Heartland Forward is expanding its Health & Wellness team with two new experts, Brittney Roy-Morales and Rachel Morrow. One of the organization’s three impact areas, Heartland Forward’s Health & Wellness team helps states and communities drive lasting health improvements – because you must have healthy communities to drive economic success.

“With Brittney and Rachel joining our team, I am excited to build on the strong momentum we have established and advance Heartland Forward’s work to create healthier communities across the heartland through research, policy, partnerships, programs and convenings that improve outcomes for individuals, families, moms and babies.” – Angie Cooper, President, Heartland Forward 

Brittney Roy-Morales joined Heartland Forward as Senior Director of Policy and Strategy, leading the organization’s state health policy efforts to improve the health and well-being of communities across the heartland. Her leadership will be integral to the growth of the Heartland Health Caucus, a group of legislators and state officials supporting the exchange of solutions to pressing health issues and the development of consistent policy approaches across states.

“Communities across the heartland are demonstrating what’s possible when innovative policies and strong leadership come together to improve health and well-being. I’ve spent my career helping states turn good ideas into action, and that’s exactly what this moment calls for. I’m honored to join Heartland Forward at a time when there is a shared commitment to creating meaningful, lasting impact.” – Brittney Roy-Morales, Senior Director of Policy and Strategy, Heartland Forward

Brittney, a Little Rock native with a master’s degree in public administration, previously covered public health, welfare and labor policy for former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson. More recently, she worked with the National Governors Association, where she joined then-First Lady of New Jersey Tammy Murphy in developing the Tackling the Maternal and Infant Health Crisis: A Governor’s Playbook. This playbook inspired Heartland Forward’s Maternal & Child Health Center for Policy & Practice (MCH CPP)—an initiative launched to improve maternal health outcomes for mothers, children and families across the heartland.

The work of the MCH CPP will now be directed by Rachel Morrow. Rachel, also an Arkansas native, brings years of experience in convening experts and leaders for complex discussions to a role steeped in collaboration and cooperation. Rachel previously served as Chief of Staff and Executive Officer of NASA’s Heliophysics Division and in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. She earned her Master’s in Public Affairs from Princeton, where she focused on rural and health policy. As director, Rachel will continue the MCH CPP’s work and expand efforts to drive action to improve outcomes for moms, babies and families across the heartland.

“Growing up in Arkansas, I saw how much a family’s health shapes everything—the ability to work, to learn, to build a life here. Coming back to the heartland to lead this work means a great deal to me. My focus is on practical, evidence-based solutions we know work, so that better outcomes for moms and babies become the norm across our region.” – Rachel Morrow, Director, Maternal & Child Health Center for Policy & Practice

Strong maternal health outcomes are foundational to healthy families, thriving communities and a competitive economy. Heartland Forward is leading the way in promoting evidence-based solutions with proven results. Initiatives such as the Heartland Health Caucus and the Maternal & Child Health Center for Policy & Practice have put these proven strategies at the center of collaborative discussions about replication in different heartland communities.