Phyllis D. Meadows

As a senior fellow with the Detroit Program, Phyllis D. Meadows engages in all levels of grantmaking activity. Since joining The Kresge Foundation in 2009, she has advised the Detroit and Health teams on the development of its overall strategic direction and provided leadership in the design and implementation of grantmaking initiatives and projects. Phyllis also has coached team members and created linkages to national organizations and experts in the health field. In addition, she regularly reviews grant proposals, aids prospective grantees in preparing funding requests, and provides health-related expertise. Phyllis has led the foundation’s Emerging Leaders and Public Health Program, advises and supports the development of cross-team programming efforts with the Detroit, Environment and Human Services programs.

“As a health professional, it is gratifying to see that Kresge recognizes the importance of public health and has made a major commitment to investing in the sector,” Phyllis says. “This is a fabulous opportunity for me to work on the ground floor with a major national foundation in shaping the direction and scope of its philanthropic funding for health.”

Phyllis’ 30-year career spans the nursing, public health, academic, and philanthropic sectors. She is the former associate dean for practice at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health and clinical professor in health management and policy – where she designed and implemented community-based health strategies, evaluation, research and courses on leadership, policy, population health and health equity. Phyllis’ work in public health includes serving as deputy director and then director/public health officer for the city of Detroit. In addition to serving as adjunct faculty with Wayne State’s and Oakland University’s Schools of Nursing, Phyllis’ professional experience includes leadership roles across the health sector, working to deliver programs and services with an array of multi-disciplinary professionals in health, education and human services. Phyllis was selected for the Kellogg International Leadership Program – Group I. After completing the three-year fellowship, she joined the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as a program director working to advance quality programs for children and youth in education and higher education, and communities nationally and internationally. She maintains an active advisory role on several national, statewide initiatives and boards that focus on improving the health of marginalized and low-income communities.

Photo: Douglas Schaible