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Audra was motivated to explore policy as an avenue for social impact following her time in higher education and nonprofit grant writing. She is especially interested in mental and behavioral health services in schools, reducing stigmas associated with mental illness, and improving access to treatment for Oklahomans of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Before joining HMPI, she worked as a grant writer and consultant for clients across a variety of sectors, including healthcare, animal welfare, and education. She also spent time working in universities as a research fellow and marketing specialist with a focus on supporting and promoting international education. Audra graduated summa cum laude from the University of Oklahoma with her BA and MA in International Studies and minors in Spanish and Latin American Studies. In 2018, she was awarded OU’s Big Woman on Campus and Letzeiser Bronze Medal honors.
Joi-Michelle brings experience from various spaces involving advocacy, research, and community development. She is passionate about all things mental health, desiring to support innovative approaches to mental health treatment, policy, and program development. With a background in social work, her interest areas include adolescent mental health, suicide prevention, peer support models, and trauma-informed care.
A native of Memphis, Tenn., Joi-Michelle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Oral Roberts University. Her past experiences include work with Mental Health Association Oklahoma, Oklahoma Policy Institute, and the George Kaiser Family Foundation. She has spoken at national conferences and is a previous member of Mental Health America’s Collegiate Mental Health Innovation Council, helping to produce a report on mental health and disability policy in higher education. She is a current member of Tulsa’s Youth Mental Health and Family Resilience Commission with the Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Equity and has plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Social Work and/or Public Health.
Anna brings a strong background working in patient care and within various health systems to her role as Fellow, and is eager to utilize her knowledge and experiences in contributing to improvements around integrated/collaborative care. Anna’s other focuses within the Fellowship will include maternal mental health and the behavioral health workforce in Oklahoma. Anna has a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Washington University in St. Louis.
Post-fellowship career: Anna is currently attending medical at Kaiser Permanente and looks forward to continuing this work as a medical student and physician.
Troy has worked in a variety of health research roles, including positions with the federal government, academia, and county-level programs. Troy is interested in improving health outcomes, especially among vulnerable populations. To this end, his research has engaged many types of Americans—including the elderly, people of color, low-income neighborhoods, and people experiencing homelessness. Troy holds a dual degree in psychology and the sociology of law, crime, and deviance; this degree includes a minor in computer science, which he hopes to eventually promote into a masters in computational social science.
In previous positions, Maggie worked in the legal field, higher education administration and the nonprofit sector. In 2018, Maggie spent time at the City of Tulsa as a consultant authoring Resilient Tulsa, an action-oriented strategy designed to advance equity in Tulsa. Maggie has a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma and Bachelor of Arts from Seattle Pacific University.
Policy interest areas: Addiction treatment issues, preventative programs, and maternal mental health. In her earlier work, Maggie developed interests in family dynamics and stability, economic security-related stress, and inter-generational trauma.
Post-fellowship career: Policy Analyst, Healthy Minds Policy Initiative; Government Affairs Director, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Brittany’s past experience includes clerking at the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, interning at the Tulsa County Public Defender’s Office, and participating in community advocacy and immigration clinics at the University of Tulsa College of Law. Before attending law school, Brittany taught history and coached competitive speech and debate in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Brittany graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2018 with Highest Honor. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Oklahoma State University.
Policy interest areas: Civil and criminal justice systems as well as all levels of education.
Post-fellowship career: Policy Analyst, Healthy Minds Policy Initiative; Policy Director, Healthy Minds Policy Initiative