Meet Our 2026 Open Forum Award Winners

Catalyst Award

Shawnee Duncan

Shawnee Duncan has served as the Accreditation and Performance Management Coordinator for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services since 2023. In this role, she provides leadership for the department’s Lean Six Sigma Team and oversees quality improvement, performance management, and re-accreditation initiatives. Shawnee is deeply committed to driving innovation, enhancing operational efficiency, and advancing a culture of organizational performance.

Over the past year, Shawnee has led the development and implementation of a comprehensive performance management system designed to streamline strategic planning, track department-wide and unit-level metrics, and automate the program description process for the budget cycle. This initiative has already saved the department more than 100 hours of staff time and established a cohesive framework that connects all departmental performance measures, supporting more informed decision-making and improved accountability.

Dynamic Duo Award

Erika Gutiérrez Martínez

Erika Gutiérrez Martínez serves as the Assistant Director for the City of Laredo Public Health Department. She has worked in Public Health Administration for over 15 years, focusing in the areas of human resources, workforce development, fiscal management, and operations. She oversees multiple divisions including Administration, Fiscal Management, Epidemiology, and Community Health. She serves on various committees that promote inclusivity and workforce development. She has a diverse background that includes operations and management, entrepreneurial business consulting, logistics, marketing, fitness training, and folkloric dance. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Management from Texas A&M International University, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. She has obtained certifications in Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP), Public Management (CPM), Community Health (CHW), and is Certified in Public Health (CPH).

Carla Alvarez

Carla Alvarez serves as the Operations Manager for the City of Laredo Public Health Department. She has worked in public health for four years, focusing on workforce development, training, and leadership development. She oversees employee training, volunteer coordination, and professional development. She began her career in education before transitioning into public health, where she has contributed to the development of training programs. She led the design of a Community Health Worker Training Program certified by the Texas Department of State Health Services. She holds a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Lamar University. She is a certified Community Health Worker Instructor (CHWI), is Certified in Public Health (CPH), and is currently pursuing the Certified Public Manager (CPM) designation.

NxGen Leader Award

Rachel Millán Rodríguez

Rachel Millán Rodríguez, is an epidemiologist currently serving as Community Engagement Team Lead at the Puerto Rico Public Health Institute (PRPHI). Her experience spans infectious disease surveillance, COVID-19 response, mental health and trauma-informed initiatives, health and digital literacy, data management, and community-based public health programs. She is passionate about transforming data into meaningful action, making complex information accessible to diverse audiences, and connecting communities with the knowledge and resources they need to support their well-being. Through collaboration, innovation, and community engagement, her work seeks to strengthen public health practice and improve health outcomes across Puerto Rico.

Performance Improvement Champion

Tiffani Stewart

Tiffani A. Stewart, M.S., is the director of quality management for the Detroit Health Department and is responsible for the overall direction, coordination and implementation of quality improvement and accreditation initiatives. She led the successful completion of the 2025 Community Health Assessment and designed the 2026 Community Health Improvement Plan. In partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, she oversaw the implementation of Michigan’s Roadmap to Healthy Communities, including the inaugural social determinants of health hub pilot and the Good Housing=Good Health program.

Prior to joining the health department, Tiffany held a position as senior performance improvement advisor at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, where she worked to operationalize Lean Six Sigma and project management tools for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. Additionally, Tiffani’s background includes working at the University of Michigan-based Center for Health and Research Transformation and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Breast Oncology Collaborative Quality Initiative. Tiffany earned her Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Science in Quality Management from Eastern Michigan University. She earned her Lean Healthcare certification from the University of Michigan and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification from Lawrence Technological University.

PHIG Impact Award

Semilla Neal

Semilla “Mia” Neal is a recognized public health leader with over 20 years of experience advancing operational excellence, systems improvement, and data-driven evaluation across government and non-profit sectors. Drawing from a Master of Public Administration, Mia brings a rare blend of strategic vision, operational precision, and collaborative energy to every initiative she leads. Ms. Neal has presented and facilitated state-wide conferences and led community coalitions focused on public health innovation. Her expertise spans strategic planning, project management, and grant compliance, making her a trusted leader in translating complex data into actionable public health solutions. As the current Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) Evaluator at the Southern Nevada Health District, she has strengthened grant administration, improved data integrity, and enhanced operational efficiency. Whether leading multi-agency coalitions or cross-functional teams, Mia creates spaces where ideas flourish, stakeholders align, and solutions emerge.