Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia Announces New Board Members and Welcomes Back Esteemed Members for Another Year of Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 1, 2023 

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (HMHBGA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of new board members, as well as the reappointment of distinguished individuals, to its Board of Directors for the upcoming year. 

Our new Board Members include: 

• Emma Benton, CFO – Clayton County Public Schools 

• Bethany Cole Munshi, Health Equity Consultant – Camber Collective 

• Anne Debeer, (Retired) Former Senior Vice President & CIO/CFO- Federal Reserve Bank 

• Jenna Howell, Owner- Contour Pilates ATL 

• Earlisha Louis, Sr. Business Partner- Elekta 

• Tracey Steele, Senior Principal Program Lead- Chik-Fil-A 

• Lydia E. Thacker, President - Agosto Associates, LLC 

• Alison Thompson, Managing Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations- Emory University 

In addition to the new members, HMHBGA is delighted to welcome back the following individuals, who have graciously agreed to serve another year on the Board of Directors: 

• Board President - Rachel Powell, Senior Program Manager – CDC Foundation 

• Board Vice President - Margaret Master, Research Manager – Emory University Rollins School of Public Health 

• Board Treasurer - Katie Deutschler 

• Board Secretary - Jennifer Fease, Senior Vice President and Group Counsel for Litigation – Equifax  

• Alex Kim, Managing Director – Accenture Song 

• Shannon Stevenson, Asst. Professor of Nursing – Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing 

• Theia Smith, Director of Innovative Inclusion Team – PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) 

• Jonathan Smith, Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager – JM Huber Corporation 

• Irene Yang, Assistant Professor – Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing 

"We are delighted to welcome our new board members and extend our heartfelt gratitude to the returning members for their unwavering dedication and invaluable contributions. The combined expertise and vision of our board will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of HMHBGA. We are confident that their guidance will drive our continued growth and success," said Ky Lindberg, CEO of HMHBGA. 

Georgia has consistently ranked low on maternal and infant health indicators, ranking 44th for infant mortality and 48th for maternal mortality in the country. Serving over 75,000 families a year, HMHBGA focuses on the full spectrum of maternal and infant health concerns from prematurity to maternal mortality. The organization provides direct resources and education to families, bolsters the perinatal workforce, and works to reduce systematic barriers to ensure that every family has access to resources for a healthier life. 

As HMHBGA embarks on this new chapter, the board members, both new and returning, will work collaboratively to steer the company towards its strategic goals. Their collective wisdom and experience will provide invaluable insights to support our families in Georgia. 

About Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia 

Founded in 1974 as a statewide, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (HMHBGA) is one of the strongest statewide voices for improved access to healthcare and health outcomes for Georgia’s mothers, birth givers and babies. HMHBGA's mission is to improve maternal and infant health through advocacy, education, and access to vital resources. We envision a Georgia where all thrive with equitable access to perinatal resources and knowledge, responsive to each community's needs: 

• We ensure that the immediate perinatal health and resource needs of families are supported through our programs and services. 

• We are committed to leveraging innovation and collaboration to fill educational and programming gaps for communities experiencing the most significant health inequities. 

• We advocate for maternal and infant health policies, influencing policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize the needs of mothers and babies, address disparities, and allocate resources effectively.  

• We advance collective advocacy by conducting maternal and infant health research, leveraging data to inform policy and sharing with our allies to foster alignment in our collaborative efforts. 

Learn more on www.hmhbga.org. 

For more information, please contact: 

Daphne Yuan, Director of Communications & Development 

daphne.yuan@hmhbga.org