Mildred Thompson
![[image] Mildred Thompson](images/MildredThompson.jpg)
As associate director at PolicyLink, Mildred Thompson leads the work of the organization's heath team; participates in research focused on understanding community factors that impact health disparities; and identifies policy changes needed to improve individual, family, and community health. She has been involved in numerous research and advocacy projects, including the federal Healthy Start program, aimed at reducing infant mortality. Through that project, she led a study confirming that substantive community involvement strengthens programs, neighborhoods, and public health policies.
Thompson has authored several reports and journal articles focused on effective ways to achieve health policy change and implement innovative community building strategies. Prior to joining PolicyLink, Mildred was director of the Alameda County Public Health Department’s Community Health Services division. She holds undergraduate degrees in nursing, early childhood education, and psychology, as well as a master’s in social work from New York University. She has also taught classes at Mills College and San Francisco State University, and has worked as an organizational development consultant.
Thompson has spoken at premier national public health conferences, received numerous awards, and serves on Alameda County’s Children’s and Families Commission and The Zellerbach Family Foundation board. She is also a Robert Wood Johnson Health Initiative Fellow.