Best Field Center For Childrens Policy Podcasts (2025)

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S4E11 Turning Evidence into Action: Are Global Actors Delivering on GBV Prevention? 41:20

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6d ago41:20

41:20

Translating research into real-world programs, policies, and advocacy is essential for ending violence against women and children. Yet, despite clear evidence, gender based violence (GBV) prevention is often treated as a “social issue” rather than a core governance responsibility. In this episode, we explore what it means to turn evidence into acti…

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S4E10 How Male Supremacism Drives Gender Based Violence 45:20

14d ago45:20

45:20

Male supremacism is the belief that men are more important, more valuable, or should have more power than women; reinforcing gender inequality, and creating the conditions in which violence against women, non-binary people and LGBTIQ people is more likely to occur and to be tolerated or excused. While it shows up in everyday norms, cultural message…

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Episode 7: Interview with Jamie Bennett, Executive Director of Cetera (Tampa, FL) 41:19

26d ago41:19

41:19

In this November 2025 episode, MSW intern Jasleen Virk interviews Jamie Bennett, co-founder and executive director of Cetera. Jamie shares her personal foster care journey and how it fueled her passion to advocate for young people in foster care. She believes that relationship building is a cornerstone to supporting youths’ well-being and highlight…

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S4E9 Can Policy Reform Help Reduce Intimate Partner Violence? 42:59

1M ago42:59

42:59

Policy reform has enormous potential to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV) - yet this area is surprisingly under-researched. Through systems such as education, legal frameworks, and social protection policies, governments and their policies are uniquely placed to shape the environments in which violence either thrives - or is prevented. So, wh…

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Episode 6: Interview with Sarah Pauter, Executive Director from John Burton Advocates for Youth (San Diego, CA) 30:35

2M ago30:35

30:35

In this October 2025 episode, MSS intern Cheri Mitchell interviews Sarah Pauter, Executive Director of John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY). Sarah shares how her lived experience in foster care motivated her to become an outspoken advocate for extending the age of foster care emancipation to twenty-one. She passionately advocated for the passing …

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S4E8 Understanding IPV Over Time: The Power of Longitudinal Research 43:15

2M ago43:15

43:15

Understanding intimate partner violence (IPV) requires more than a snapshot in time. Long-term studies that follow people and communities over years can reveal patterns, risks, and protective factors as well as outcomes that shorter-term research often overlooks. They help us see how violence develops, changes, or declines across different stages o…

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Episode 5: Interview with David Meyers and Lori Tiller from Embark Georgia (Athens, GA) 39:26

3M ago39:26

39:26

In this September 2025 episode, Associate Director Sarah Wasch interviews David Meyers, Director, and Lori Tiller, Director of Research & Evaluation, of Embark Georgia. Together, they share their professional journeys that led them to the University of Georgia where they now lead a statewide initiative aiming to increase college access and retentio…

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S4E7 Gender-Based Violence in Higher Education: Rethinking Institutional Responses 44:02

4M ago44:02

44:02

Universities and colleges are meant to be spaces of learning, growth, and opportunity. Yet for many, they can also be environments where sexual and gender based violence occurs and is left unaddressed. Power imbalances, entrenched hierarchies, and lack of oversight mean survivors are often silenced while perpetrators go unchallenged. In this episod…

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Episode 4: Interview with Liz Northcutt from City Living NY (New York, NY) 30:46

4M ago30:46

30:46

In this August 2025 episode, MSS intern Hannah Bennett interviews Liz Northcutt, Executive Director and Founder of City Living NY. Liz shares her inspiring journey - from social policy intern to CASA Borough Coordinator to forensic social worker - leading to the creation of City Living NY. Moved by the barriers youth face as they age out of foster …

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S4E6 Field Building in Crisis - Sustaining the violence prevention sector in unprecedented times 48:56

4M ago48:56

48:56

Around the world, organisations and activists working to end violence against women and violence against children are facing unprecedented threats, from political instability to shrinking civic space and economic strain. Most recently the devastating cuts to global development funding - particularly the closure of major donors like USAID - has sent…

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Episode 3: Interview with Fritzie Saintoiry from Genesis Hopeful Haven (Miami, FL) 25:30

5M ago25:30

25:30

In this July 2025 episode, MSSP intern Liya Cha interviews Fritzie Saintoiry, the CEO and President of Genesis Hopeful Haven in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Fritzie shares her personal story, turning her grief over losing her son into a life-giving force for youth in foster care. Genesis Hopeful Haven works to prepare youth to successfully transitio…

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S4E5 GBV and LGBTQ+ Communities: Addressing the Research Gap 44:43

6M ago44:43

44:43

This week we turn our attention to gender-based violence and LGBTQ+ communities. GBV within LGBTQ+ communities is a serious yet under-researched issue. In many global and humanitarian settings, the experiences of queer and trans people are frequently ignored or erased and much of the existing research tends to focus on heteronormative, high income …

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Episode 2: Interview with Gianna Mulkay from Foster Love (Brea, CA) 26:04

6M ago26:04

26:04

In this June 2025 episode, MSW intern Sabrina Vargas talks with Gianna Mulkay, Executive Director of Foster Love, to discuss the organization’s incredible journey from its roots on a college campus to the impactful nonprofit it is today. Gianna shares her personal story, insights into the mission of Foster Love, and the specific programs making a d…

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S4E4 Working with Faith Leaders in Prevention and Response to Gender Based Violence 27:31

6M ago27:31

27:31

Faith and religion are central to the lives of billions of people around the world. In many communities, faith leaders are among the most trusted voices, holding significant influence in shaping beliefs, attitudes and behaviours. This makes them powerful allies in the prevention of and response to gender based violence (GBV), yet working at the int…

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Episode 1: Interview with Lynn Tonini from the Aging Out Institute (Harrisburg, PA) 34:28

7M ago34:28

34:28

In this May 2025 episode, the inaugural episode following the transition of the podcast from the Aging Out Institute to the Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research at the University of Pennsylvania, MSW Intern Kate Greco interviews Lynn Tonini, Founder and former Executive Director of the Aging Out Institute. Lynn spoke about her jo…

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Episode 107: Interview with Gretchen Dupps with Cleveland Angels (Cleveland, OH) 46:32

7M ago46:32

46:32

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Gretchen Dupps, the Founder and Executive Director of Cleveland Angels located in Cleveland, Ohio. Gretchen shared her own exposure to the foster care system in her own family, who took in foster youth. She also described the purpose and services of Cleveland Angels, which is a chapter of the National Angels …

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S4E3 Conflict-related Sexual Violence - Centering Survivors 38:50

7M ago38:50

38:50

Conflict zones are places of immense hardship - with people facing displacement, broken healthcare systems, and separation from families and communities. But when sexual violence is added to the equation, the challenges for survivors become even greater. Conflict-related sexual violence is not only deeply traumatising, it is also used as a tool of …

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Episode 106: Interview with Amanda Simonetta with The Felix Organization (Locust Valley, NY) 53:51

8M ago53:51

53:51

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Amanda Simonetta, the Executive Director of The Felix Organization in Locust Valley, New York. Amanda discussed her background as a school guidance counselor, which then led to being the first Camp Director at The Felix Organization. She shared the goal of her organization, which is to help youth in care expe…

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S4E2 New Tools for Measuring Sexual Violence Interventions 40:36

9M ago40:36

40:36

Measuring the impact of violence prevention interventions is crucial to understanding which efforts are truly making a difference in reducing sexual violence. But are the current methods able to capture the full scope of this complex issue? What if there were more reliable, comprehensive ways to assess the true effectiveness of our work. In this ep…

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Episode 105: Interview with Alissa Jecklin with Good Samaritan Boys Ranch (Springfield, MO) 47:16

9M ago47:16

47:16

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Alissa Jecklin, Director of Transitional Living with Good Samaritan Boys Ranch in Springfield, Missouri. Alissa shared how she discovered the needs of youth in foster care through a summer job while in college. She chose to focus her career helping these youth. At Good Samaritan, she leads a transitional hous…

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Episode 104: Interview with Deana Mendez with Finally Family Homes (Santa Clarita, CA) 49:03

9M ago49:03

49:03

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Deana Mendez, Case Manager at Finally Family Homes in Santa Clarita, California. Deana told about her journey to working at this organization and explained about the host home program that provides housing for 18 to 25 year old former foster youth with community members in the Santa Clarita area. She also sha…

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S4E1: Masculinity, Misogyny, and the Manosphere - A Conversation with Gary Barker 47:35

10M ago47:35

47:35

The manosphere is a sprawling online network of forums, influencers, and content that brings together ideas about men, power, gender roles and identity, often promoting misogyny and even driving real-world violence. The manosphere’s influence is growing and becoming a powerful force in shaping young men's world views. But what do we actually know a…

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Episode 103: Interview with Prince George's County CASA (Riverdale, MD) 47:39

10M ago47:39

47:39

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Yolanda Johnson, Executive Director, and Cheryl Richards, Case Supervisor for Transition-Aged Youth, for the Prince George's County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in Riverdale, Maryland. Yolanda and Stephanie shared their own backgrounds and an overview of their CASA organization, which has been aro…

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Episode 102: Interview with Stephanie Rampone from DFW Angels (Dallas, TX) 48:49

11M ago48:49

48:49

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Stephanie Rampone, Director of Development for the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Angels in Dallas, TX. Stephanie shared her unexpected journey from the fashion industry to working with youth in foster care. She also described the three primary areas of service of her fast growing organization: 1) intentional giving…

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S3E12: Impact and Memory - Voices from the SVRI Forum 2024 22:59

12M ago22:59

22:59

The SVRI Forum 2024 brought together a diverse group of researchers, activists, donors, practitioners, and survivors, united by a shared goal: to create a world free from violence against women and violence against children. In this special episode, we hear from 10 of the incredible voices who attended the Forum in Cape Town, South Africa. These ch…

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S3E11: Activism in Action: The Power of the 16 Days Campaign To End Violence 17:53

1y ago17:53

17:53

The fight against gender-based violence is a 365 day commitment, but for 16 days each year, the global community unites to raise awareness, ignite conversations, and take action during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. In this special co-hosted episode with UN Women, we take a deep dive into the significance of this annual camp…

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Episode 101: Interview with Liberty Thompson from JEM Friends, Inc. (Boise, ID) 48:11

1y ago48:11

48:11

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Liberty Thompson, Executive Director of JEM Friends, Inc. in Boise, Idaho. Liberty shared how her interest in the challenges that youth aging out of care face developed from a friendship with a girl in foster care growing up. She described the four pillars of support that they provide youth: housing, communit…

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S3E10: The Power of Data: Protecting Children from Sexual Violence 28:01

1y ago28:01

28:01

One in five girls and one in seven boys will experience some form of sexual violence before their 18th birthday. These statistics are shocking, and high-quality data is crucial for driving tangible change and reducing these numbers. In this episode, we learn more about the Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS), the largest source of da…

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Episode 100: Interview with Tyila Cooks from Lifebridge Child Advocacy (Midland, GA) 50:45

1y ago50:45

50:45

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Tyila Cooks, Executive Director of Lifebridge Child Advocacy in Midland, Georgia. Tyila shared about her own background, which included adopting foster children to be part of her own family. Started as a ministry, Lifebridge Child Advocacy officially transitioned to a nonprofit in 2021. They serve at-risk you…

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S3E9: The Powerful Journey of Two Activists 46:40

1y ago46:40

46:40

Survivors hold the key to bringing about empowering and systemic change in the field of gender-based violence. Their stories and their voices must be at the forefront of decision making and policymaking. In this episode we hear the stories of two extraordinary activists, Kolbassia Haoussou MBE and Jac sm Kee. Kolbassia is a torture survivor who exp…

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Episode 099: Interview with Amy Navarro with Treehouse (Seattle, WA) 47:10

1y ago47:10

47:10

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Amy Navarro, Director of the Launch Success Program with Treehouse in Seattle. Amy explained her introduction to the challenges of foster care while serving with Americorp and the journey she took to get to her work with Treehouse. Amy's program, Launch Success, takes a three pronged approach to support youth…

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S3E8: How Online Pornography is Fueling Sexual Violence Among Young People 53:53

1y ago53:53

53:53

By the age of 16 more than 90% of boys will have watched online pornography, some even as young as nine. Research is also showing us that exposure to increasingly graphic and violent pornography is influencing the sexual behaviours and attitudes of young people, becoming one of their main sources of sexual education. In this episode we examine the …

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S3E7: Adapting IPV Prevention Programmes: Key Insights and Best Practices 44:17

1+ y ago44:17

44:17

With around 30% of women globally experiencing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), the need for effective and adaptable interventions is more urgent than ever. In response to this need, the SVRI has developed IPV Adaptation Guidance which highlights adaptation is not a one-size-fits-all process; it must be tailored to suit many different cultural, soc…

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Episode 098: Interview with Hannah Hodgson Katzman with Family Harvest Farm (Martinez, CA) 37:34

1+ y ago37:34

37:34

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Hannah Hodgson Katzman, Associate Director of Family Harvest Farm in Martinez, California. Hannah described the mission of her organization, the John Muir Land Trust, which is to protect open spaces. Hannah's program - Family Harvest Farm - is under the John Muir Land Trust umbrella. They utilize 3.5 acres of…

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S3E6: Addressing violence against LGBTQI+ people 48:45

1+ y ago48:45

48:45

Sexual violence can happen to anyone and by anyone, but research shows LGBTQI+ communities are targeted specifically because of their identities. While we have seen huge steps towards fairer treatment of LGBTQI+ people, a widespread anti-gender movement is making it more difficult for organisations to effectively prevent and respond to violence aga…

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Episode 097: Interview with Sherrie Weis with YouthCare (Seattle, WA) 50:33

1+ y ago50:33

50:33

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Sherrie Weis, Case Manager at YouthCare in Seattle, Washington. Sherrie described her organization's mission to help homeless youth, many of whom have a connection with or have aged out of foster care. Sherrie's program is a shelter that supports homeless youth between the ages of 12 and 17, but they also hav…

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Episode 096: Interview with Tige Charity with Kids in the Spotlight (Burbank, CA) 44:27

1+ y ago44:27

44:27

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Tige Charity, CEO of Kids in the Spotlight in Burbank, California. Tige shares about the unique employment support services that Kids in the Spotlight provides youth aging out of foster care, which focuses on skills in the arts and entertainment. We talk about the Script-to-Screen program that culminates in f…

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S3E5 How can we prevent technology facilitated child sexual violence? 41:53

1+ y ago41:53

41:53

Online spaces were not created or designed with children in mind. Children are exposed to all kinds of content on the internet, and interact with strangers daily. As the internet is now ubiquitous in the lives of our children and new technologies emerge rapidly, what can we do to keep them safe from online child sexual violence? In this episode our…

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Episode 095: Interview with Maria Paparella with Chair-ity (Akron, OH) 1:01:34

1+ y ago1:01:34

1:01:34

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Maria Paparella, Founder and Executive Director of Chair-ity in Akron, Ohio. Maria explained the origins and growth of her organization, which provides furniture to youth aging out of foster care and is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this year. We talk about the importance of enabling youth to have choic…

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S3E4 Understanding the psychology of men who use violence 39:54

1+ y ago39:54

39:54

Why do certain men use violence in certain situations? How do they rationalise their actions? And should researchers approach them with empathy? From masculine ideals, to patriarchal structures, to jealousy, there are many psychological, societal and cultural factors at play in these dynamics. In this episode our guests walk us through their experi…

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Episode 094: Interview with Mark Mecum from Ohio Children's Alliance (Columbus, OH) 48:14

1+ y ago48:14

48:14

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Mark Mecum, CEO of Ohio Children's Alliance in Columbus, Ohio. Mark explains the work that his organization does for youth aging out of foster care through the Ohio Bridges Program, the state's extended foster care program. We talk about the importance of prevention so that youth don't have to go into foster …

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Episode 093: Interview with Lee Marshall from Kids to Love (Madison,AL) 56:20

1+ y ago56:20

56:20

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Lee Marshall, CEO and Founder of Kids to Love in Madison, Alabama. Lee describes the path she took to leading Kids to Love and the programs and services that Kids to Love offers youth in foster care, as well as those aging out. She explained KTech, which is a 16-week program that teaches skills to help aged-o…

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S3E3 How can we improve safeguarding against sexual abuse in the humanitarian sector? 31:55

1+ y ago31:55

31:55

Why is it still so hard to talk about sexual exploitation and abuse within humanitarian agencies? What are we doing to safeguard against this kind of violence? While we are slowly building the tools and policies to combat the issues, there are still barriers and challenges the sector needs to address. In this episode we discuss whether attitudes an…

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Episode 092: Interview with Bruce Wingate with Foster Care Furniture (Boise, ID) 43:25

1+ y ago43:25

43:25

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Bruce Wingate, President of Foster Care Furniture in Boise, Idaho. Bruce describes how his organization provides training in woodworking and carpentry for youth who have aged out of foster care. Their nonprofit offers 13 weeks of training in which the youth build products to specifications for a paying client…

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Episode 091: Topic Discussion - Helping Foster Youth Acquire and Retain Employment 54:41

2y ago54:41

54:41

In this episode, Lynn Tonini facilitates a conversation between two individuals connected with organizations that help youth aging out of foster care find and retain employment: Hope Broomham with Jim Riley Outreach (Plano, TX) and Andraya Slyter with The RightWay Foundation (Los Angeles, CA). During this conversation, we talked about different str…

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Episode 090: Interview with Brian Meza with Petra Cares (Cypress, TX) 41:58

2y ago41:58

41:58

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Brian Meza, Executive Director of Petra Cares, a charitable arm of Petra Auto Products based in Cypress, Texas. Brian explained the history of Petra Cares, which provides an automotive foundations course for youth aging out of foster care and assists them with acquiring a job in the automotive industry after …

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S3E2 Are RCTs The Best Way to Evaluate Violence Interventions? 43:30

2y ago43:30

43:30

What works and what doesn’t in reducing violence driven by gender inequality? While many teams around the world search for the perfect intervention methods to address this pervasive issue, finding out whether those interventions actually work is extremely difficult. In this episode we discuss the effectiveness and drawbacks of complex evaluation me…

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S3E1 Making just and inclusive systems for change 37:04

2y ago37:04

37:04

To shift the balance of power and control, to end violence driven by gender inequality, we need deep systemic change. Creating just and inclusive systems for change requires more funding for research - and that funding needs to support the communities at the frontline of violence. In this episode we learn about global collaborative Co-Impact’s radi…

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Racism is a Public Health Crisis: Dr.Reggie Edwards, Brooklyn Center City Manager 52:35

2y ago52:35

52:35

Send us a text In this episode of Racism is a Public Health Crisis, we speak with Dr. Reggie Edwards, the City Manager of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Dr. Edwards, tasked with leading the city through after a tumultuous period marked by the police shooting of Daunte Wright. Together, we discuss his approach to addressing systemic racism and public h…

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Racism is a Public Health Crisis Podcast: James Burroughs Children's Hospital Minnesota 59:35

2y ago59:35

59:35

Send us a text In this episode of Racism is a Public Health Crisis, we feature James C. Burroughs II, the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at Children's Minnesota. Burroughs leads the charge in integrating equity and inclusion in one of the nation’s top pediatric health systems. His work focuses on ensuring equitable care for all patients, creati…