By Kelley Skumautz, MAExecutive Director, HPHC
In March 2024, HPHC welcomed Kelley Skumautz, MA, as our first full-time executive director.
HPHC is grateful to Brenna Doheny, PhD, MPH, for enthusiastically and steadfastly leading the organization through key milestones as both volunteer executive director and board chair. Moving forward, Brenna will focus on her role as board chair to continue advancing HPHC’s impact.
Whether you’ve been with HPHC since the beginning or you’re newly looking to get involved, read on for a welcome note from Kelley!
Saying a happy hello with ideas about being grounded in belonging and co-creating HPHC’s next chapter.
Joining HPHC is a kind of homecoming. I have been in organizational development for (gulp) three decades, and my life has been building toward this moment for some time.
It is an honor to hold this position — it is a great fit that comes at an excellent time where professional acumen meets with an academic growth spurt. While my primary interest is to establish sustainable infrastructure and systems with HPHC, I am also pursuing licensure for clinical counseling (with a focus on anti-oppression and climate grief) on a part-time basis.
My job is to gel and shape the years of visioning and piloting put forth by HPHC leaders into collaborative, achievable, and ongoing actions. The past work of HPHC leaders has ensured our organization has the energy and resources to continue as long as our work is needed and necessary.
It’s time to ‘belong and be long’
The witness and wisdom of health professionals as frontline experts belongs at the forefront of shaping the narrative of climate resiliency. Each HPHC member and affiliate belongs to the commitment of doing no harm. We’re building our base to be inclusive, growing, and representative. We belong to one another and will show up responsively.
Power belongs in the hands of the people, and dismantling racism and systemic oppression belongs at the center of equitable processes and decision-making. We know this will be a long haul, and we will be there every step of the way.
HPHC’s next phase is about reaching out and intentional centering. We will reconnect and convene with people and organizations throughout the state to canvas ideas unique to communities. We will imagine and implement actionable priorities as they intersect with HPHC’s report, Climate Justice and Public Health in Minnesota: Equitable Solutions to the Climate Crisis.
This will take time. It starts now with co-creating mini epicenters of the movement where this work is needed most.
HPHC’s leadership team established core programming in advocacy, education, and climate-smart healthcare that focuses on climate justice and addressing impacts of air pollution, drought, extreme heat, floods, infectious illness and disease, mental health, and more. All of these have had detrimental effects and also come with viable solutions.
Building a movement, one piece at a time
For 10 years, HPHC has empowered people and driven initiatives across the state. We have learned a lot and have given abundantly. We were recognized by prominent funders who noticed our persistence and offered resources to certify our independence and mission.
We now have the stability and latitude for deeper, more impactful work — and I invite you to join us.
I look forward to holding space and effort together under a shared vision and culture of belonging. When people ask for HPHC’s experience, guidance, and participation, we will be there. Likewise, as we are are gathering momentum and reaching out, we ask you to support our work, get more involved, and invite others to get to know us as well.
With a happy hello and much appreciation,
Kelley
My inbox is always open for your ideas, questions, and connection.
Reach me at info@hpforhc.org.
Interested in getting to know or reconnecting with HPHC?
Join us on June 10 at Summit Brewing for HPHC’s annual ‘We’re Not Happy About Climate Change’ Happy Hour!
Hear from key climate legislators, win door prizes, and meet other health and science professionals.
