Dr. Denise Anderson, Ph.D., MPH
Executive Director
Dr. Denise Anderson, a native of Newark, New Jersey, is an accomplished executive and public health practitioner with a diverse and extensive background spanning multiple sectors, including hospitals, state and federal governments, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and academia. Her generalist approach to public health has enabled her to lead programs across a wide range of areas, including HIV, sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, birth defects, developmental disabilities, chronic illnesses, maternal and child health, primary care, COVID-19, and more. She has also worked in workforce development, transitional housing, behavioral health, and youth programs.
Dr. Anderson is a Northern New Jersey American Red Cross board member, co-chairing the Regional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. She is also the President-Elect of the New Jersey Public Health Association (NJPHA) and a board member of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ), where she co-chairs the Disparity Study Task Force Committee.
Her academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology with a concentration in Dietetics from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a Master of Public Health from Rutgers University’s School of Public Health, and a Ph.D. in Urban Systems (environment – education and health systems) from Rutgers University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Dr. Anderson is also a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Public Health Prevention Specialist (PHPS) fellow (Atlanta, GA and Los Angeles, CA), and an Eagleton Institute of Politics Legislative Policymaking fellow, which included time with the New Jersey State Legislature, Office of Legislative Services.
Adaobi Ndupu
Program Manager – Health Opportunity Zones
Adaobi Ndupu is a first-generation Nigerian American. A lifetime lover of science, she earned her bachelor’s in biology and public health from Rutgers and went on to complete a master’s in public health from Drexel University in Philadelphia. As a public health professional, she has experience steering programs within the health, education, and social services sectors. She is passionate about health equity and justice.
In her professional and personal life, Adaobi continues to champion those whose circumstances have made them vulnerable to poor health outcomes and advocate for strategies to bridge the gap on various determinants of health, including education, income, and social justice.
Consolata Mogeni
Program Manager – Research & Development
Consolata Mogeni is a dedicated health equity advocate with a Bachelor’s in Biology and Public Health from Rutgers University and a Master’s in Global Health from New York University. She has extensive experience designing and implementing public health programs, spanning nutrition research, workplace wellness, and COVID-19 mitigation.
Passionate about sustainable community health initiatives, Consolata focuses on reducing health disparities through the social determinants of health, fostering local partnerships, and leveraging data-driven strategies to improve public health outcomes.
Darah Bagby-Prosser
PHI Program Coordinator
Darah Bagby-Prosser is a passionate environmental and public health advocate with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy from Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and a Master of Health Science in Environmental Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her research focused on the impact environmental factors can have on physical and mental health within communities. Darah is driven to support community development initiatives that create healthy and thriving environments for everyone.
Eva Perez
Community Health Worker Supervisor
Eva Perez is a community health and wellness advocate passionate about serving vulnerable families and communities. Growing up in her native Puerto Rico and then in southern New Jersey, her parents’ selfless example of support for their community inspired her to embark on a career in social services. Eva has worked in nutrition education, community health, and anti-hunger roles for nearly a decade with progressively more responsibility. Before joining The Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing as a Community Health Worker Supervisor, Eva most recently managed the Community Food Bank of New Jersey’s Mobile Food Pantry program, where she led its expansion to communities and neighborhoods with limited access to healthy food across Cumberland, Cape May, and Atlantic Counties. She was incredibly proud to have increased the pantry’s community-specific, culturally relevant food offerings and created an inclusive distribution atmosphere where all could feel welcome. Eva graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Counseling from Pillar College.
Stefany Castillo
Community Health Worker
Stefany Castillo is a dedicated public health professional with a strong academic background in biology and psychology. She majored in both subjects at Rutgers University and developed a deep interest in the relationship between health, behavior, and the environment. Stefany earned her Master’s degree in Public Health from William Paterson University, focusing on the determinants of health and health policy. Passionate about creating programs that benefit society, she strives to design initiatives that improve community health and have a lasting impact. Outside of her career, Stefany enjoys staying active and exploring new approaches to public health challenges.
Marilyn Gil
Community Health Worker
Marilyn Gil is a dedicated Community Health Worker in Cumberland County, NJ, currently working with the new pilot program under The Center for Health Equity & Well-Being (CHEW). Transitioning into this role has been a significant step in her career, building on her background as a special educator with extensive experience supporting individuals with various abilities. Previously, she served as a Mental Health Disability Coordinator, providing critical support to children, families, and educators. Passionate about working with people, Marilyn thrives in roles that allow her to empower and uplift others. She deeply engages in community outreach, continuous learning, and connecting with New Jersey residents.