Annual Summit 2025

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris is an award-winning physician, researcher, and public health leader who has spent her career on the front lines of some of our world’s most pressing public health challenges. As California’s first-ever surgeon general, she helped guide the state’s COVID response to achieve the lowest cumulative mortality of any large U.S. state. Amid the throes of the COVID pandemic, Dr. Burke Harris successfully launched a first-in-the-nation statewide effort to train more than 20,000 primary care providers on how to screen for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and respond with trauma-informed care.

Dr. Burke Harris’ career has been dedicated to serving vulnerable communities and combating the root causes of health disparities. After completing her MPH at Harvard and residency at Stanford, she founded a clinic in one of San Francisco’s most underserved communities, Bayview Hunters Point. It was there that Dr. Burke Harris identified ACEs as a major risk factor affecting the health of her patients and applied research from the CDC and Kaiser Permanente to develop a novel clinical screening protocol.

Her work has been profiled in best-selling books and award-winning films. It’s also been featured on BBC, NPR, CNN, and Fox News, as well as in USA Today and the New York Times. Dr. Burke Harris’ TED Talk,How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across the Lifetime, has been viewed more than 11 million times. Her book,The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity, was called “indispensable” by the New York Times.

Janet Currie is the Henry Putnam Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University and the co-director of the Program on Families and Children at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Currie is a pioneer in the economic analysis of child development. Her current research focuses on socioeconomic differences in health, environmental threats to health, child mental health, and the long-term impact of child health. She has presented her work at universities around the world and in venues ranging from the White House to the EuropeanInvestment Bank.

Currie holds honorary degrees from the University of Lyon, the University of Zurich, and the Università della Svizzera italiana, and she’s a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the British Academy. She is the 2024 President of the American Economic Association. She is a distinguished CES Fellow as well as a fellow of the Econometric Society, the Society of Labor Economists, and the American Academy of Political and Social Science. She was chosen as a NOMIS Distinguished Scientist in 2019 and won the Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize in 2023. She was also named one of the Top 10 Female Economists by the World Economic Forum in 2015. Currie has served on the board of reviewing editors of Science, as the editor of the Journal of Economic Literature, and on the editorial boards of manyother journals.

Amanda Watson, CNM, has over 17 years of experience in the field of women’s health. She is an assistant professor at the University of Delaware School of Nursing, teaching women’s health in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Prior to joining the university, she served as director of the Women’s Health Department at La Red Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Sussex County, Delaware. Amanda plays an instrumental role in bridging health care access gaps for underserved women and continues to advocate for expanded health insurance coverage for populations denied due to immigration status. She holds delivery privileges at Bayhealth, Kent Campus in Dover and at TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford, where she previously provided full-scope midwifery and women’s health care.

Amanda graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in international relations and women’s studies. She later became a certified professional midwife (CPM) and attended deliveries in the home and in a freestanding birth center setting. Her doctoral research focused on improving entry to prenatal care in the first trimester for underserved women. She contributes to a global health column for theJournal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, exploring international women’s health issues. She is a passionate educator and advocate for women’s reproductive health.

Gina Hamilton, BSN, RN, leads the care coordination and community health services team for one of the nation’s largest multistate pediatric health systems, Nemours Children’s Health. She is committed to holistic, equitable, and high-quality care coordination and community health education initiatives that support the organization’s vision of whole-child health. As part of the care integration leadership team, she is dedicated to creating local partnerships with neighboring health care organizations, community pediatric practices, and insurance payers to improve the health of children.

Gina is a graduate of Penn State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration. Later, she went on to earn an associate degree in nursing from Delaware County Community College, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Wilmington University. Currently, she’s just a few courses away from obtaining her master’s in business administration from Rosemont University.

Kimberly Blanch, BSN, RN, serves as Beebe Healthcare’s director of Community Outreach/Population Health. With a deep-rooted passion for equity and a commitment to addressing access to care and social drivers of health, Kim leads teams and programs focused on making significant strides in improving health outcomes for underserved populations, while also providing education and resources wherever possible.

Kim began her undergraduate studies in business at the University of Delaware. However, life experiences guided her toward an associate degree in nursing from Southern Maine Technical College, where she began her nursing career in Portland, Maine. Kim earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Wilmington University, where she is currently enrolled in a dual-degree program: Master of Science in Nursing Leadership with a Public Health Concentration and Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN/DNP).

In her role as director of Community Outreach/Population Health, Kim leverages her health care knowledge and well-established community connections to address the broader social and environmental factors influencing health. Kim’s work involves collaborating with local organizations, community leaders, and policymakers to address barriers to health care access. She also works to implement place-based and mobile community-based points of care, while promoting preventive health measures. Her efforts are driven by a belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to achieve optimal health, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Outside of her professional role, Blanch is an active member of her community. She enjoys spending time in nature with her family and friends and is involved in various local initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life in Sussex County. Her personal and professional lives are deeply intertwined with her commitment to improving health and well-being for all.

LaToya Brathwaite, MSN, FNP-BC, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with over 15 years of experience in pediatrics, family practice, and public health. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Widener University and her Master of Science in Nursing with an FNP concentration from Chamberlain University.

She is the founder and lead practitioner of Mother Baby & Beyond (MB&B), a community practice providing health care after pregnancy as well as early parenting support to expectant and new mothers and families of children from birth to age 3. MB&B also provides maternal screening and referral to services through community pop-up clinics throughout the state of Delaware.

LaToya also serves as the nurse consultant for New Castle County Community Health Services, providing expertise, education, support, and advocacy for the good and well-being of the citizens of New Castle County as well as all Delawareans.

Gregory Whilby has over 20 years of real estate and banking experience, working for financial institutions such as Capital One, HSBC, Sallie Mae, and now currently Stepping Stones Community Federal Credit Union. He has extensive real estate experience in leading private organizations to structure and implement strategies for acquiring, managing, consulting, and financing real estate projects around the DMV area. He is currently serving as the vice chairman of the board of Stepping Stones Community Federal Credit Union.

Jared Jenkins is a passionate male doula dedicated to providing exceptional support for fathers during the childbirth journey. Since 2020, Jared has focused on strengthening fatherhood by empowering men to be active, informed, and supportive participants in the birth process. His personal experiences as a father, coupled with his professional training, drive his mission to ensure that fathers feel prepared, involved, and confident as they step into their new role.

As the vice president of Daddy University’s Doulas4Dads program, Jared plays a key role in helping fathers navigate the emotional, physical, and psychological aspects of childbirth. The Doulas4Dads program provides comprehensive education and mentorship, offering fathers the tools and confidence they need to support their partners and bond with their newborns. Through this program, Jared has helped dads build deeper connections with their families by addressing their unique concerns and needs before, during, and after childbirth.

Having experienced the challenges and joys of fatherhood firsthand, Jared understands the importance of emotional support and guidance for dads, which is often overlooked in traditional birth settings. His approach is grounded in the belief that when fathers are well prepared and supported, they can become more present and engaged in their child’s life from the start. Whether through one-on-one coaching, group classes, or community outreach, Jared is committed to ensuring that fathers are not just bystanders but active participants in the birth experience.

Wade G. Jones, LPCMH, LCDP, CCS, is a licensed professional counselor of mental health, licensed chemical dependency professional, national certified counselor, certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor, certified co-occurring disorder professional, certified prevention specialist, HIV/AIDS counselor and tester, certified clinical supervisor, and a certified mental health screener. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in behavioral science and his Master of Science in community counseling from Wilmington University, as well as post-master’s certificates in child and family counseling and mental health. He also has an Associate of Arts in criminal justice from Delaware Technical and Community College.

In addition to his Employee Assistance Program specialist role, Wade is the executive director of Alternative Solutions Consulting Group, LLC. He is the former Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services System of Care clinical lead and the Delaware Fatherhood and Family Coalition’s statewide coordinator. He has an extensive professional background, including working as the behavioral health services coordinator and behavioral health consultant for the State of Delaware, Recovery Services. He also served as Administrator I at Recovery Innovations’ Recovery Resource Center. Wade has also been elected to the Delaware Certification Board and appointed to the Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium and Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals.

Doris L.P. Griffin, EdD, was born in Montclair, New Jersey, and spent her formative years in Seattle, Washington, and Baltimore, Maryland. She believes that people should get all the education they could ask for, as demonstrated in her own life. She completed her undergraduate education at Hampton University. She attended Coppin State University and Wilmington University for her graduate degrees. She holds two certificates of study in nonprofit management and faith-based community development, both from the University of Delaware.

Dr. Griffin has served as the executive director of three organizations in Delaware. Currently, she is the executive director of the Delaware Adolescent Program, Inc. (DAPI), a statewide school for pregnant and parenting teen girls. She has been at DAPI for 12 years. Her work with DAPI has allowed her to lead the effort to expand programming to assist teens with additional support services. Dr. Griffin was recently selected to lead her team in presenting at the National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Conference regarding programming success and recruitment efforts. She works diligently with all school districts, but still more work is needed. Dr. Griffin sees the increasing need to directly work on fatherhood initiatives to ensure consistent success of the students. This service was supplied in past years through partnering organizations.

Logan Herring is the CEO of The WRK Group, including The Warehouse, REACH Riverside, and Kingswood Community Center. Raised in Wilmington’s west center city neighborhood, Logan knows that other people helped guide him to success, and his goal is to now pay it forward.

Logan started his work in the Riverside neighborhood of Wilmington in 2016 as the executive director for Kingswood Community Center. In 2018, The WRK Group was created to accelerate the redevelopment of the Riverside community and surrounding areas of northeast Wilmington. Today, The WRK Group is made up of 75 employees who deploy over $12 million in annual revenue to create opportunities that empower the residents of Riverside to thrive. The Warehouse, an oasis in northeast Wilmington, was developed “For Teens, by Teens” and serves as an innovative one-stop center serving youth ages 13 to 24. TWH increases engagement and program commitment and helps youth develop the skills, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors necessary to increase employability skills, gain and retain employment, and obtain a secondary/postsecondary education. The REACH Riverside Development Corporation was formed in 2017 to remove the barriers to prosperity and well-being facing Wilmington’s Riverside neighborhood. REACH is leading the community to implement the Purpose-Built Communities revitalization model, a holistic approach focused on housing, education, and health initiatives. Founded in 1946, Kingswood Community Center is the central hub of the larger revitalization initiative in the Riverside community. Programming at KCC serves all ages, spanning “cradle to cane.” Signature programs include the Early Learning Academy, after-school and summer programming for children up to age 12, community and family services, the EMPOWER Economic Mobility Program, and the Jimmy Jenkins Senior Center.

Logan holds a Bachelor of Arts in business management from Goucher College and a certificate in nonprofit leadership from Boston College.

Leah Jones, MPA, is a seasoned public health professional with over two decades of experience in health and social services, starting her tenure at the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) in 2010. Currently serving as chief of the Family Health Systems Section at DPH, she oversees a team of 30 employees. She has administrative responsibilities as well as policy and programmatic oversight of initiatives such as infant mortality, maternal and child health, early childhood, and home visiting. Leah leads a team that manages a $35 million portfolio, conducts legislative analysis, and supports DPH in short- and long-term planning. She serves on multiple committees and advisory boards, contributing to statewide health policy and program development.

Alonna Berry is a senior director at Social Contract, where she leads the consulting team in advancing leadership, learning, and design strategies for social impact. With over 15 years of experience in education, policy, and consulting, she previously spearheaded the firm’s equity and impact practice, advising on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access initiatives.

A doctoral candidate in organizational learning and innovation at Wilmington University, Alonna is focusing on best practices for implementing statewide trauma-informed care. She formerly served as the director of Community and Family Services in the Office of Delaware Governor John Carney, where she shaped policies in health, equity, housing, and education. Passionate about systemic change, she founded the Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence, a public charter high school named after the renowned justice advocate.

Alonna is deeply committed to maternal health. She leverages her expertise in policy and social impact to drive meaningful change for families and communities.