Promote Environmental Justice Working Group

Aver Yakubu

Nurturely

Aver Yakubu, PhD,MHA,MPH, is a public health leader dedicated to advancing perinatal equity and environmental justice. Aver leads national initiatives that connect maternal health, climate resilience, and racial equity to empower families and professionals through education, research, and community collaboration. Her work includes designing and evaluating community-based programs such as the Birthworker Business Hub and the EnviroNatal Network, fostering cross-sector partnerships that center the lived experiences of parents. With expertise in participatory approaches and collective impact, Aver is passionate about building inclusive systems that protect birthing people, families, and the planet.

Genesis Granados

Air Alliance Houston

Genesis Granados (they/them): As the Environmental Justice Programs Senior Manager at AAH, Genesis is responsible for executing an organization-wide strategy and special initiatives to engage and empower residents and organizations in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies that advance clean air for all in the Houston/Harris county. In addition, they create comprehensive community engagement strategies that are more community informed and community led. Genesis holds a Masters in Psychology from the University of Houston–Clear Lake. In the last decade, their work has focused on breaking down health care barriers via advocacy, education and capacity building with fenceline communities. In their previous health educator role at Legacy Community Health, they were able to build a deep understanding of the various issues and existing disparities that communities face when it comes to healthcare access. Additionally, they saw first-hand how disasters (natural and chemical) are detrimental to community health. Their working framework incorporates environmental justice, reproductive, economic, language, and health justice.

Kasey Rivas

March of Dimes

Kasey Rivas, MPH, serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at March of Dimes, where she leads the national Mom and Baby Action Network, a coalition seeking to advance maternal and infant health equity through meaningful collaborations. With a focus on maternal and infant health equity, Kasey has extensive experience in promoting equitable healthcare outcomes, designing innovative programs, and advocating for systemic change to address disparities in maternal and infant health. Kasey's work spans sectors with a focus on advancing maternal and infant health equity at the intersection of environmental, social, and economic justice. Kasey holds a Masters in Public Health from George Washington University and dual Bachelors in Science degrees in Biology and Chemistry.

When not at work, Kasey enjoys spending time in nature and going on adventures with her husband Chris, son Brekken, and their two dogs, Ferdinand and Harley.

Rose Aka-James

CARE USA

Rose Aka-James is a public health strategist and social innovator driving lasting systems change for girls, women, families, and communities worldwide. With over a decade of high-impact leadership across Africa and the U.S., she unites cross-sector partners to build equitable health and social programs and solutions. Known for integrating cultural intelligence, human-centered design, and strategic partnerships, her influence spans major institutions from the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to the Clinton Global Initiative. Featured by BET, Parents Magazine, Essence, and leading medical journals, Rose now serves as Director of U.S. Health Programs at CARE USA.

Skye Wheeler

Human Rights Watch

Skye Wheeler is a Senior Researcher in Human Rights Watch’ Women’s Rights Division, where she researches the impact of climate change and environmental violence on sexual and reproductive rights, with a focus on the maternal health implications of environmental and human rights crises. Her background is in conflict related war crimes and human rights atrocities, and she started her career as a journalist. Skye recently settled in the eastern US and has two children.

Tina Alishia Brown

Nature Momz

Tina Alishia Brown is the Founder and Executive Director of Nature Momz Doula Services, a community-based 501(c)(3) organization in Southwest Philadelphia dedicated to maternal and infant wellness. A Certified Doula and long-time CNA, Tina combines over 25 years of caregiving experience with her passion for advocacy, environmental justice, and holistic family care. Through programs like Black Maternal Health Week, EnviroNATAL Day, and Daddy Doula University, she uplifts families and promotes healthy beginnings. Rooted in faith, healing, and community, Tina empowers women and parents to thrive—mind, body, and spirit—through education, support, and connection.

Veronica Irvin

Oregon State University

Dr. Irvin is an Associate Professor and the Celia Strickland Austin and G. Kenneth Austin III Endowed Professor at Oregon State University, College of Health. Dr. Irvin earned her PhD in Public Health, Health Behavior from UC San Diego and San Diego State University. Dr. Irvin uses a community-engaged approach to develop, evaluate, and disseminate behavior change programs, policies and practices. One of her primary areas of focus is cancer screening and the role of health navigators. Dr. Irvin has translated this expertise to the field of environmental health sciences where she works with communities on programs for safe drinking water.

Yuli Smith

Global Communities Healthy Start

Yuli Smith is a Midwife licensed by the Medical Board of California and an Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultant with ten years of experience in the perinatal health field. In addition to her professional certifications, Yuli holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles. As the current Consortium Manager at Global Communities' Healthy Start San Diego-Riverside, Yuli utilizes her professional expertise and lived experience to effectively engage diverse stakeholders in collaborative efforts to address perinatal health disparities.

Zainab Jah

The Praxis Project / Woven

Zainab Jah, MPH is a Co-Founder of Woven, a research and strategic consulting team focused on health equity and social impact. She received her Masters in Public Health from Rollins School of Public Health with a background in Behavioral Science and Health Education. Her work focuses on reproductive justice for Black birthing people transnationally. Currently, she serves as co-investigator on a NIH-funded Maternal Health Research Center of Excellence to address disparities in maternal morbidities and mortalities in the Gulf South. The work is in partnership with Tulane University, where she co-leads efforts to incorporate community expertise and priorities in all areas of the Center. She also leads projects that center birth equity in climate change solutions for Black birthing people in the US, Puerto Rico, and Sierra Leone.