KEYNOTE
Vic Strecher
Vic Strecher, PhD, MPH, is a professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health and director for Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship. For over two decades Vic has been a leader and visionary in the fields of health and well-being, creating new solutions that operate at the intersection of the science of behavior change and advanced technology.
A noted researcher and successful entrepreneur, Vic has cultivated a passion for connecting academic research to practical applications. In 1998, Vic created Health Media pioneering Web-based “digital health coaching.” The company set a new benchmark for scalable, lifestyle and condition management program delivery. Health Media was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2008.
In late 2014, Vic founded Kumanu (formerly JOOL Health) as a major paradigm shift in how individuals engage in the pursuit of well-being while offering organizations a more insightful means to support positive, healthy change. Vic and his work have recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, WIRED, the Chicago Tribute, and at TEDMED and TEDX events. He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his wife Jeri.
PANELISTS
Michaela Oldfield
Michaela Oldfield, PhD, JD, is director of the Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council, where she coordinates a cross-sector coalition of stakeholders advocating for policies and systems changes to ensure that all residents of the Greater Cincinnati Region have access to food that is healthy, fair, affordable and green. Michaela earned her JD from the University of Michigan Law School and a PhD from Michigan State University in Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies. Michaela’s work with the GCRFPC ranges from advocating for adoption of the good food procurement policies at anchor institutions to working with farmers markets, food hubs, and food access partners to develop more local food outlets and affordability across the region, to promoting food systems as an economic development and health improvement tool for the region.
Jodie Leister
Jodie Leister, LPCC-S, CEA, is a supervising licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Certified Employee Assistance Professional within the OSU Employee Assistance Program. She joined the OSU team in 2015 and since that time has helped to cultivate and expand EAP offerings for the Ohio State University community. Her focus is on advocating for employee wellness and organizational management that supports the wellbeing of staff and their families. She is passionate about her work and enjoys getting to teach and learn from others through her practice in counseling, consultation, public speaking and organizational collaboration.
Julialynne Walker
Julialynne Walker, JD, has over 30 years of experience working with public and private sector organizations - domestic and international - managing projects and providing strategic planning and guidance in the areas of social development, change management (gender, diversity and inclusion), public policy and the African Diaspora. She currently operates two entities: Africa and Diaspora Development Linkages, a management consulting firm, and Crossing Cultures Travel and Tours, a full service, online travel agency. Her community activities include serving on the boards of the Columbus Landmarks Foundation and the James Preston Poindexter Foundation.
Karima Samadi
Karima Samadi, MPH, CHES, is a public health professional who has engaged in food systems work for over 10 years and looks to influence policy, systems, through both community-engaged research and grassroots activism. She is the co-Chair of the Franklin County Food Policy Council.