Tanya Purdy, MPH, MCHES
Director
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Tanya has experience in research, development, implementation and evaluation of many health promotion initiatives including bystander intervention, mental health promotion and peer health coaching. Tanya's academic interests include feminist analysis of health disparities and health promotion strategic program planning and assessment. She is invested in bringing feminist theory and social justice research to practice through her health education work. When not at work, Tanya is an avid crocheter, volunteers as a full spectrum doula and is learning to play the drums. Tanya received a BA in Political Science and Women’s Studies from Montclair State University and a Masters in Public Health from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
Katie Coble, MSW, LICSW
SHARE Advocate
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Katie has practiced for the last decade, working primarily with youth, families, and young adults who have been impacted by trauma. Katie received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Connecticut, completing clinical field work at the University of Connecticut Health Center’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry outpatient clinic. She has extensive training and experience in crisis response, was a part of the Newtown School Tragedy Disaster Relief Team and most recently has specialized in supporting survivors of human sex trafficking within the United States and advocating for disproportionately impacted survivor populations while working at the international organization Love146 based in Connecticut. Katie has a passion for helping individuals discover their resiliency, seeking traumatic growth through individualized holistic healing and continually addressing systemic inequities that further oppress, particularly BIPOC, survivors. In Katie's spare time you will find her near a body of water engaging in recreational activities with loved ones and friends, supporting local businesses, and exploring new cities and towns.
Naomi Ninneman, MPH
Associate Director for Empowerment and Prevention Services
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Naomi has been promoting health and wellness, with a focus on sexual health, for more than twenty years. She was the director of education departments for Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando and Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and ran a peer education program for Planned Parenthood here in Rhode Island. Since coming to Brown in 2007, Naomi has launched and managed multiple campus wide initiatives including the founding of the Sexual Health Awareness Group (SHAG) and its associated texting and Ship n SHAG programs. When not at work, Naomi can most often be found running (5ks and 10ks), or at her kids’ baseball games. Naomi holds a BA in Literature from Bennington College and a Masters in Public Health from UMASS Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences.
Alana Sacks, MSW, LCSW
Associate Director for Response Services
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Alana is a licensed independent clinical social worker who has worked with survivors of sexual and relationship violence for over a decade. Before coming to Brown, she served as the Assistant Director of Programs and Services at RESPOND, Inc., New England's first domestic violence survivor support organization. She has worked as a therapist for clients with diverse needs across the lifespan, practicing in myriad settings, from outpatient mental health to inpatient psychiatric care. Alana trained at the award-winning Victims of Violence Program, which holds a national and international reputation and has made major contributions to the field of psychological trauma. A fierce feminist and advocate, she is passionately committed to fostering safe, fulfilling, and equitable relationships and to supporting those who have experienced harm in their unique journeys towards healing and recovery. In her free time she loves to cook and eat, spend time with loved ones and her cats, and to engage in different forms of art and expression. Alana holds a BA in Philosophy from Boston College and a Masters in Social Work with a certificate of specialization in trauma from the Boston University School of Social Work.
Allison Seeley, MPH
Relationship Empowerment Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Allison is a public health professional with experience working in clinical, non-profit, and higher education settings. She began her public health career working as a Medical Assistant at Planned Parenthood of Maryland while volunteering at a local Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center. Through that work she became dedicated to pursuing a career promoting healthcare accessibility, health equity, individual autonomy, and interpersonal violence prevention. Allison moved to Rhode Island after spending several years at Towson University designing, implementing, and evaluating trauma-informed programming to build a campus culture of consent. Allison holds a BS in Neuroscience from Christopher Newport University and a Masters in Public Health from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. In her spare time, you can find Allison playing volleyball, kayaking, or consuming every book in sight.
Takyah Smith, MPH
Social Wellness Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Takyah is a passionate public health professional experienced in health education and promotion. In her past positions she has focused on marginalized populations, youth and young adults, community health education and outreach, health policies, and tobacco cessation. Takyah’s academic background includes a BS in Health Sciences Pre-Clinical and Psychology from the University of Central Florida and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of South Florida. Combining her academic and professional background, Takyah is determined to support equitable services for youth and young adults that address social determinants of health and empower others to live in wellness while optimizing their quality of life. To note, Takyah is a proud native of Miami, FL.
Jonell Thibault, BA
Operations Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Jonell comes to Brown with a background in operations and case management. Originally from Southern California, Jonell graduated with her BA in Sociology from Loyola Marymount University. She is particularly passionate about criminal justice reform, and the destigmatization of those who have been justice-system involved as well as those with mental health and substance use issues. Most recently, Jonell was an operations coordinator at an outpatient treatment facility for patients with mental health and substance use disorders. When she's not working, Jonell is always up for an adventure (near or far). She loves traveling, dining out at the myriad of local eateries Providence has to offer, and dancing to just about whatever kind of music is playing.
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Kimberly Piontkowski MPH ‘23
Research Assistant
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Kimberly is an MPH student at Brown concentrating in Health Behavior. Before coming to Brown, Kimberly received her BA in Psychology and Public Health from Wheaton College (MA). Kimberly worked at the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts where she engaged in direct patient care, sexual health education and counseling, medical/lab assisting, and abortion care. Kimberly’s interests include sexual health, specifically HIV/STI prevention research, sexual violence prevention, and social epidemiology. Outside of school and work she is an avid Beach Boys fan, enjoys playing tennis, baking, and supporting the Bruins.
Jessica Spencer MPH '24
Research Assistant
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Jessica is an MPH student at Brown concentrating in Health Behavior. Before attending Brown, Jessica received her BA in Psychology from Spelman College. Jessica’s interests include health disparities, health equity, social justice, and health promotion. Previously, Jessica interned with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the United States Department of Agriculture. She enjoys reading, writing, and trying new restaurants in her free time.
Cedonia Thomas MPH ‘23
Research Assistant
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Cedonia is an MPH at Brown concentrating in Health Services. She is an emerging public health health services researcher. Her academic and research interests include health disparities, promoting healthy behaviors, and quality improvement. Previously, Cedonia has worked as a research intern at the NIH National Human Genome Research Institute, and The Rhode Island Department of Health. Cedonia received a BS in Biology from Tougaloo College. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, trying new restaurants, and traveling.
Cheyenne Thompson, MPH ‘24
Research Assistant
Pronouns: They/Them, She/Her
Cheyenne is an MPH Student at Brown concentrating in Health Services. They currently work full-time for Rhode Island’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services as a Medicaid Data Analyst, specializing in Long Term Care and Support Services (LTSS). Before attending Brown, they received a B.S. in Health Sciences at Johnson & Wales University, concentrating in Health Promotion. Cheyenne has interned as a Research Assistant writing a manuscript on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) through Brown School of Public Health and also interned with Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island in their Data & Analytics department. In their personal time, they love weight training, trying new coffee shops, playing through their D&D campaign, and attempting perfection on Stardew Valley with their partner.
