Women to transform their health and their lives through education, advocacy, leadership development, and powerful partnerships. A central part of our work involves efforts to eliminate health disparities and other barriers impacting the lives of Black women and their families by working with community members, partners, and allies to influence systemic change. Each year we reach, engage, and support over 10,000 women and girls across Wisconsin and beyond to build healthier lives, and impact and inspire thousands more through our advocacy work and social channels. To learn more, visit https://www.ffbww.org.
