About Us
Who We Are
CityHealth, an initiative of the de Beaumont Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, advances a package of evidence-based policy solutions that will help millions of people live longer, better lives in vibrant, prosperous communities. CityHealth regularly evaluates cities on the number and strength of their policies.
Our Staff
Katrina Forrest, JD
Katrina is the Executive Director of CityHealth. Before joining CityHealth, Katrina served as both Legislative Director and Deputy Chief of Staff for At-Large D.C. Councilmember David Grosso. In that role, she drafted more than 50 pieces of original legislation and was responsible for leveraging community and business relationships to drive the Councilmember’s legislative agenda and policy priorities. In 2020, she received the Community Champion Award from the District of Columbia’s Behavioral Health Association for her advocacy on behalf of D.C. residents facing mental illness and/or addiction. Prior to her work in local and state government, Katrina served as a Compliance Manager with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), where she worked to eradicate discriminatory practices in housing and banking. Katrina holds a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice from George Mason University and a law degree from UIC’s John Marshall Law School.
Mtokufa Ngwenya
Mtokufa (Mm-Toe-Coo-Fah) Ngwenya (Ing-Gwen-Yah) is the Senior Director of Government Affairs at CityHealth, bringing more than a decade of experience in government affairs, public policy, and strategic leadership across the public and private sectors. Mtokufa began his career at the Council of State Governments and Personify Corp, building an early foundation in how organizations navigate policy environments. He then served at the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency before joining the Council of the District of Columbia as Chief of Staff — a role that sharpened his ability to translate policy into action, cultivate cross-sector coalitions, and earn the trust of elected officials and community partners. Most recently, he served as Partner and Government Affairs Lead at Access Tab, a DC-based sustainable development firm. Mtokufa holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Akeem Anderson
Akeem Anderson is the Director of Government Affairs at CityHealth. Akeem leads strategies that enhance health equity, housing access, and community well-being. He monitors legislation, crafts outreach plans, and helps cities secure federal funding. Working with groups like the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities, he has advanced policies benefiting underserved communities. Previously, as Committee Director for the DC Council’s Committee on Education, he set legislative agendas, managed budgets, and addressed education challenges. A former teacher and district leader, Akeem’s education work focused on empowering students from diverse backgrounds by providing targeted academic and social-emotional support, contributing to the successful turnaround of multiple schools. Akeem holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Mercer University. Known for building relationships and simplifying complex policies, he champions innovative solutions that promote equity and systemic change.
Tom Martin
Tom is the Director of Communications for CityHealth, where he works to grow the reach, influence, and impact of our work helping cities improve the health outcomes of millions of Americans. Before joining CityHealth, Tom worked in both the private and NGO sectors in a variety of communications, brand and digital roles. His past experience includes leading communications teams at the National League of Cities (NLC) and at CTIA, the wireless industry’s trade group. In 2018, Tom earned recognition as a top communications leader in Washington, D.C., when he was awarded first place in PR Daily’s Media Relations Awards for a successful campaign to block the White House from cutting critical funding for veterans.
Cassandra Allen, MPH
Cassandra Allen is a dedicated public health professional with expertise in workforce development, health promotion, and equity-centered strategies. She has led initiatives from community health challenges to strengthening public health infrastructure. With a diverse background spanning community needs assessments, interoperability, strategic workforce planning, and communications, Cassandra brings a holistic approach to advancing public health outcomes. Her experience spans university and nonprofit sectors, managing large scale events often intersecting health with many disciplines. A skilled public speaker and project manager, she excels in building cross-sector partnerships, fostering inclusivity, and delivering innovative, data-driven solutions. She is passionate about creating sustainable programs that advance health equity and improve community well-being. Cassandra earned her Master of Public Health in Health Promotion from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from the University of Central Florida.
contact: Cassandra@CityHealth.org
Dave Lofye, JD
Dave leads CityHealth’s engagement with city leaders and key stakeholders in Texas to promote the organization’s evidence-based policy package designed to improve people’s lives and make cities thrive. As a strategic public affairs consultant based in Austin, he helps organizations navigate the public policy landscape to maximize their effectiveness and long-term impact. Previously, Dave spent 12 years at the Livestrong Foundation, where he most recently served as Vice President of Mission Strategy and Advocacy. Prior to his time in the nonprofit sector, he worked on Capitol Hill for former Congressman Nick Lampson for more than six years. Dave earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Indiana University and a law degree from The University of Texas School of Law.
contact: Dave@CityHealth.org
David Jernigan, PhD
David brings 30 years of health policy experience to help advance, advise, and adapt CityHealth’s package of policies. David is a professor in the Department of Health Law, Policy and Management at the Boston University School of Public Health. He previously directed the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and co-directed the Maryland Collaborative to Reduce College Drinking and Related Problems, a statewide effort involving 15 institutions of higher education committed to reducing alcohol-related problems on campus and in the surrounding communities. He has served as an advisor to the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO), and has written more than 130 peer-reviewed articles, co-authored three books, and contributed chapters to six books.
Our Advisors
Clarence Anthony
CEO and Executive Director
National League of Cities
Steven Bosacker
Director of GMF Cities
German Marshall Fund
Jonathan Fielding, MD
Distinguished Professor
UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and Geffen School of Medicine
Marla Gold, MD
Professor and Dean Emerita, Health Management and Policy
Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University
Scott Hall
Senior Vice President for Civic and Community Initiatives
Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Rodney Harrell, PhD
Housing Lead
AARP Public Policy Institute
Patrice Harris, MD
Immediate Past President
American Medical Association
Genoveva Islas
Director of Cultiva La Salud
Public Health Institute
Tyler Norris
Chief Executive
Well Being Trust
Betsy Price
Former Mayor
Fort Worth, Texas
Marta Tellado, PhD
President & CEO
Consumer Reports
Our Partners
CityHealth consults a wide variety of experts for advice and counsel, especially in setting policy scoring criteria and reviewing city ratings.
