Leyla McCurdy, MPhil

Senior Director, Health & Environment Program

Leyla serves as the environmental health expert for the organization and directs program activities, including the Health Care Provider Initiative which employs a strategic framework to integrate environmental health into health care.  In addition, she currently serves as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Public Health Nursing Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Previously she directed the American Lung Association's national programs. She has served on several governmental and non-governmental committees and expert panels, given numerous presentations, organized trainings and developed a variety of environmental health publications. A chemist by training, her 20 years of professional experience in health and environment also includes product management for the Johnson & Johnson health care products and environment, health, & safety affairs for the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association.

Jane Chang, MPH

Program Coordinator, Health & Environment Program

Jane works closely with the Senior Health Director, Leyla McCurdy, assisting in the development and implementation of health programs while providing logistical support on all aspects of NEEF’s work. Prior to joining NEEF, Jane attended George Washington University where she obtained her Master's of Public Health in the Community Oriented Primary Care track. She also spent time as a Project Associate at the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved. Jane received her Bachelor's of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2007.

Kate Winterbottom, MPH

Project Consultant, Health & Environment Program

Kate coordinates the Children & Nature Initiative and the Climate Change Initiative at NEEF, and is involved in research and writing about the health benefits of nature. She now holds an MPH in Environmental Health Policy from Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and received her Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Biology and Environmental Policy from Tulane in 2007. Kate has had a long-standing interest in the environment and public health, working to promote environmental awareness during the summers as a camp counselor at a nature center and volunteering at an environmental justice nonprofit in Louisiana.

Marissa Tonelli

Intern, Health & Environment Program

Marissa joined NEEF in September and has been assisting across all aspects of the Health program.  In the past Marissa has interned with Project Health's Family Help Desk located at the Children's National Medical Center, as well as with Caritas, while she was studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Marissa will recieve her Bachelor's of Science in Public Health from the George Washington University in May 2010.