Board Members

Hanna Idriess, MD, MPH, MBA  – President

Hanna is a public health leader with a career rooted in strategic program development, healthcare systems transformation, and business development. As the President of the Maryland Public Health Association (MdPHA), she leads efforts to strengthen Maryland’s public health policies, support local initiatives, and advocate for health equity and community well-being. She serves on several boards and task forces, including the Committee on Women’s Rights for the American Public Health Association (APHA), where she previously served as a two- term chair, ensuring that women’s voices remain central to public health conversations and policies.

With a strong background in disease prevention and control, maternal and child health, and global health program design, Hanna has contributed to transforming healthcare systems and managing high-impact public health projects. Her work spans multidisciplinary team leadership, funding strategy, and partnership development, driving initiatives that improve healthcare access and outcomes. 

Hanna lives in Maryland, where she actively supports local public health efforts and enjoys raising her two children. 

At home, Hanna is just as busy being the ultimate sideline cheerleader for her kids, who are passionately pursuing their dreams in music and sports. She jokes that her house often feels like a mix of a symphony hall and a sports arena—but whether it’s a performance or a game, she’s always there cheering them on with pride. 

Fluent in English and Arabic, with conversational proficiency in Hindi, Urdu, and Hausa, and currently learning French and Spanish, Hanna values effective communication, building connections, fostering collaboration, and leading initiatives that create a healthier, more equitable world—starting right here in Maryland.

Cesia Portillo, MPH- Secretary

Cesia Portillo is a dedicated advocate in the field of public health, specializing in kidney health education and prevention in at-risk populations. With a Master in Public Health degree and certification as a Health Education Specialist (CHES), Cesia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as the Kidney Health Initiative Program Coordinator at the American Society of Nephrology.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, she is committed to bridging language barriers to reach diverse populations with culturally sensitive messaging. Cesia’s work is driven by her unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes and reducing disparities. She strives to continue her efforts in education communities, empowering individuals to take control of their health, and advocating for policies that support preventative healthcare initiatives

Michelle Glover-Brown, MPH, RS, EMT  – Affiliate Representative to the Governing Council (ARGC)

As a retired NYS public health administrator, I am eager to learn and share with others. My area of public health expertise is working with employers to develop policies and procedures to reduce workplace injuries and improve employee health. An important element of improving workplace health and safety is incorporating workplace wellness programs as a part of the overall environmental health and safety (EHS) OSHA compliance program. Pre-existing medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes can profoundly impact an employee and their performance in the workplace. Creating a more holistic environmental, health and safety environment in the workplace will aid in promoting workplace equity and improvement in individuals' overall well-being. 

I am optimistic and passionate and desire to improve health and safety in the workplace and reduce the incidence of preventable disease and illness within the community.

Jonas Nguh, PhD, MSN, FACHE, NEA-BC, RN – Immediate Past President

Dr. Nguh is a global health scholar and practitioner. His scope of practice has been in maternal newborn and child health programs, immunization, family planning and reproductive health, nutrition, health systems strengthening, water/sanitation/hygiene, malaria, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and pediatric HIV care and treatment in Sub-Saharan countries and low resource countries. Dr. Nguh has taught and worked in more than 20 countries. Dr. Nguh is a distinguished faculty with professorships in six international universities. He teaches primarily in Public Health and Nursing programs where he chairs doctoral and masters prepared students. Dr. Nguh is the former Executive Dean of the School of Health Professions at the University of Providence. He holds a PhD in Public Health, a Master of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Dr. Nguh holds several certifications including Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executive, the National Academy of Practice, and board certified as a Nurse Executive, Advanced by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. 

Genevieve Barrow Gongar -- At Large Board Member

Genevieve Barrow Gongar is an accomplished health program manager and strategist with over

20 years of public health leadership experience (U.S. and international). She serves as the

Director for HIV/STI Prevention at the Baltimore City Health Department. In this capacity, she

oversees a large portfolio of federal and state grants aimed at decreasing the incidence of HIV

and ensuring that those diagnosed are linked to care. Her role includes oversight of departmental

and implementing partners’ HIV programs, community outreach for HIV/STI testing and

education, community engagement and mobilization, and the viral hepatitis program. She leads

the continuous quality improvement work group and facilitates capacity building. Genevieve

believes in the transformational power of harnessing community voices as the anchor of public

policy and serves as the manager of the city’s HIV Planning Group and Commission and the

department’s liaison for Baltimore City’s community-driven Undetectable=Untransmittable

campaign. She also co-chairs the health department's health equity committee and participates in

Baltimore-based community health advisory groups.

Genevieve earned a Master of Science in Biostatistics from the University of Pittsburgh

Graduate School of Public Health and has an undergraduate degree in mathematics. She has

previously worked to design and implement several global health programs in sub-Saharan

Africa and held positions of statistician at the University of Pittsburgh Epidemiology Data

Center and research and evaluation specialist at the Maryland State Department of Education.

She was a member of the 2019 cohort of NASTAD's Minority Leadership Program and the 2022

recipient of the Baltimore City Health Department’s Employee Leadership Award. Her passion

for health equity led to the founding of Shaping Health Equity, Inc., an organization focused on

improving health outcomes for Black women and girls. Genevieve enjoys applying her critical

thinking and analytical skills to program design, implementation, and improvement.

Cassandra Chess, MPH – At Large Board Member

I am currently serving in my first term as an At Large Board Member. I currently work for the U.S. DHHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) as a Public Health Analyst serving as a Project Officer overseeing grant programs. I have a background in HIV/AIDS prevention, sexual and reproductive health education, program management, and program development. Aside from my work experience, I am involved in other community service focused organizations. That includes the NAACP Prince George's County Branch’s Women in the NAACP committee and Top Ladies of Distinction Prince George’s County Chapter UNCF and NCNW committees. Between 2010 – 2019, I served as a member of the Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association (MWPHA), two years (2015 – 2017) as the President. I also served four years as the Affiliate Representative representing MWPHA on the American Public Health Association (APHA) Governing Council and two years on the APHA Coalition of Affiliates (CoA) as an At Large member and CoA representative on the APHA Nominations Committee. As a longtime Prince George’s County resident I am looking forward to having an opportunity to address the health inequities in the county through my participation in MdPHA.

Alexandra DiOrio, MPH, CHES – At-Large Board Member

I am a doctoral student in the maternal and child health program at the University of Maryland, College Park. My research interests include access to reproductive health services, maternal health outcomes, and mental health outcomes. Prior to pursuing my doctoral degree, I worked for nine years in a variety of settings including a regional health insurance company, a reproductive health non-profit, the public health higher education accreditor, and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health. I became a member of MdPHA in 2021 and have enjoyed meeting fellow Maryland public health professionals and working together to improve the health of our state residents. In 2022 and 2023 I served as the board secretary and am excited to serve as an at-large member!

 Yale Friedman – Student Representative

My journey in the public health sector began in 2015, when I began studying in the American University's Public Health program. My key interest areas include topics such as oral health, mental health, infectious disease control, and pharmacy, many of which I am currently exploring in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the George Washington University. It has been an extremely rewarding experience to collaborate with and learn from instructors and classmates from a variety of disciplines all over the world. We all have a common goal to achieve health equity on a global scale. One of the most notable experiences I have had thus far was the MPH practicum experiential component, for which I had the opportunity to intern for the Director of Infection Control and Prevention at Suburban Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine. In addition to these experiences in academia, I am thrilled to be serving the MdPHA Board as this year’s Student Representative. In this role, my goal is to act as a leader and mentor for other students who wish to explore the field of public health to ultimately give back to the community on a grand scale. What an honor it is to represent an organization whose mission is to promote and advocate for health equity to improve health outcomes, especially among underserved populations.

Lillian Agbeyegbe, DrPH – At Large Board Member

Dr. Lillian Agbeyegbe is a public health practitioner with over decades of experience in program planning and implementation. She earned her Doctor of Public Health degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center and her Master of Public Health (MPH) in Community Health Education from The City University of New York – Hunter College. She earned her Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Economics from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.

Dr. Agbeyegbe has worked on the issues that disproportionately affect women, including human trafficking, healthy housing, homelessness, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, and female genital mutilation.

Dr. Agbeyegbe is the founder of The Rest Of A Life (TROAL) and has served on many boards, including the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV) and Court Watch Montgomery County. She is currently serving a third-term as a Governor's appointee on the Maryland Family Violence Council. She also was a Senior Community Engagement Manager on the Strategic Initiative on Sex Trafficking team at Polaris, a leading national anti-trafficking organization.

Dr. Agbeyegbe is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and is also Certified in Public Health (CPH).

Ilona Argirion Kabara, PhD, MPH – At Large Board Member, Advocacy Committee Co-Chair

I am excited to be serving my first term as the advocacy committee chair and at large board member for MdPHA. I am an epidemiologist currently working as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics. My expertise lies at the cross-section between descriptive and molecular epidemiology with a focus on cancer, infectious etiology and global public health. As a recent transplant from the midwest, I am excited to meet fellow Maryland public health professionals and become more engaged in the translation of scientific research into health policy. In my role, I hope to do what I can to advocate for and improve the health of our state residents.

Victoria Revelle– At Large Board Member

Rael Odengo, PhD- At Large Board Member

Dr. Rael Kobe Odengo, a Global Health Communications Specialist based in Maryland, is an experienced health educator, skilled researcher, and human-centered design facilitator. Professionally, Dr. Odengo has over 19 years of experience in journalism, social behavior change communications, community engagement, health equity, social science research, and public health. She has led the coordination, planning, preparation, presentation, and evaluation of numerous public health campaigns, focusing on family planning, monkeypox, and COVID-19. 

Dr. Odengo received her PhD in Global Health Education and Promotion from Walden University, where her research focused on global health literacy. She specifically explored the barriers and facilitators to obtaining culturally appropriate cancer health education among Kenyan immigrants in Washington State. She also holds a Master’s in Communications from Maseno University and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Nairobi. 

With a wealth of experience in designing and coordinating public health education programs, Dr. Odengo has crafted health education interventions, behavioral change communication strategies, and advocacy tools to promote healthy behaviors and policies. She has also successfully managed grants and contracts throughout her career. 

Dr. Odengo is the Health Equity Communications and Access Lead for the Washington State Department of Health's Community Relations and Equity team. In this role, she leads the development of culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach strategies, accessible systems, and clear information pathways for people with limited English proficiency and disabilities. Her experience includes managing family planning projects in Nigeria with Johns Hopkins University and leading social behavior change communication initiatives in Kenya before relocating to the U.S. in 2015. Notably, her leadership on a family planning project in Kenya resulted in an 11% increase in service uptake across six regions. Additionally, while at PATH-Kenya, she oversaw the production of a 256-episode radio program that reached over 5 million listeners across multiple counties.

Chidera Anigabor, MPH- At-Large Board Member

Chidera Anigabor, MPH, is a visionary leader and Population Health Strategist with a steadfast commitment to advancing public health equity and fostering community well-being. With over seven years of experience in public health and healthcare administration, she has successfully spearheaded innovative initiatives that bridge gaps in care and empower underserved populations.

Ms. Anigabor holds a Master’s in Public Health Nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, equipping her with a robust foundation in nutrition science, program design, and data-driven evaluation. As a Healthcare Administrator at Premier Health Group, she has established operational excellence, driven communication strategies, and optimized resource allocation, contributing significantly to organizational growth and improved patient outcomes. Her strategic insights have led to the successful design and implementation of programs addressing pressing public health issues, including childhood obesity and cervical cancer disparities.

Beyond her administrative accomplishments, Ms. Anigabor is deeply engaged in advocacy and policy work. She serves as a Policy Committee Member and Chair of the WIC Work Group at the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN), where she has contributed to impactful policy recommendations, including input on WIC food packages, the FDA’s voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals, and the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. As an active member of the American Public Health Association (APHA), she collaborates with diverse stakeholders to advance equitable health policies.

In her volunteer role as a Public Health Nutritionist at FCFA Global, Ms. Anigabor has demonstrated her commitment to community health by designing educational programs and advocating for food security. Her ability to blend strategic leadership with hands-on community engagement reflects her holistic approach to addressing health disparities.

Ms. Anigabor’s dedication to lifelong learning and innovation is exemplified by her ongoing doctoral studies at Morehouse School of Medicine, where she continues to explore transformative solutions for public health challenges. As a newly elected MdPHA Board Member, she is eager to leverage her expertise, passion, and collaborative spirit to drive meaningful improvements in health outcomes across Maryland.

Dr. Oluwatosin Olateju, DrPH, MSN, BSN, RN- At-Large Member

Dr. Oluwatosin Olateju is a renowned global health leader who currently teaches as a Nursing Professor at Coppin State University. She has spearheaded numerous health initiatives addressing infectious disease prevention, family health, nutrition, and sexual and reproductive health for diverse populations. Additionally, she is a dedicated mentor, public health researcher, and health policy advocate.

Dr. Olateju founded Food and Care for All (FCFA) in 2019, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing food security and equitable healthcare for underserved communities in Maryland and Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2021, she launched the Meals for Kidz Initiative in Nigeria, an FCFA-affiliated NGO that collaborates with local schools to ensure underprivileged children receive the nutrition necessary for learning.

Dr. Olateju obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Community & Public Health Nursing from the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON). She also received a Doctor of Public Health degree from Morgan State University, specializing in Health Policy and Management.

Dr. Olateju is an alumnus of the Paul Ambrose Scholarship Program and a Fellow of the American Public Health Association-Kaiser Permanente Community Health Program. She has extensively published and presented on the international, national, and regional levels and has served within many national, state, and local professional agencies. Dr. Olateju has earned numerous prestigious honors throughout her career, including the Feleta Wilson Social Justice Award in 2024 from the American Public Health Association, the Public Health Leadership Award in 2024 from the Maryland Public Health Association, and the Top Nurses 2020 Award from Baltimore Magazine.

In 2023, she was appointed by Governor Wes Moore to serve as co-chair of Maryland's inaugural Commission on Public Health, a position she continues to hold.

Kerry Green, PhD- At-Large Board Member

Dr. Kerry M. Green is currently a Professor and Chair of the Department of Behavioral and Community Health at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. She joined the faculty in August 2007 as an Assistant Professor after completing a post-doctoral fellowship in Prevention Science at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. As a prevention scientist, her research concentrates on improving the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations. Much of her work focuses on identifying the causes of health disparities over the life course among urban Americans. Her research is concentrated in two major areas: (1) risk and protective factors, including structural factors, over the life course and (2) the interrelationship of substance use, mental health, crime, and sexual health over the life course. Almost all of her work utilizes longitudinal cohorts, mostly urban cohorts followed from childhood to adulthood. Much of her work has been with the Woodlawn Study, a community cohort study that began in 1965. She coordinated the midlife follow-up (age 42) in 2002-03, and led the age 62 follow-up with funding from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). This 5-year R01 provides an unprecedented opportunity to take a life course perspective to prospectively examine how factors in childhood predict aging outcomes in urban Americans. She has published extensively on this data with continuous NIH funding since 2006 from such institutes as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). 

In addition to the research, teaching, and mentoring at UMD, she co-leads the early career mentoring program for the Society for Prevention Research. This program matches early career scholars with senior prevention scientist mentors, as well as facilitates an introduction to prevention science for undergraduate students. She was elected to the Maryland Public Health Association's board in 2025 and is serving on the membership and student committees.

Melanie Bolden, MPH – Climate and Health Coordinator

Hi everyone! I am currently a doctoral student at Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health, concentrating in Environmental Health. Originally from New Orleans, I earned a BS in Biology at the University of Arkansas and an MPH in Epidemiology at SUNY-Albany. I am also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and served in Mozambique, working primarily on HIV/AIDS and malaria projects from 2013 to 2015. With a range of previous public health experiences and research interests, I look forward to working with the chapter on its climate action goals and initiatives as Climate and Health Coordinator!