Atlanta, GA (Dec. 9, 2024) – The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) is pleased to announce that Kristen Alford, PhD, MPH, MSW has been selected for the new staff role of Director of the Diabetes Portfolio.
Since joining NACDD in 2022 as Diabetes Communication and Evaluation Workstream Lead, Alford has played a key role in elevating the work of the Diabetes Portfolio through creative presentations, updated diabetes content, strategic partnership building, and compelling grant writing.
“Kristen’s contributions across NACDD’s diabetes prevention and management portfolio have made a tremendous impact in support of state and territorial health departments,” said NACDD Chief Program Strategy Officer Marti Macchi, MEd, MPH. “Her steadfast approach has helped NACDD to elevate its work in the diabetes prevention space. The leadership team is excited for Kristen join the Association in this new capacity, and we look forward to her continued strategic guidance and vision.”
In her new role, Alford will provide strategic leadership and support all aspects of the Diabetes Portfolio. She will provide continual input to senior leadership on the diabetes portfolio’s progress and success, ensure all project deliverables are met, and guide the vision and strategic direction of the Diabetes Portfolio.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve in this new capacity alongside my colleagues in the diabetes prevention and management portfolio at NACDD,” Alford said. “I will strive to elevate and expand the work of our portfolio, ultimately to better promote health, prevent diabetes, and support efforts to reduce the negative effects of diabetes in our nation. I look forward to strengthening our collaborative efforts with existing and new partners to continue progress on this vital work.”
Alford brings experience in strategic planning, program implementation and evaluation, and health communication. She previously served as an associate professor of social work and public health at Calvin University. In this role, she taught undergraduate and graduate public health courses with an emphasis on social and behavioral aspects of health. She also directed the undergraduate public health program and was a key campus leader during the university restructuring. Previously, Alford worked in the New York State Department of Health in their Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.
Alford holds a PhD in Social Work and a Master of Public Health from Michigan State University as well as a Master of Social Work from the University at Albany.