Aliyah Ali
Saline,MI
Summary
Strategic and compassionate public health leader with a strong policy and programmatic background. Known for addressing complex challenges while prioritizing people and communities as the focal point. Adept at fostering collaboration and inspiring teams to achieve results.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal
Courage Forward Strategies
01.2023 - Current
- Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for a purpose-driven, woman-owned firm. Oversee the day-to-day deliverables to advancing public health systems, programs, and policies.
- Develop and implement strategic plans and initiatives to expand the impact of public health and social services programs.
- Provide expertise in external relations, effectively engaging with government agencies, partners, and stakeholders to promote and support public health initiatives.
- Promote collaboration among diverse stakeholders, fostering shared visions that contribute to social justice and improved community well-being.
Deputy Associate Director for Policy
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
10.2020 - 12.2022
- Led cross-agency collaboration as the principal policy liaison in harm reduction activities and external partnerships, playing a central role in driving leadership initiatives related to harm reduction, syndemics, and state policy engagement. Recognized as a trusted advisor to key stakeholders, frequently called upon to contribute expertise and participate in high-level expert meetings.
- Lead a cross-agency team, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to develop and expand harm reduction technical assistant activities.
- Expertly managed the full lifecycle of office hiring process, skillfully recruiting and onboarding 7 highly qualified staff members, elevating the team's capabilities.
- Served as an advisor to senior leadership on risk mitigation and other strategic and reputational strategy, utilizing a risk management framework to reduce risk exposure.
Public Health Analyst
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
01.2017 - 10.2020
- Played a key role in the development of 'Ending the HIV Epidemic' initiative, creating programmatic, internal, and external communications and budget materials to advance HIV prevention goals.
- Conceptualized and led state policy initiative that identified and advanced evidence-based interventions to address HIV, viral hepatitis, STD, and tuberculosis priorities, resulting in stronger partnerships between state decision-makers and public health professionals.
- Directed and managed multiple projects, overseeing 5 partner cooperative agreements. Leveraged interpersonal skills to build relationships with diverse partners and strengthen collaboration, leading to increased efficiency and effectiveness.
- Provided strategic support to Center laboratories, developing 10 communication materials to highlight innovative contributions and simplify complex scientific concepts for diverse audiences, including congressional and leadership visits.
CDC COVID-19 Response
CDC
06.2020 - 08.2020
- Provided visionary leadership, strategic guidance, and direction to CDC's first Chief Health Equity Officer, ensuring a comprehensive approach to reduce COVID-19 disparities.
- Established and nurtured productive relationships with response leadership and task forces, guaranteeing that CDC's COVID-19 Health Equity Strategy was central to all response activities.
- Monitored and enforced ongoing progress, holding the CDC accountable for achieving the Chief Health Equity Officer's goals and successfully implementing the COVID-19 Health Equity Strategy.
Special Assistant to the CDC Director and Chief of Staff
Office of the Chief of Staff
06.2016 - 01.2017
- Led planning and coordination of over 40 large-scale, multifaceted events and high-profile visits, including Congressional visits, ensuring flawless execution and showcasing the CDC's leadership and commitment to public health.
- Proactively engaged with CDC senior leadership, federal agencies, and partners to foster collaboration and coordinated responses to emerging public health issues, ensuring comprehensive programmatic responses and innovative solutions.
- Provided expert direction, and proactive management of numerous high-priority projects, facilitating informed decision-making and the advancement of CDC Director's priorities, legislative efforts, budget initiatives, and policy objectives.
Special Assistant to the Director
Center for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support (CSTLTS)
10.2015 - 06.2016
- Provided executive-level support and operated as a key strategist in the CDC Director's office, driving high-level decision-making and policy development.
- Liaised with CDC senior staff and state, tribal, local, and territorial health officials, addressing high-priority needs and emerging public health issues, while also representing the director at critical meetings.
- Played an integral role in the Zika Summit, advising and coordinating with state and local health officials, Governors' offices, and stakeholders on critical areas such as vector control, maternal and child health, epidemiology.
CDC Public Health Prevention Service Fellow
National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI)
10.2012 - 10.2015
- Developed and expanded NNPHI Bridging Public Health and Health Care portfolio to build NNPHI and member healthcare system transformation capacity, secured over $1.5 million of funding.
- Created and coordinated technical initiative, Bridging Public Health and Health Care Learning Community, for member institutes and partners to address current goals and challenges and identify creative strategies for fostering collaboration and innovation among healthcare system stakeholders.
- Offered specialized technical guidance to 4 grantees, meticulously reviewing and enhancing work plans, budgets, and monitoring and evaluation strategies. Spearheaded the creation of valuable, evidence-based resources and tools to empower grantees in the effective execution of program activities and to ensure the highest standards of accountability.
Washington DC Quarantine Station
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
10.2014 - 12.2014
- Conducted screenings of individuals returning from Ebola affected countries and coordinated follow-up monitoring with CDC headquarters and state or local health departments.
- Developed standard operating procedures, highlighting roles and responsibilities for quarantine station surge staff for implementing enhanced Ebola screening guidelines.
- Trained airport staff, including Customs and Border Patrol, on Ebola screening protocol and transmission.
Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Poxvirus & Rabies Branch
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
04.2013 - 09.2013
- Developed and implemented monitoring and evaluation plan for surveillance, lab diagnostics, and community outreach activities related to canine and human rabies control and prevention in Haiti.
- Created and implemented key-informant interview protocol to inform the development of culturally and linguistically responsive rabies prevention outreach mechanisms, requiring creativity and self-direction.
- Conducted a comprehensive review, analysis, and synthesis of state rabies prevention laws and policies for all states, informing future recommendations and policy planning activities.
Office of Minority Health and Health Equity
Office of the Director
10.2012 - 04.2013
- Developed a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) supplement highlighting evidence-based, scalable strategies that are effective in reducing health disparities.
- Conducted meta-analysis of social determinants associated with repeat pregnancies among adolescents.
Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP)
Minneapolis Department of Health (MDH)
06.2009 - 08.2012
- Led the creation and implementation of the Minneapolis Healthy Corner Store program, an initiative supporting convenience store owners to make fresh produce and healthy foods more affordable and accessible. Successfully introduced the program in 8 local stores and delivered presentations nationwide.
- Partnered with management of various Minneapolis multi-unit housing buildings to pass building-wide smoke-free policies, including the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority with over 5,000 housing units.
- Co-coordinated the City of Minneapolis Wellness Committee and implemented policies and programs that support the health and well-being of City of Minneapolis employees, including a city-wide healthy food policy.
- Coordinated City of Minneapolis Public Health Advisory Committee aimed at advising City Council and MDH on policy issues related to ensuring the health of Minneapolis residents.
Steps to a Healthier Minneapolis
Minneapolis Department of Health (MDH)
11.2007 - 06.2009
- Partnered with community organizations, schools, and residents to reduce the burden of chronic illnesses.
- Researched and presented policies to the Minneapolis Mayor and City Council, securing support for a trans fat ban and calorie labeling in local restaurants.
Education
Master of Public Health (MPH) - Public Health Administration and Policy
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, School of Public Health
05.2007
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, College of Liberal Arts
12.2004
Skills
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Policy Development
- Program Planning and Implementation
- Dot-Connector
- Strategic Planning
- Complex Problem Solving
- Commitment to Equity and Social Justice
Publications
Meeting the urgent need for rabies education in Haiti, Zoonoses Public Health, 2018O. V. Osinubi N. Fenelon J. L. Dyer R. Franka M. Etheart A. Ali M. Birhane N. Phaimyr Jn Charles A. Destine Saleme C. Newman K. Crowdis C. Lutfy C. E. Rupprecht R. M. Wallace V. R. Johnson https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12474
Javed, Z., Burk, K., Facente, S., Pegram, L., Ali, A. & Asher, A. (2020). Syringe Services Programs: A Technical Package of Effective Strategies and Approaches for Planning, Design, and Implementation. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease, Control and Prevention; 2020
Timeline
Principal
Courage Forward Strategies
01.2023 - Current
Deputy Associate Director for Policy
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
10.2020 - 12.2022
CDC COVID-19 Response
CDC
06.2020 - 08.2020
Public Health Analyst
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
01.2017 - 10.2020
Special Assistant to the CDC Director and Chief of Staff
Office of the Chief of Staff
06.2016 - 01.2017
Special Assistant to the Director
Center for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support (CSTLTS)
10.2015 - 06.2016
Washington DC Quarantine Station
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
10.2014 - 12.2014
Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Poxvirus & Rabies Branch
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
04.2013 - 09.2013
CDC Public Health Prevention Service Fellow
National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI)
10.2012 - 10.2015
Office of Minority Health and Health Equity
Office of the Director
10.2012 - 04.2013
Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP)
Minneapolis Department of Health (MDH)
06.2009 - 08.2012
Steps to a Healthier Minneapolis
Minneapolis Department of Health (MDH)
11.2007 - 06.2009
Master of Public Health (MPH) - Public Health Administration and Policy
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, School of Public Health
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, College of Liberal Arts
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