Say Hello to Christy, Our New Senior Manager

In her role as Senior Manager, Innovation and Research, Christy manages In/Tend, Healthy Teen Network’s Innovation Incubator Hub. In/Tend prioritizes participatory research and human-centered design to spark imagination and generate innovative approaches to adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Drawing on her deep experience in community engagement, research, and adolescent well-being, Christy supports innovation development teams throughout their journeys—helping them dream big, stay grounded in evidence, and center youth voices at every step.

I love nerding out on connecting imagination to innovation, creativity, and joy!

“I am excited to support youth-serving teams imagine and create new, innovative solutions that make waves in adolescent health well-being,” Christy shared. “I love nerding out on connecting imagination to innovation, creativity, and joy!”

Before joining Healthy Teen Network, Christy worked at the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD), where she provided technical and capacity-building assistance to state health departments and state education agencies. Her work focused on strengthening safe, supportive, and inclusive adolescent sexual health education and services nationwide. She also previously served as an STI Program Supervisor with the Florida Department of Health, where she delivered sexual health education, testing, and counseling; led community outreach initiatives; and strengthened connections between schools and community organizations in underserved areas across Central and Southwest Florida.

Christy’s commitment to equity also extends into research. She serves as an active community advisor on national research projects focused on reproductive health, access, and policy, where she amplifies community voices, supports equitable research practices, and helps shape resources that center those most affected by systemic inequities.

Christy earned her Master of Public Health from the University of South Florida, where her thesis examined racial disparities in maternal health care, with a focus on the experiences of Black women in the South. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration from the University of Central Florida.

Her passion for this work is deeply personal. Reflecting on her own sex education experience, Christy shared, “I wish I had learned about sexual health in a way that went beyond disease and pregnancy prevention—one that embraced the reproductive justice framework and movement.” She added that this knowledge “could have transformed the path of my decisions and strengthened my confidence, knowing I had autonomy and rights as a young Black girl from an immigrant background.”

I’m thrilled to join this exceptional community of dreamers, advocates, and doers dedicated to adolescent health and well-being—approaching this work with intentional care, safety, boldness, and passion.

When asked why she wanted to join Healthy Teen Network, Christy’s answer was full of heart and vision: “I’m thrilled to join this exceptional community of dreamers, advocates, and doers dedicated to adolescent health and well-being—approaching this work with intentional care, safety, boldness, and passion.” She shared, “[it’s] an honor to stand alongside changemakers who boldly embrace the mission of social change, advocacy, innovation, and science.”

If Christy had a magic wand to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health outcomes, she’d use it to remove barriers—completely. “I would remove all barriers that prevent access to inclusive, safe, and culturally centered sexual and reproductive health learning, services, care, and joy,” she said. Her vision includes bridging programs across “schools, communities, and third spaces where young people are free to learn, explore, and exist without judgment or shame.”

Outside of work, Christy is all about balance, joy, and community. She loves caring for herself in meaningful ways, spending quality time with family and friends, and taking spontaneous solo trips around the world. You might also find her shooting film on her vintage Canon camera, powering through a 5 a.m. strength training workout, or “obsessing over all things Beyoncé.”

We’re thrilled to have Christy join the Healthy Teen Network team and can’t wait to see how her leadership, creativity, and deep commitment to justice shape the future of our innovation and research work. Welcome, Christy!