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Selected Work

Examples of complex problems Anna Leonard has helped organizations navigate through consulting engagements and prior work across public health, policy, data, and organizational strategy.
Orange Abstract Waves

Current & Recent Consulting Projects

Data Communications Strategy & Implementation

NC Department of Public Health;
Injury & Violence Prevention Branch
The project

The Injury & Violence Prevention Branch (IVPB) manages a large array of complex, epidemiological data products and needed support with:

 

  • Expanding the accessibility of IVPB data products to the general public

  • Incorporate storytelling into the data product development process

  • Assistance with applying plain language best practices across public-facing materials

 

Throughout this project, it was critical to build off existing IVPB work and staff bandwidth. 

Selected outcomes

  • Developed an audience analysis framework to guide IVPB communication decisions

  • Conducted training for IVPB staff on drafting effective blogs and public-facing materials that translate complex data findings into plain language

  • Reworked overdose data materials to incorporate storytelling and tailor key messages to IVPB’s primary audience

  • Strengthened plain-language practices across IVPB communications

Curved Gradient Design

Prior Experience

Federal Budget & Policy Strategy

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Context

In 2020, Congress authorized the launch of 988, a three-digit crisis line to replace the existing suicide lifeline. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration needed to build national infrastructure and secure sufficient funding before the summer 2022 launch. 

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The U.S. DHHS expected the 988 launch to significantly increase call volume. Without adequate funding, the program risked being unable to respond to individuals in crisis. Policy constraints also limited HHS's ability to immediately advocate for increased funding, while the compressed timeline created additional logistical and policy challenges.

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Role

Validated economic models to estimate projected call volume and cost per call to ensure accuracy and robustness under tight policy and timeline constraints. Managed collaboration and negotiation between SAMHSA leadership, HHS leadership, and OMB to build consensus around funding needs. Coordinated with Congressional staff to provide timely, data-driven responses and build confidence in the estimates.

Impact

  • Resulted in hundreds of millions in additional Congressional appropriations for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, enabling the program to successfully respond to thousands of additional calls each month.

Improving Access to Long-Term Services

North Carolina Medicaid
Context

The Long-Term Care division of North Carolina Medicaid sought to improve access to long-term services and supports. Patients navigate a complex application process and the division wanted to improve referral pathways to improve the process for families, providers, and clinicians.

Role

Led stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and workflow assessments to identify barriers and develop practical improvements.

Impact

  • Redesigned Community Alternatives Program application using plain-language principles

  • Conducted data analysis to identify underserved regions and populations

  • Launched a targeted outreach initiative within six months

  • Refined physician trainings to improve referral pathways

  • Improved coordination between Medicaid, providers, and community partners

Data-Driven Strategy & Prevention Planning

North Carolina Department of Public Health,
Injury & Violence Prevention
Context

Public health leaders wanted to expand access to data describing the public health impacts of alcohol use. 

Role

Led the communication strategy for developing a new, innovative data dashboard focused exclusively on alcohol use in North Carolina. 

Impact

  • Developed the communication strategy for a first-of-its-kind statewide alcohol public health data dashboard

  • The successful launch of the dashboard later supported a successful CDC grant for a full-time alcohol epidemiologist, the first in the division.

  • Strengthened data-driven decision-making for public health leaders across North Carolina

Neighborhood Retail & District Strategy

Streetsense
Context

A major municipal economic development organization sought to identify neighborhood retail opportunities and define proposed retail districts to support long-term community investment and economic growth. The work required balancing market analysis with local context, while ensuring recommendations reflected on-the-ground realities in diverse neighborhoods.​​

Role

A a senior analyst on the consulting team, conducted retail opportunity analysis, stakeholder engagement, and neighborhood-level research to inform district planning and investment strategy. Ensured that the economic analysis was grounded in local insight and responsive to community priorities.

Impact

  • Conducted neighborhood-level retail and market analysis to identify viable commercial corridors

  • Supported development of proposed retail district strategies for city stakeholders

  • Engaged with local stakeholders to understand community priorities and concerns

  • Translated qualitative and quantitative findings into actionable planning recommendations

  • Contributed to a final deliverable used to guide economic development strategy and retail investment planning

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