Hassanatu Blake, PhD, MPH, MBA., is a public health professional with over 15 years in spearheading innovative initiatives at the nexus of public health, educational technology, and social impact. She is a thought leader and catalyst for change, coupled with a unique blend of academic achievements and practical and research experience. 

In her current role as Director of Health Equity & Social Justice at the National Association of County & City Health Officials, Dr. Blake was instrumental in leading a $15.3M CDC-funded project to build COVID health equity infrastructure. Her role involves introducing cutting-edge technology, such as AI chatbots, to enhance training programs and streamline organizational processes for increased efficiency and impact. 

Dr. Blake also serves as an Adjunct Professor at both Tufts University School of Medicine and Brooklyn College; and as a researcher at University of Alabama Birmingham School of Public Health, focused on the use of social media for HIV prevention among female sex workers in Cameroon. She was appointed in 2023 by Maryland Governor Wes Moore to the Maryland Health Care Commission as a Health Commissioner.

Hassanatu was recognized for her wealth of expertise by the US White House Champions of Change Initiative under the Obama Administration; has been featured in Black Enterprise; has been a TEDx Speaker; and has served as a keynote speaker at numerous education, business, and tech conferences, and at leading institutions of higher education.

Hassanatu Blake has a BA from Tufts University, a MPH from Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, a MBA from Plymouth State University, and a PhD from University of Alabama Birmingham School of Public Health.