Erica Ahmed

Dynamic health communications lead with expertise in strategic communication, health equity advocacy, and impactful public health campaigns.

• Unintended Consequences of Healthcare and Life Science Legislation Symposium, 10/01/14, Washington, DC, Roundtable presenter at the Center for Healthcare Innovation Annual Meeting
• Health Promotion, Social Media, and Girls: When Wellness Can’t Wait., 07/01/12, San Diego, CA, SAMHSA’s 5th National Behavioral Health Conference
• Always Real Talk Public Health, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doWM0cWLUB4

• The Baby Pantry, Director of Volunteer Services, 2024, Georgia, Not Provided
• Norfolk State Univ., Executive Board Member, 2025, Atlanta, Not Provided
• League of Minority Voters, Nat’l Board, 2020, Washington, DC
• Bowie State Univ. Sustainability Cmte., Community Partner, 2019, Maryland
• Maryland Public Health Association, Board Member, 2017-2019, Maryland

• Simpson, E., 2000, [Book Review] Race and culture in the classroom: Teaching and learning through multicultural education, by Mary Dilg., The Journal of Negro Education, 69, 162-163
• Ahmed, E., Shern, D., Steverman, S., 2012, The Special Case of Obesity among Persons with Severe Mental Illnesses: A Paradigm Case for Public Health Action, https://www.mhanational.org/sites/default/files/2012ObesityLiteratureReview.pdf

• Led a team of twelve staff on and off-site, simultaneously managed $20 million contract supporting the logistical and communications needs of the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) as well as $1.6 million contracting providing communications support to HRSA’s Ryan White HIV program.
• Led team supporting internal communication efforts for CDC Data Modernization Initiative (DMI).
• Served as Deputy Project Director at Howard University’s School of Education working collaboratively with research team, school staff, families, and the Howard University Institutional Review Board (IRB) to develop and pilot 'social-emotional' modules to be integrated into curriculum for at-risk African American 3rd and 5th grade boys to foster positive behavioral health and academic outcomes in poverty-dense areas in Prince George’s County, MD. The data showed an increase in parental engagement and a reduction in school suspensions and student referrals for disciplinary action.
• Facilitated socially distanced, in-person conversations and conducted key informant interviews regarding the need for mobile food delivery with Ziqqi Fresh executive team, local business owners, and community leaders in Kigali, Rwanda. Served as Senior UX Researcher on DevOps team for the development of mobile app.
• Provided coaching communication advisement to the Hello Fresh senior and executive-level leadership on the impact of racial inequity and implicit bias in the workplace; educated the leadership teams via a broad overview (past and present) on racial inequity and structural racism in the United States. Developed talking points and provided coaching to the U.S. based CEO on how best to engage with employees at varying strata during a series of DEI virtual and in-person townhall meetings.
• Assessed and evaluated the Ryan White STD clinic and TB program at the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness in Atlanta, GA as lead DIS. Revised clinic policy and revamped clinic flow to reduce patient wait time by an average of 30-45 minutes.
• Conducted home/unit inspections in Upper Manhattan and South Bronx while helping tenants mobilize to improve collective quality life while engaging with landlords and housing authority staff.
• Provided testimony supporting the declaration of racism as a public health crisis in the District of Columbia, at the request of Councilmember McDuffie.
• Started the Mental Health Pioneer series telling the stories and highlighting the contributions of those working in mental health, including the work of Black, Latinos, and Indigenous peoples as well as those with lived experience.
• Served as subject matter expert and program manager supporting SAMHSA/CSAP contract regarding the identification and development of communication strategies and tools to improve overall health and reduce sustained behavioral health disparities among target populations.