HARTFORD, Conn. (April 28, 2025) – Sabrina Selk, an expert in health equity, public health, and community engagement, is joining the Connecticut Health Foundation as the director of policy.
Selk joins the foundation from the National Network of Public Health Institutes, where she served as director of health and racial equity. She led a team that provided technical assistance and training for local and state public health agencies. She previously served as director of the Office of Health Equity in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, where her leadership work included developing data standards, a community engagement framework, and the LGBTQ Working Group.
Selk’s experience also includes serving as associate director of applied research at the National Institute for Children’s Health Quality. In addition, Selk served for nine years as a commissioner on the Cambridge Human Rights Commission in Massachusetts.
As the director of policy, Selk will oversee the foundation’s policy agenda, working with grantees, policymakers, and other partners to advance health equity through policy development and implementation. She will support grantees in their advocacy work and serve as a resource for policymakers.
“Sabrina will be an exceptional addition to our team, and we are excited for our grantees and partners to get to know her,” said Tiffany Donelson, president and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation. “She brings a deep understanding of health equity, public health, and how state and local governments can work with community organizations to create policy change that will improve people’s lives. We are thrilled to have her join the foundation.”
“There are both tremendous areas of need and tremendous opportunities for improving health across the state. I’m excited to be joining a community of changemakers dedicated to a vision where everyone can achieve their optimal health outcomes,” Selk said. “For decades, Connecticut Health Foundation has been a pillar of the philanthropic community in Connecticut. I am honored for the chance to support their mission to improve the health of all Connecticut residents and ensure health equity.”
Selk received her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Washington, and received both a Master of Science and doctorate from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Her first day at the foundation is Monday, April 28.
For more information, please contact Arielle Levin Becker at arielle@cthealth.org or 860-724-1580 x 116.
About the Connecticut Health Foundation
The Connecticut Health Foundation is the state’s largest independent health philanthropy dedicated to improving health outcomes for people of color. Since its creation in 1999, the foundation has awarded more than $80 million to nonprofit organizations and public entities to expand health equity, reduce health disparities, expand health coverage, and improve the health of all Connecticut residents.