Vishwarupa “Vish” Vasani has more than 16 years of training and experience in planning, implementing, and evaluating public health programs in the private sector, federal and local government, and the national non-profit sector. She currently serves as the Director of the Center for Advancing Healthy Communities at the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) where she provides strategic oversight and leadership to several programs aimed at fostering healthy communities for all by advancing health equity and eliminating social barriers.

Ms. Vasani came to NACDD from YMCA of the USA where she served as a Technical Advisor. In this role, she provided training and technical assistance to local YMCAs in the delivery of evidence-based chronic disease prevention and management programs. Prior to this role, she was a Public Health Specialist for five years with the City of Minneapolis Health Department where she coordinated the development and implementation of various strategies designed to improve access to healthy eating, active living, and chronic disease prevention and management opportunities. Her two greatest achievements were developing and leading the city’s first healthier beverage initiative and working with the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority to create onsite systems for residents in high-rises to eat healthy, be active, and prevent and/or manage diabetes and hypertension. She also completed a three-year Public Health Prevention Service fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A San Diego native, Ms. Vasani loves to cook, eat, watch basketball with her husband, and spend time with her two kids and family.