< Back WRAL News Coverage of Funding Freeze and Stop Work Order Effecting North Carolina Eric Miller, WRAL Feb 5, 2025 A funding freeze and stop work order at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is threatening thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic impact in North Carolina. WRAL coverage of the funding freeze and stop work order To view the full article: https://www.wral.com/news/local/public-health-experts-warn-trump-funding-freeze-impact-north-carolina-february-2025/ Previous Next

2022 NC Global Health Annual Conference Registration Thursday, October 6, 2022 McKimmon Center, NC State Ticket Descriptions: Student - Member Students who attend one of our member universities (UNC Chapel Hill, Duke, NC State, App State). Student - Non-Member Students who do NOT attend one of our member universities. Professional - Member Professionals who are employed by one of our member organizations . Professional - Non-Member Professionals who are NOT employed by one of our member organizations . Low/Middle Income Country (Virtual Only) Virtual attendees who are from a country that is classified as low- or middle-income. Will have access to at least two break out sessions that will be broadcast live during both the morning and afternoon breakout blocks, in addition to the content posted on our conference app (stories and posters) . Virtual Only Virtual attendees will have access to at least two breakout sessions that will be broadcast live during both the morning and afternoon breakout blocks, in addition to the content posted on our conference app (stories and posters). Government Agency Discount Attendees who are employed by a government agency. Click here to register on the conference web app.

Staff & Board of Directors Staff Brianna Clarke-Schwelm, MPH Executive Director Brianna (she/her) comes to the North Carolina Global Health Alliance with fifteen years of non-profit experience in both global health and domestic public health. She began her career working in health clinics in rural Kenya, Honduras, and Panama, before moving to New York City, where she served as a fundraiser for The Hunger Project, an international NGO committed to ending global hunger and poverty through community-led, integrated approaches. Brianna moved to North Carolina to work at the NCDHHS' Office of Rural Health and is proud to serve the people of North Carolina. Board of Directors Gerald Bloomfield, MD, MPH Associate Director for Research, Duke Global Health Institute Chair, Board of Directors, Katie Bowler Young, MFA Senior Director of University Collaborations, RTI International Emily Evens, PhD, MPH Director of Applied Research, FHI 360 Secretary, Board of Directors Christopher LeGrand, MS CEO, BroadReach Treasurer, Board of Directors Tracey du Laney, PhD Vice President, Science and Technology Development, NC Biotech Tim Mastro, MD, DTM&H Principal, Mastro Global LLC Executive Committee Sid Thakur, BVSc, MVSc, PhD Professor and Executive Director, Global One Health Academy, NC State University Heather Vahdat, MPH Executive Director, Male Contraceptive Initiative

Reflections on a Shared Day of Community and Commitment On April 25, the North Carolina Global Health Alliance welcomed 120 members of our state’s global health community to the NC Biotechnology Center for a powerful day of reflection, reconnection, and forward momentum. The Global Health Futures Symposium was more than a professional gathering—it was a reunion, a healing space, and a rallying cry. As we gathered over coffee, breakfast, and long-overdue hugs, it was clear how much we all needed this moment. In the wake of an unprecedented 95-day pause in U.S. foreign aid programs—triggered by an Executive Order to “Reevaluate and Realign” international assistance—our sector has been shaken. Jobs lost. Futures uncertain. But our purpose remains clear. In her opening remarks, Brianna Clarke-Schwelm , Executive Director of NCGHA, met the moment with honesty. She spoke to the exhaustion and uncertainty many in the room were feeling — and also to the unshakable importance of our work. “This is lifesaving work,” she said, “and when we say lifesaving, that is not hyperbole.” Quoting John Lewis, she reminded us: “...each one of us in every generation must do our part… the responsibility is ours alone to build a better society and a more peaceful world.” To open our hearts before the policy conversations began, Brianna introduced Emily Cataneo and Arshia Simkin , founders of the Redbud Writing Project , who invited attendees to engage in healing through storytelling. They led with a poignant reading, then encouraged everyone to write—offering writing prompts and a midday workshop that many attendees described as moving and transformative. The first panel, moderated by Brianna, brought Elisha Dunn-Georgiou , JD, MS, President & CEO of the Global Health Council, and Jeremy Tolbert , Deputy National Outreach Director of the US Global Leadership Coalition, into conversation on the state of global health advocacy. They unpacked the challenges of navigating today’s political climate, from litigation to preserve global health funding to reframing how we talk about international investment with local relevance. “Leading globally matters locally,” Jeremy reminded us—a theme echoed throughout the day. After the break (and Redbud’s writing workshop), we shifted focus to the local application of global expertise. In a session facilitated by Deborah Baron , PhD, MPH, MIA, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Health Behavior at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, panelists Laura Rowley , PhD, Vice President of Life Sciences Economic Development at the NC Biotechnology Center and Patrick Brown , PharmD, Executive Director of the NC Public Health Collaboration, explored how global health skills—advocacy, cross-sector leadership, resilience—can and should power local health efforts. Their message was clear: your skills are transferable, and North Carolina needs you. In a moving moment that left few dry eyes, Redbud returned to the stage to introduce two audience members who shared stories they had written that day—raw reflections of service, struggle, and enduring commitment to health equity. NC Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall closed the symposium with a powerful reminder of North Carolina’s long-standing and ongoing role in global health leadership. Drawing on her office’s 26-year partnership with Moldova, she emphasized the importance of diplomacy, collaboration, and storytelling. “You represent the best of who we are,” she said. “As you listen, collaborate, and lead—never turn down the opportunity to share your story.” Brianna concluded the day with a message of belonging: whether or not you remain in the traditional global health sector, you will always be part of this community. The North Carolina Global Health Alliance is, and will remain, a home for all who believe in global health equity. Let us continue the climb—together. With Closing Remarks From Elaine F. Marshall Secretary of State North Carolina Globe Global Health Advocacy: Uniting to Build a New Future for Global Health Elisha Dunn-Georgiou, JD, M.S. President & CEO Global Health Council Globe Jeremy Tolbert Deputy National Outreach Director US Global Leadership Coalition Globe Brianna Clarke-Schwelm, MPH Executive Director North Carolina Global Health Alliance Globe Pathways Forward: Applying Global Skills to Meet Local Needs Patrick Brown, PharmD Executive Director NC Public Health Association Globe Laura Rowley, PhD Vice President, Life Sciences Economic Development North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBiotech) Globe Deborah Baron, PhD, MPH, MIA Adjunct Assistant Professor, Health Behavior, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Globe Agenda 8:30 - 9:00 Registration, Networking, Redbud Writing Project Station 9:00 - 9:30 Welcome with NCGHA Executive Director, Brianna Clarke-Schwelm and Redbud Writing Project's Emily Cataneo & Arshia Simkin. 9:30 - 10:15 Session #1: Uniting to Build a New Future for Global Health with Global Health Council CEO, Elisha Dunn-Georgiou; US Global Leadership Coalition Deputy National Outreach Director, Jeremy Tolbert; and NCGHA Executive Director, Brianna Clarke-Schwelm. 10:15 - 10:45 Networking and Redbud Writing Project Station 10:45 - 11:30 Session #2: Adapting Global Skills for Local Careers with NC Public Health Association Executive Director, Patrick Brown; NC Biotech Center Vice President of Life Sciences Economic Development, Laura Rowley; and UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Adjunct Assistant Professor, Deborah Baron. 11:30 - 12:00 Closing Remarks from NC Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall Thank you to our sponsors NCDHHS and host the NC Biotechnology Center!

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