Deputy Director, Health Policy

Jennifer Ng’andu joined the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) in 2004. In her capacity as Deputy Director of the Health Policy Project, Ms. Ng’andu leads efforts to improve the health status of Latinos. She does this by advancing federal health proposals that address injustices in health care for Latinos. Specifically, Ms. Ng’andu concentrates on achieving parity in health care by increasing health coverage in the Latino community and improving access to quality health care.

As part of her work to enhance public health, Ms. Ng’andu strengthens anti-poverty initiatives and federal nutrition programs. In December 2006, she co-authored Sin Provecho: Latinos and Food Insecurity, raising the profile of hunger in the Latino community. Ms. Ng’andu’s media credits include a broad spectrum on radio, print, and television media including The New York Times, BBC, and The Washington Post. She received recognition for her work to eliminate racial and ethnic health care disparities in 2008, when presented with the 2008 Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust Leadership in Advocacy Award.

Outside of her work at NCLR, Ms. Ng’andu also engages in other activities to strengthen health care in the U.S. Currently, she sits on the National Physicians Alliance Board of Directors and Council of Consumers to encourage service, integrity, and advocacy among the medical professions. She also is a board member of the Herndon Alliance, an organization dedicated to the dissemination of information that ensures advocates can pursue strategies to make health care affordable and accessible for all Americans.

Prior to joining NCLR, Ms. Ng’andu worked at the National Immigration Law Center and helped to advance legislation that improved health and social services for low-income immigrants and increased educational opportunities for immigrant students. Ms. Ng’andu holds a B.S. in Psychology from Duke University.

Show full bio

Hide full bio