JENNE JOHNS, MPH
Jenne Johns, MPH brings a unique combination of nonprofit, philanthropic, entrepreneurial, academic, and research experience to her work. Passionate about childhood obesity prevention, nutrition education, and personal empowerment, Ms. Johns has more than 10 years experience educating African American communities, youth, and families about the importance of healthy eating and active living. Ms. Johns is currently a Senior Associate at PolicyLink, where she works with national, regional, and local philanthropies to strategically align and invest in multi-field, multi-sector, equity initiatives to create healthy people in healthy places. Prior to joining PolicyLink, she worked in Washington, DC, as Deputy Director for Programs at the Summit Health Institute for Research and Education, Inc. (SHIRE). In this role, Ms. Johns provided leadership for the organization’s childhood obesity prevention portfolio. There she worked with local government, nonprofits, and low-income community residents to advocate for policies that increased access to healthy and affordable foods, and safe environments for children to play. Prior to joining SHIRE, she served as Program Associate at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), working on health care quality, health care disparities, and nursing issues.
Ms. Johns’ dedication to community health extends beyond her professional profile. While in Philadelphia, she served the community in several capacities, including Associate Director for the Students Run Philly Style program at the National Nursing Centers Consortium, Adjunct Professor at Arcadia University, and Temple University, Department of Public Health. Ms. Johns also served the community as a Nutrition and Health Consultant. In this role, she offered basic nutrition education and empowerment workshops to faith-based, academic, nonprofit, and youth-serving organizations. Ms. Johns also created a Health and Wellness Ministry focusing on nutrition education and fitness at her church. Her passion for education also led her to speaking with high school, undergraduate, and graduate students about the importance of preparing for their professional future. To this end, Ms. Johns has delivered motivational presentations at numerous universities and academic enrichment programs for youth.
Ms. Johns holds a Masters Degree in Public Health, Community Health Education from Temple University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Ecology, Nutrition with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). Ms. Johns has been invited to present her research and community engagement policy work at national, state, and local conferences. In addition, she has served as a peer reviewer of federal grant programs through the Department of Health and Human Services (Offices of Minority Health and Public Health and Science). Ms. Johns currently serves on the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, Core Nutrition Messages Advisory Group. She has also served as a member of the Diversity Sub-committee to the National Physical Activity Guidelines Plan, and the 2010 Annual Meeting Planning Committee for the Society for Public Health Education.
Ms. Johns’ awards and accomplishments include: 2011 UMES Inspiring Alumni Award; Certificate of Recognition for the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships Program, Regional Finalist 2010 Competition; Certificate of Appreciation, Society for Public Health Education, 2010 Annual Meeting Planning Committee; 2009 Leadership Philadelphia top and talented young professionals designation; Distinguished MPH Project Award, Temple University; Certificate of Appreciation, Teen Obesity Summit Organizer, Girl Scouts of Maryland.
In her spare time, Ms. Johns enjoys time with family, volunteering, and traveling. Ms. Johns currently volunteers as an afterschool mentor to female youth at Brotherhood Sister Sol in Harlem, New York. Past volunteer projects have included work with the New York City Chapter for the Young Professional Network of the National Urban League; Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic; Girls Scouts of Southern Maryland, Tigerlilly Foundation; and Suited for Change.