Shelia Reich

The amplification of community voice and leadership is central to achieving health equity for all North Carolinians. As Director, Racial Equity and Healthy Communities, Shelia’s role is to provide capacity building, technical assistance, and resource connections for our partners, as they work to mobilize their communities to identify and act on, the root causes of poor health and health disparities. Shelia’s professional journey reflects a diverse range of roles, having spent the past 20+ years working directly with, or on behalf of, communities and marginalized populations.

She most recently served as the Executive Director of Youth Thrive, a Wake County cross-sector collaborative. Prior to this, she was the Deputy Director for National Expansion with the Carrera Program - an evidence-based, federally funded demonstration. Additional organizational experiences include the American Red Cross and the National Black Women’s Health Project. She holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University; she also has an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from Duke University. Shelia also serves on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Network of Grantmakers (NCNG).

What I love about my work:
I feel privileged to have the opportunity to work alongside communities, supporting them in their efforts to define, demand, and achieve optimal health. Having communities represented in positions of power is work I can get behind and support with every ounce of my professional commitment and personal conviction.

When not at my desk:
You will find me spending time with the joys of my life, my husband Jason and my son Collin.

Favorite thing about North Carolina:
My favorite thing about North Carolina is the diversity of experiences that you can have within driving distance - the relaxing beaches, the energy of the Triangle, the beauty of the mountains, and everything in between!