Rishika Desai, M.P.H., is a Senior Manager with Academy Health, where she is responsible for supporting Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF) grantmaking programs. Her work focuses on integrating evidence to make health-care systems in the United States more equitable and focused on people's goals and needs. Rishika manages and supports day-to-day activities of RWJF’s “Health Data for Action” and “Community Research for Health Equity” projects as well as other RWJF initiatives. Prior to joining Academy Health, Rishika worked as a Senior Associate at Milken Institute. In these roles, Desai engaged stakeholders in actionable, evidence-based policy solutions to improve health outcomes and reduce disease burden through health equity and quality improvement approaches. Rishika also has experience providing technical assistance to state and territorial health departments on the topics of overdose prevention, public health infrastructure, and performance improvement. She has a Master of Public Health degree from George Washington University, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from Arizona State University, and is a certified ASQ - Quality Improvement Associate.

Authored by Rishika Desai, M.P.H.

Blog Post

New Stanford Social Innovation Review Article Highlights Strategies for Funders to Embed Equity in Grantmaking

A new Stanford Social Innovation Review article describes lessons learned from the Community Research for Health Equity program, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and managed by AcademyHealth, and highlights strategies for funders to embrace equitable research grantmaking approaches to better support community-led research initiatives.