The Reservoir Advocacy & Alliance Network (RAAN) builds on Reservoir’s history of stakeholder engagement and formalizes a network of Reservoir experts and seasoned strategic partners who enable us to bring the most diverse and thoughtful viewpoints to bear for any health issue, therapy, disease state or coalition. The RAAN also plays an essential role in supporting Reservoir’s emphasis on health equity, bringing deep expertise and critical counsel as we advance programs and policies that reduce health disparities and ensure equal opportunity for health.
This year, we are pleased to announce the addition of Tammy Boyd, Jeanette Contreras and Susan Hassmiller to this esteemed group. Together, they bring decades of expertise across health policy, nursing and health equity, and will further the RAAN’s ability to serve as key advisors in support of clients’ business, advocacy and reputation objectives.
Learn more about each of these experts below:
Tammy Boyd is a strategic advisor, relationship builder, and government affairs expert with extensive experience in building high-impact coalitions, shaping transformative policies, and championing legislative initiatives that address systemic inequities. Throughout her career, Tammy has worked tirelessly to close health disparities, advance health equity, and empower underserved and under-resourced communities. As Senior Vice President of Government Affairs & Strategic Alliances for the Association of Black Cardiologists, Tammy leads efforts to improve cardiovascular and cancer outcomes in underserved populations. Her career includes leadership roles with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, National Medical Association, Black Women’s Health Imperative, TKB Global Strategies, DaVita, Inc., and Johnson & Johnson.
Jeanette Contreras has a strong track record of enhancing healthcare access and equity through strategic patient advocacy. She has held leadership roles in prominent non-profits, including the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), UnidosUS (formerly the National Council of La Raza), the National Consumers League, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Jeanette serves on the Board of Directors for the Society of Hispanic Rare Diseases (Sociedad Hispana de Enfermedades Raras) and Mom Congress. She began her career in the legislative office of the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, dedicating over a decade to public service at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Dr. Susan Hassmiller is the Co-Founder and Principal for Sulu Coaching and Consulting with a focus on health care leaders. Hassmiller has devoted her career to strengthening the nursing profession, improving population health, and advancing health equity. She is a Professor of Nursing at Florida State University and adjunct faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and serves on numerous boards. During her quarter century at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, she served as the Senior Adviser for Nursing and led the effort to advance the landmark National Academy of Medicine recommendations for both Future of Nursing reports. Hassmiller has held numerous leadership positions at the American Red Cross, receiving the Florence Nightingale Medal from the International Red Cross for her courageous contributions to the profession. She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and holds the Living Legend status at the American Academy of Nursing.
Our existing network includes other leaders with robust expertise in serving specialized populations and communities:
- Aimee Thorne-Thomsen – Latino/a community
- Chrystine Zacherau – Nursing community
- Dr. Cindy Cooke – Military families and rural communities
- Deanna Darlington – Multicultural populations and health equity
- Gillian Parrish – Cancer community
- Rev. Jennifer Butler – Faith-based communities and social justice
- Katy Spangler – Employer community
- Lee Lynch – Women’s health and older Americans
- Lori Weinstein – Faith-based communities, women’s health and wellness
- Michelle Nealy – Social justice
- Nina Hill – Global life sciences policy
- Dr. Richard Williams – Health equity and cardiovascular health
- Dr. Ronny A. Bell – Health disparities and American Indian health
- Shawn Gremminger – Provider and employer communities
- Steve Grossman – Rare disorders community
If you would like to learn more about Reservoir’s offerings surrounding alliance development and stakeholder engagement, please reach out to Lee Lynch or Michelle Nealy.
