Archives: Staff Members

Laura Colbert has worked at Georgians for a Healthy Future since 2014, and stepped into the Executive Director role in 2017.

Laura previously worked at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta; HSTAT, a student-run health policy and advocacy organization; and the CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention.

Laura sits on advisory committees for Georgia Departments of Community Health and Public Health, New Disabled South, and the Georgia State University’s Center for Leadership in Disability. She has served as a Consumer Liaison Representative to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (2018-2020), and as a board member to the Georgia Society for Public Health Education. Laura is also an alum of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Child Health Leadership Network (2019).

Laura earned her Master of Public Health degree from Emory University, where she focused on health literacy and the social determinants of health. Previously Laura attended the University of Georgia where she studied biomechanics and earned her B.S.Ed. She is also a Master Certified Health Education Specialist.

She lives in Atlanta with her husband and their two dogs.

Laura can be contacted at 404-567-5016 x 1 or lcolbert@healthyfuturega.org

Courtney Stallworth serves as the Deputy Director at GHF, bringing over a decade of experience in maternal-newborn healthcare, organizational operations, strategic leadership, and process optimization.

She has a proven track record in managing complex projects and fostering team excellence, with a passion for advancing health equity across Georgia.

Courtney’s expertise lies in streamlining systems and enhancing organizational efficiency, ensuring that GHF’s initiatives have a meaningful and lasting impact on the communities they serve. With a strong commitment to creating equitable health outcomes, Courtney is dedicated to driving progress and supporting GHF’s mission to improve the health and well-being of all Georgians.

Courtney can be contacted at (470) 654-5360 or cstallworth@healthyfuturega.org

Neima Abdulahi serves as Georgians for a Healthy Future’s Director of Strategic Engagement. She is an award-winning communications professional, content strategist, and project manager. With a passion for storytelling rooted in culture and authenticity, Neima has spent the past decade telling thousands of impactful stories with brands such as VH1, Apple Music, NBC Atlanta, VIBE Magazine, FOX TV, MTV, and more.

Neima has received 10 Emmy nominations, an Edward R. Murrow Award, a Gracie Award, and multiple accolades from the Atlanta Press Club, RTDNA, Georgia Association of Broadcasters, and the National Association of Black Journalists.

Born in Somalia and raised in Atlanta, Neima’s passion for community engagement was ignited by the city’s vibrant diversity. She is passionate about making a difference in the community that raised her. Through embracing the ‘it takes a village’ mentality, she actively gives back through mentorship programs, volunteering, teaching workshops, and speaking regularly at career day events at local high schools.

Neima recently earned a Master’s Degree from Syracuse University in the Media Management specialization through the M.S. in Communications program. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the distinguished Emma Bowen Foundation.

Neima can be contacted at (404) 334-0771 or nabdulahi@healthyfuturega.org

Whitney Griggs is the Director of Health Policy at Georgians for a Healthy Future. She is passionate about health policy and the profound impact state legislatures can have on health and economic outcomes. Whitney has expertise in legislative and government affairs and the health care system, including an advanced knowledge of public and private health insurance, payment and delivery system reform, prescription drug policy, and health equity.

Whitney is returning to GHF after serving as the Deputy Policy Director for The Impact Project, a multi-state organization focused on advancing large-scale economic and democracy policies in state legislatures. Whitney’s experience also includes serving as the Southeast Regional Advocacy Manager at CARE, where she built successful campaigns to grow support for U.S. investments in foreign assistance and working as the Lead Navigator at the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia during the first two open enrollment periods for the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace.

Whitney earned her Master of Public Health from Emory University, with a focus on health policy. She also holds a B.Sc in Psychology, with an emphasis on neurobiology, from Clemson University.

Carmen joins Georgians for a Healthy Future as the Impact Program Manager in the Impact Department. She brings extensive experience in supporting homeless youth, veterans, and underserved communities.

Carmen’s commitment to these communities is rooted in her firm belief that change is always possible. She is passionate about creating opportunities and resources for those in need. Throughout her career, she has honed her skills in managing grants and developing impactful resources.

Carmen has a strong background in coordinating events that drive positive outcomes and is focused on creating lasting change.

Carmen can be contacted at (470) 333-0824 or cervin@healthyfuturega.org.

Lois Hairston is the Content Development Manager at Georgians for a Healthy Future. In this role, Lois will lead the effort to collect stories from individuals and families as part of GHF’s Close the Gap initiative. Additionally, she will manage the development of digital assets that share consumer stories and informational content highlighting the state of health care in Georgia.

Lois earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication with a minor in Psychology from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Her professional background includes experience in fundraising, marketing, and public relations. Before joining GHF, Lois was an independent contractor providing photography, graphic design, and media production services.

You can contact Lois at lhairston@healthyfuturega.org or 404-567-5016 x 4.

Anthony Hill is the Strategic Communications Manager for Georgians for a Healthy Future. In this role, Anthony will lead GHF’s communications, marketing, and public relations efforts.

Anthony, a Georgia native and proud graduate of Georgia Southern University, brings a wealth of experience in effectively managing communications for diverse audiences, with a specific focus on policy communications.

Anthony combines his passion for communication with a deep commitment to improving health outcomes for Georgians by leading the organization’s communications, marketing, and media relations efforts.

Anthony can be contacted at (470) 654-5484 or ahill@healthyfuturega.org

Rachel brings a strong commitment to expanding access, opportunity, and education to her role as Administrative Assistant at Georgians for a Healthy Future. She began her career as a special education teacher, where she taught Foundations of Algebra to close learning gaps. Later, she co-developed a Literature and Composition course at Dacula High School. Her leadership in the classroom led to a 65% increase in literacy outcomes among her students.

Beyond the classroom, Rachel has dedicated her career to systems-level advocacy. At the Emory University Barton Child Law and Policy Center, she worked to uphold the rights of children involved in foster care, juvenile justice, and public education. Her efforts at the Georgia Department of Education focused on improving school compliance and securing millions in additional state funding for students across Georgia.

Prior to joining Georgians for a Healthy Future, Rachel served as Director of Government Affairs at one of the world’s largest associations. In that role, she led cross-sector collaborations, managed complex policy initiatives, and advanced advocacy priorities with a focus on underserved communities.

Rachel holds a B.S. in History Education, Cum Laude, from Toccoa Falls College and a J.M. With Honors from Emory University School of Law. She also completed the Tier 1 Educational Leadership Program at the University of Georgia.

Deanna Williams is the Central Georgia Insurance Navigator for Georgians for a Healthy Future. In this role, Deanna provides enrollment assistance, and community outreach and education in central Georgia, with a focus on these 10 counties: Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Putnam, Twiggs, and Wilkinson counties.

Deanna earned her B.S. in Psychology and minor in Sociology at Georgia Southern University. Following her passion to help others she began her career at the Department of Family of Children Services in Bibb county and later on passed her CMS training to become a certified Medicare counselor for the State of Georgia.

Deanna can be contacted at (470) 654-5509 or dwilliams@healthyfuturega.org.