Foundation Welcomes Executive Director of Build Missouri Health
Hall Ratliff Poised to Chart Course, Shape Nonprofit
ST. LOUIS, MO (July 6) –Missouri Foundation for Health today announced that nonprofit Build Missouri Health (BMH) welcomes Jasmine N. Hall Ratliff as its inaugural executive director. Jasmine begins in her role on July 11, 2022.
About BMH
BMH, a 501(c)(3), was established in 2018 as a subsidiary of Missouri Foundation for Health. At first glance, the organizations share much in common; Dr. Dwayne Proctor serves as the CEO for both, and they share some board members.
However, distinctions in focus and scope will differentiate their work. BMH can generate national partnerships and take advantage of funding streams that are not available to MFH as a 501(c)(4). Where MFH works within a specific geographic footprint on highly defined strategic initiatives, BMH is structured to be both flexible and nimble, responding organically to support mission-aligned organizations focused on health equity issues that are not currently part of the Foundation’s work.
Interactions and field research from MFH found areas of opportunity for BMH, including topics such as public health workforce expansion (a need that was highlighted during the pandemic), healthy and affordable housing, and climate justice. While the nonprofit’s board will work with Jasmine to distill their mission and priorities, BMH has already shown that it can respond quickly to support local health equity initiatives.
One example is its support of the COVID-19 Regional Response Team. At its inception, the community-centered team needed to move quickly while simultaneously building out its infrastructure. BMH provided administrative processes to manage funds and mobilized partners to form a cohesive local response to the pandemic. The project may serve as a model for future collaborations.
Another BMH project involves providing fiscal support to Green City Coalition, a large-scale effort to restore parks and public spaces in St. Louis, in partnership with neighborhood residents. Working together with St. Louis City, St. Louis Development Corporation, Missouri Department of Conservation, and the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, the coalition co-creates and conserves green spaces in order to promote healthy communities and support environmental equity.
About Jasmine Hall Ratliff
Over the past decade, Jasmine’s work has focused on racial equity and removing systemic barriers to health and well-being for everyone. She returns to MFH after working at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and with Keecha Harris and Associates, Inc. for the past two years.
During her 10 years at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, she led various projects, including the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project and the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids. She also secured funding for a national initiative to decrease childhood obesity among American Indians and Alaska Natives.
In Missouri, Jasmine served as the team lead for the women’s health funding program that was previously at MFH and was heavily involved in the initial stages of the Foundation’s efforts to provide dental care to children. Jasmine has also worked with CHIPS Health and Wellness Center, supplying grant program oversight, and managing fundraising activities for their youth educators.
Hall Ratliff brings a demonstrated commitment to health equity to her new role. Her passion for and understanding of systems change and the broad collaboration it takes for real transformation to happen are what make her a natural fit for BMH.
“As the inaugural executive director, I have a unique opportunity to mold BMH from the ground up. I’m excited to partner with a broad coalition of leaders and build capacity around our shared opportunities. Together we can work to position Missouri at the forefront on health equity across the country,” she said.
“Jasmine comes to us with a decade and a half of philanthropic experience and shares the values that guide our work here at MFH,” said President and CEO Dr. Dwayne Proctor. “Her leadership will be invaluable in helping us get the BMH off the ground and running. Filling this position is an important step toward achieving health equity in Missouri. I’m confident BMH will flourish under Jasmine’s leadership.”
Joan Bray, BMH board chairperson and current MFH board member, concurred with Dr. Proctor’s assessment. “We are so excited to welcome Jasmine to BMH,” said Joan. “She brings local and national connections that will be key in creating a sturdy infrastructure for BMH’s work in Missouri and the region.”
Hall Ratliff earned her master’s degree in health administration from Saint Louis University’s College for Public Health and Social Justice, where she was also an adjunct professor.
